Divine Mercy Sunday

What?! No purgatory time?!

The Lord told St. Faustina concerning the Feast of Mercy:
"The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion
shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.”

You are invited to be free of the regrets, the guilt and have that second chance
at this extraordinary occasion of grace always the Sunday after Easter Sunday.

"...I saw two roads. One was broad, covered with sand and flowers, full of joy, music and all sorts of pleasures. People walked along it, dancing and enjoying themselves. They reached the end without realizing it. And at the end of the road there was a horrible precipice; that is, the abyss of hell. The souls fell blindly into it; as they walked, so they fell. And their number was so great that it was impossible to count them. And I saw the other road, or rather, a path, for it was narrow and strewn with thorns and rocks; and the people who walked along it had tears in their eyes, and all kinds of suffering befell them. Some fell down upon the rocks, but stood up immediately and went on. At the end of the road there was a magnificent garden filled with all sorts of happiness and all these souls entered there.

At the very first instant they forgot all their sufferings" (Diary 153).
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Note: Fr. Dellos is encouraging everyone to read St. Faustina’s Diary.
Make a goal for yourself even if it is a few pages a day.
St. Faustina’s Diary available in our Mother Marianne Book Shoppe.

The Divine Mercy Novena
Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said:
"These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."
In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her:
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy ... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls."
The different souls prayed for on each day of the novena are:
DAY 1 (Good Friday)  - All mankind, especially sinners
DAY 2 (Holy Saturday) - The souls of priests and religious
DAY 3 (Easter Sunday)  - All devout and faithful souls
DAY 4 (Easter Monday) - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
DAY 5 (Easter Tuesday) - The souls of separated brethren
DAY 6 (Easter Wednesday) - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children
DAY 7 (Easter Thursday) - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy
DAY 8 (Easter Friday) - The souls who are detained in purgatory;
DAY 9 (Easter Saturday) - The souls who have become lukewarm.
During the Solemn Novena leading to Divine Mercy Sunday, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy should be offered each day for the
day's intentions.

First Day
"Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me." Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.

Second Day
"Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and Religious, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind." Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service,* that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard -- upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.

Third Day
"Today bring to Me all Devout and Faithful Souls,
and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were a drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness." Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Fourth Day
"Today bring to Me those who do not believe in God and those who do not know Me,
I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy."
Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Fifth Day
"Today bring to Me the Souls of those who have separated themselves from My Church*,
and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion."   Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son's Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Sixth Day
Today bring to Me the Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little Children,
and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.
Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Seventh Day
Today bring to Me the Souls who especially venerate and glorify My Mercy, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death. Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God:
Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He, Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen.

Eighth Day
"Today bring to Me the Souls who are in the prison of Purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice." Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.

Ninth Day
"Today bring to Me the Souls who have become Lukewarm, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy." Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.

2018 Divine Mercy Cenacle! (above)

Fr. Chris Alar with SJSP Divine Mercy Cenacle

Cenacle of The Divine Mercy

God calls us to be people who love and care for each
other in community in imitation of life within the Holy Trinity. In all aspects of parish life, we want to pray together and grow spiritually together, love one another, support one another, learn and deepen our faith, and reach out in mission and ministry to others not yet in the Body of Christ. The message of Mercy is a call to holiness. The Lord wants to gather us in and form our hearts
in a merciful way.

Divine Mercy Cenacle
The 4th Wednesday of every month
@ 6:00pm SJSP Church Rectory
Contact: Sandra Maher (315) 717-5005

An Examination of Conscience ~ This Year of Mercy, dare to believe & live this truth: Jesus longs to forgive us. Prepare for confession in a new and heroic way. It is easy, safe, and sufficient to use the Ten Commandments as the guide for examining our own conscience. Sin is found whenever we fall short of living any of the Ten. So this is the place to start. Pope Francis challenges us to go deeper. In his letter on the Year of Mercy #17, the pope instructs all priests to carry the longing & heart of the Father who runs to kiss, embrace, & lavishly forgive his prodigal son. For all of us sinners, this is great joy. We already know how God desires to write our life story. Without fear, we can examine our lives boldly & courageously & bring to Jesus all our sins.

