Praying for you now Sanctus.. and will offer rosaries and Mass tomorrow too. God holds you in His arms May you feel it even through your suffering.
Many prayers. I am sorry for your current struggles and will pray for you. I believe you very eloquently described the subjective experience of the current nature of existence/life at this time. Call it the chastisement, purification, supernatural blindness of men, etc. It's all so bizarre and can be disheartening. What I love more is how you describe how you always pull through by the prayers of others, by compassion and then miracles come. This has very much been my experience as well, though not always being able to put words to it. But it has been hard to put a name to it, not that I have discovered one. I am sure there exists one in the church already, possibly even in scripture. But also that a posture of compassion can really take one through it all. I couldn't describe it before your post, so thank you for that. Because to me it seems to be one large phenomena that paints everything with the same brush. I can look at different things, but I still see the same phenomena permeating it. Everyone reacting differently to it. So it becomes easier to be compassionate, because I can understand it better. I am going to work at this. Thank you.
Happy Feast Day, St Faustina. 10 quotes on suffering and humility from the diary of St. Faustina Kowalska On Oct. 5 Catholics around the world celebrate the feast of St. Faustina Kowalska, the polish nun who received the image of divine mercy during revelations from Jesus. St. Faustina was born Helena Kowalska on Aug. 25, 1905, to a poor but devout Polish family. At the age of 20, with very little education and having been rejected from several other convents because of her poverty and lack of education, Helen entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. There, she took the name Faustina. Jesus appeared to St. Faustina 14 times, and with each vision and conversation she had with him, she recorded it in her diary, called “Divine Mercy in My Soul.” In her diary, she wrote about the words she received from Jesus and his message of divine mercy for the world, her own suffering, and her spiritual life. Here are 10 quotes about suffering and humility from St. Faustina’s diary: “Suffering is a great grace; through suffering the soul becomes like the Savior; in suffering love becomes crystallized; the greater the suffering, the purer the love.” “Jesus loves hidden souls. A hidden flower is the most fragrant. I must strive to make the interior of my soul a resting place for the heart of Jesus.” “Some day, we will know the value of suffering, but then we will no longer be able to suffer.” “In difficult moments, I will fix my gaze upon the silent heart of Jesus, stretched upon the cross, and from the exploding flames of his merciful heart will flow down upon me power and strength to keep fighting.” “The Holy Spirit does not speak to a soul that is distracted and garrulous. He speaks by his quiet inspirations to a soul that is recollected, to a soul that knows how to keep silence.” “A humble soul does not trust itself but places all its confidence in God. God defends the humble soul and lets himself into its secrets, and the soul abides in unsurpassable happiness which no one can comprehend.” “Have great confidence; God is always our Father, even when he sends us trials.” “He who knows how to forgive prepares for himself many graces from God. As often as I look upon the cross, so often will I forgive with all my heart.” “Suffering is the greatest treasure on earth; it purifies the soul. In suffering, we learn who our true friend is.” “God, who is light itself, lives in a pure and humble heart, and all sufferings and adversities serve but to reveal the soul’s holiness.”
I was joyful today after Confession during which the Blessed Sacrament was exposed. Later today we found out our son-in-law has just been suspended from work. The situation intensifies. Please spare a prayer for my daughters family once again.
I am in a spiritual funk. A dark night of the soul. There is just too much all at the same time. I'm struggling with everything, hope, faith, family, the past, my prayers and devotions are as dry as the deepest desert. Sick and tired of being sick and tired. The odd joy-filled moments are lost in the daily crosses. Attacks are constant and all encompassing. Please pray for me
Such a difficult time for you! Starting today I will accompany you through a novena, asking the Little Flower to lift you and all your situations up to the Lord.
Sparrow, do you have anytime to spend in solitude with the Lord? Complete silence in front of the Tabernacle. This daily practice does wonders to slow our minds and strengthen us in the spiritual battle. I also find a monthly 24 hour poustinia a great help with the interior spiritual battle. I found a little convent that I only pay $40 a night. Fast, pray and no media. The rest of the days go so much smoother. Perhaps, you do some of these things already. Praying for you
I will. I have been there. I understand. My RX for such a funk is to pray the psalms. For me it is like rain in the desert. Or sing them out loud. " For you are my God--You alone are my hope--defend me O Lord..." psalm 16. Another one that comforts me is (i think) psalm 62. " only in God will my soul be at rest--in Him lies my hope my salvation--He alone is my Rock of refuge. My strength .. my glory my God...." Sending up prayers.