We now ask our Mother, Mary, to accompany is through our conscience
& help us to hear the quiet whisper of God’s merciful voice:

~Show me where & how I worship idols of power, fame, possessions.

~Show me where & how I seek my selfish desires, my advantage, my convenience.

~Show me where & how I long to control, to possess, to use others.

~Show me where & how my heart lusts after food, sex, comfort.

~Show me where & how my mind judges, boasts, condemns.

~Show me where & how I loathe, I harm, I hate myself, my neighbors,
& you my God.
~ Fr. Eric Cadin

St. Faustina's Diary

Five Elements of Devotion to The Divine Mercy
by Rev. Richard Dellos

Introduction: As we begin Lent, we will run a short series on the five elements of devotion to the Divine Mercy, concluding on Easter Sunday with a short section on the aim of the Divine Mercy Devotion. The material has been taken from the Diary of St. Faustina and will help us put our mission statement into
practice which is as follows:

“We are Eucharistic Apostles of the Divine Mercy patterned after our Patroness, Saint Marianne Cope.”

#1 The Image. The Risen Christ, portrayed with His heart from which flows two large rays, one red the other pale is signed, “Jesus, I trust in You!” is to be solemnly manifested on the Feast of Mercy, the Sunday after Easter, when Jesus imparts the origin of Baptism and Penance as He appears in the Upper Room as the Risen Christ saying to the Apostles “Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven; whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.” Jesus imparts the gift of peace at the price of His Passion and death on a cross. The events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday tell us of the fullness of God’s love for all mankind.

Both the blood and the water are symbolized which make us righteous and give us life and which are to become a shelter for us, protecting us from evil. “Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter.” (Diary 299) We are both purified (by Baptism and Penance) and nourished (by the Eucharist). The water also signifies all the graces of the Holy Spirit, as well as, the New Covenant of God with the world in the blood of Christ. In the image of the Divine Mercy, we see the explicit revelation of God’s love for humankind through the Pascal Mystery.

By trusting in the Mercy of Christ, we can pass on the mercy to others with the spiritual and corporal works of Mercy. The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity; it is also a work of justice pleasing to God. (Faith without works is dead.) “Blessed are the merciful; they shall obtain Mercy.”

Many graces are granted to souls who venerate this image. Our Lord Promises to all who trust in His mercy, the gift of eternal salvation, the grace of a happy death, and all other possible graces that people will ask of Him!

#2 The Feast of Divine Mercy. This ranks first of all the elements of the Divine Mercy devotion revealed to St. Faustina and requested by the Lord Jesus, Himself. He specifically designates that the feast itself be celebrated on the First Sunday after Easter as the Feast of Mercy and that on that day itself the Image of the Divine Mercy is to be solemnly blessed.

There is a close and integral relationship between the mysteries of the Pascal Mystery and the Divine Mercy. This close and integral relationship is further emphasized by the Novena of the Chaplet to the Divine Mercy beginning on Good Friday as a preparation for the feast (nine days to the First Sunday of Easter).

The feast is a time of grace for all people and a refuge and shelter for all souls--especially for poor sinners.

Notice the great promises made by Our Lord for all who take this feast seriously. (1) Complete remission of sins and punishment due to those sins is granted to all who approach the fount of life on this day (plenary indulgence). (2) The depths of the Lord’s tender mercy are open on this day. Those who approach the fount of mercy on the Feast of Mercy will experience a whole ocean of mercy poured out. Let no soul fear to draw near to Jesus.

The condition that is required for the Divine Mercy devotion is both trust in God’s goodness and active love toward neighbor. Also, one must be in the state of grace and receive absolution in a sacramental Confession and Holy Communion. It is about turning with confidence to the mercy of God.

On this Feast of Mercy, priests are to tell everyone about God’s great and unfathomable mercy.

#3 The Chaplet, a Prayer of Atonement for Sins and to Appease God’s Wrath. In this prayer, we pray for the atonement of not only our sins, but for those of our loved ones and even the sins of the entire world. We are appealing to God’s unconditional love as we unite ourselves with the sacrifice of Jesus. We offer to God the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus.

We are actually doing a great work of mercy as we request mercy for us and the whole world. (Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.) We are also blessed with God’s mercy for ourselves, by performing the work of mercy, interceding that God will have mercy on the world. Our prayer should be full of trust, humility, perseverance, and be in conformity to God’s will. When this is done we,

ourselves, will experience the grace of conversion and a peaceful death. Those who are dying will also benefit by God’s grace enveloping the soul. God’s anger will be placated for them. Whatever we ask for will be granted by saying the chaplet with faith. (Diary 1541)

Also, by saying the Chaplet, we are performing the great work of mercy by bringing humankind closer to Him. (Diary 929) Those who say the Chaplet will be blessed during their own lifetime and especially at the hour of their death by the wonderful embrace and washing of the Divine Mercy.

#4 The Hour of Mercy. We are called to honor the time and hour of Christ’s death—three o’clock in the afternoon. At this time each afternoon, hearing the clock strike three, we immediately immerse ourselves in God’s mercy; we adore it, and take time to glorify it. We invoke it’s omnipotence for the whole world and particularly for POOR SINNERS. It was at the three o’clock hour that Mercy was opened wide for every soul.

It is fitting to pray the Stations of the Cross or visit a chapel to adore the heart of Jesus, full of mercy at this time. Wherever you happen to be you can immerse yourself in prayer. Praying to Jesus at this time and appealing to the value and merits of Christ’s passion, we can ask anything for ourselves or for others.

This is the hour mercy triumphed over justice. This is the hour of grace for the whole world.

#5 Spread the Honor of the Divine Mercy. Those who spread this devotion will be blessed by being protected from evil. They will enjoy the honor of being shielded both during their entire life and at the hour of death—as a mother shields her infant from all harm, God will be a merciful savior to all who spread the honor of mercy—and not a Judge.

The spread of this devotion includes a horizontal element of reaching out to our neighbor as well as the vertical dimension of trusting in God. We, the recipients of God’s mercy, will overflow with the same mercy to touch others by our deeds, works, and prayers. The Diary (742) urges us to always and everywhere show God’s mercy to others, never shrinking, absolving, or excusing ourselves from it. Christ wants those who worship Him to perform at least once act of love of neighbor in the course of each day.

To spread the honor of the Divine Mercy does not so much require many words, but rather an attitude of trust in God and becoming a person who is ever more merciful day-by-day.

The Aim of the Divine Mercy Devotion

The purpose of this devotion is for the Church’s renewal of its spiritual and religious life in the Spirit of love and mercy. The Diary speaks of a “new congregation.” An evolution may be traced from the contemplative to an active order as well.

First of all, the entire Church is united by God Himself in the mystery of His Mercy. It is also united into one supernatural family by the people’s longing to reflect His Mercy in their own hearts and works. This is how all souls can reflect God’s glory, living by trust and mercy; proclaiming the incomprehensible mystery of His Mercy by their lives and words. This is how we can gain for the world the unfathomable mercy of God.

Powerful Stuff! Jesus to St. Faustina on Spiritual Warfare:
25 Secrets

By Kathleen Beckman

Cracow-Pradnik, June 2, 1938, the Lord Jesus directed a young Polish Sister of Mercy on a three-day retreat. Faustina Kowalska painstakingly recorded Christ’s instruction in her diary that is a mystical manual on prayer and Divine Mercy. Having read the Diary a few times in the past 20 years, I had forgotten about the unique retreat that Christ gave on the subject of spiritual warfare. Then, recently, I was invited to lead a retreat in Trinidad based on Christ’s “Conference on Spiritual Warfare” as presented in the Diary. The Sanctuary of the Holy Family, an amazing group of lay leaders in service to the Archbishop and priests, sponsored the retreat in the Archdiocese of Trinidad and we filled the Seminary of St. John Vianney to ponder this teaching.

Here are the secret whispers of Jesus to his little bride Faustina on how to protect herself from the attacks of the devil. These instructions became Faustina’s weapon in fighting the good fight.

Jesus began, “My daughter, I want to teach you about spiritual warfare” (1760).
(The Lord’s words are in bold text; my comments follow.)

1. Never trust in yourself but abandon yourself totally to My will.

Trust is a spiritual weapon. Trust is part of the shield of faith that St. Paul mentions in chapter six of Ephesians: the armor of God. Abandonment to God’s will is an act of trust; faith in action dispels evil spirits.

2. In desolation, darkness and various doubts, have recourse to Me and to your spiritual director. He will always answer you in my name.

In times of spiritual warfare, immediately pray to Jesus. Invoke His Holy Name that is feared in the netherworld. Bring darkness into the light by telling a spiritual director or confessor and follow his instruction.

3. Do not bargain with any temptation; lock yourself immediately in My Heart.

In the Garden of Eden, Eve bargained with the devil and lost. We have recourse to the refuge of the Sacred Heart. In running to Christ, we turn our backs on the demonic.

4. At the first opportunity, reveal the temptation to the confessor.

A good confession, a good confessor, and a good penitent are a recipe for victory over temptation and demonic oppression—without fail.

5. Put your self-love in the last place, so that it does not taint your deeds.

Self-love is natural but it should be ordered, free of pride. Humility defeats the devil that is perfect pride. Satan tempts us to disordered self-love to lead us into his pool of pride.

6. Bear with yourself with great patience.

Patience is a secret weapon that helps us to keep our peace of soul even in the great storms of life. Bearing with oneself is part of humility and trust. The devil tempts us to impatience, to turn against our selves so we become angry. See yourself from God’s view. He is infinitely patient.

7. Do not neglect interior mortifications.

Scripture teaches that some demons can only be evicted by prayer and fasting. Interior mortifications are weapons of warfare. They can be small sacrifices offered with great love. The power of sacrificial love evicts the enemy.

8. Always justify to yourself the opinions of your superiors and of your confessor.

Christ is speaking to St. Faustina who lives in a convent. But we all have people in authority over us. The devil aims to divide and conquer so humble obedience to authentic authority is a spiritual weapon.

9. Shun murmurs like a plague.

The tongue is a powerful vessel that can do great harm. Murmuring, gossiping, is never of God. The devil is a liar who stirs up false accusations and gossip that can kill a person’s reputation. Shun murmurs!

10. Let all act as they like; you are to act, as I want you to.

To mind one’s own business is key in spiritual warfare. The devil is a busybody attempting to drag everyone down. Please God and let the opinions of others go by the wayside.

11. Observe the rule as faithfully as you can.

Jesus is referring to the rule of a Religious Order here. Most of us have made some vow before God and Church and we should be faithful our promises—i.e. Marriage vows and baptismal vows. Satan tempts to infidelity, lawlessness and disobedience. Fidelity is a weapon for victory.

12. If someone causes you trouble, think what good you can do for the person who caused you to suffer.

Being a vessel of divine mercy is a weapon for good and for defeating evil. The devil is about hatred, rage, revenge, and unforgiveness. Others have hurt us all at some time. What good can we do in return? Returning a blessing breaks curses.

13. Do not pour out your feelings.

A talkative soul will more easily be attacked by the devil. Pour out your feelings to the Lord only. Remember, the good and evil spirits hear what you say aloud. Feelings are fleeting. Truth is the compass. Interior recollection is a spiritual armor.

14. Be silent when you are rebuked.

Most of us have been rebuked at some time. We have no control over that but we can control our response. The need to be right all the time can lead into demonic traps. God knows the truth. Let it go. Silence is a protection. The devil can use self-righteousness to trip us up also.

15. Do not ask everyone’s opinion, but only the opinion of your confessor; be as frank and simple as a child with him.

Simplicity of life can drive out demons. Honesty is a weapon to defeat Satan, the Liar. When we lie we put a foot in his camp and he will try to seduce us all the more.

16. Do not become discouraged by ingratitude.

No one likes to be taken for granted. But when we are met with ingratitude or insensitivity, the spirit of discouragement can weigh us down. Resist all discouragement for it is never of God. It is one of the devil’s most effective temptations. Gratitude in all things wins the day.

17. Do not examine with curiosity the roads down which I lead you.

The need to know, and curiosity about the future is a temptation that has led too many people into the backrooms of psychics, witches, etc. Choose to walk in faith. Decide to trust in God who leads you on the path to heaven. Resist the spirit of curiosity always.

18. When boredom and discouragement beat against your heart, run away from yourself and hide in My heart.

Jesus delivers the same message a second time. Now He refers to boredom. Earlier in the Diary he told St. Faustina that the devil most easily tempts idle souls. Beware of boredom, a spirit of lethargy, or acedia—the noonday devil. Idle souls are easy prey for demons. Be about the business of God.

19. Do not fear struggle; courage itself often intimidates temptations, and they dare not attack us.

Fear is the second most common tactic of the devil (pride is the first). Courage intimidates the devil—he will flee in the face of persevering courage that stands on Jesus, the rock. All people struggle, God is our provision.

20. Always fight with the deep conviction that I am with you.

Jesus instructs a Sister in a convent to “fight” with conviction. She can do so because Christ accompanies her. Christians are called to fight with conviction against all demonic tactics. The devil tries to terrorize souls, demonic terrorism—resist! Invoke the Holy Sprit throughout the day.

21. Do not be guided by feeling, because it is not always under your control; but all merit lies in the will.

All merit lies in the will because love is an act of the will. We are completely free in Christ. We must make a choice, a decision for good or evil. What camp do we live in?

22. Always depend upon your superiors, even in the smallest things.

Christ is instructing a Religious here. But, we all have the Lord as our Superior. Dependence upon God is a weapon of spiritual warfare because we cannot win on our own. Proclaiming Christ’s victory over evil is part of intentional discipleship. Christ came to defeat death & evil. Proclaim Him!

23. I will not delude you with prospects of peace and consolations; on the contrary, prepare for great battles.

St. Faustina suffered physically and spiritually. She was prepared for great battles by the grace of God who upheld her. Christ clearly instructs us in scripture to be prepared for great battles, to put on God’s armor and resist the devil. Be vigilant and discerning always.

24. Know that you are on a great stage where all heaven and earth are watching you.

We are all on a great stage where heaven and earth are watching. What message is our life giving? What radiates from us—shades of light, darkness or grey? The way we live attracts more light or more darkness. If the devil does not succeed in pulling us into darkness, he tries to keep us in the category of the lukewarm, which is not pleasing to God.

25. Fight like a knight, so I can reward you. Do not be unduly fearful, because you are not alone.

The Lord’s words to St. Faustina can become our mantra: Fight like a knight! A knight for Christ knows well the cause that he fights for, the nobility of his mission, the King who he serves, and with blessed assuredness of the victory, he fights to the end, even at the cost of his life. If a young, uneducated, simple Polish nun, united to Christ, can fight like a knight, every Christian can do the same. Trust is victorious.

Quotes from the Diary of St. Faustina are copyrighted by the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, Stockbridge, Mass.

For more information on “fighting like a knight” please visit www.foundationforpriests.org spiritual warfare section.