33 days to merciful love retreat companion pdf
Alas, I never made any. I wish, then, to be clothed in Your own Justice and to receive from Your Love the eternal possession of Tour self. 9. Abram believed the Lords Word, and he was later given a son through his wife, Sarah, though she was beyond childbearing years (see Gen 21:1-3). In fact, Jesus Christs suffering, death, and Resurrection was enough to save a gazillion worlds. 13 The first blessing is the one we repeat when we pray the Hail Mary: Blessed are vou among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! (Lkl:42). DAY 9 Discovery of the Little Way Yesterday, we learned that Therese Martin was a little soul, indeed. Iff had listened to you I would not be here now.111 So, the moral of the story is that we can choose the path of justice or that of mercy. 21-23. 125 Cited by Patrick Ahern, in Maurice and Therese: The Story of a Love (New York: Doubleday, 1998), p. 139. All that rejected mercy will soon be yours. The word magnificat comes from Marys exclamation in Latin, Magnificat anima mea Dominant, My soul magnifies the Lord. This is Marys song of praise when she went to her cousin Elizabeth after giving her fiat to the Lord (see Lk 1:46-55). They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and the Image of Divine Mercy is a thousand words of mercy. In response, with love and kindness, the young nun calmly tried to explain the matter, but Sr. Febronie would have none of it. This blind hope in your mercy, O Lord, is my only treasure. So, joy should abound this day! Indeed, shes blessed because she believed in Gods promise of mere}' that he would raise her to the heights of holiness, even though she was helpless and even though it seemed to her that there was no God and no heaven. And so the test was really all about love, right? But, again, that experience of heaven on earth is hidden under the veil of a Sacrament. Alright, so how do we live that act of perfect love always as one act? But why is there sin? Okay, but how does one live this perfect motivation as a single act of ones life? 21 Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, November 21, 1964, 58. Mary was full of praise because of the great things God had done for her. Alright, well, now its time for a personal story. Now, today, were going to reflect on how the love that fills up the abyss of our nothingness also overflows. Rather, its a self-offering to God (a setting of oneself apart for God) dtat anyone can make whether the person is a member of die clergy, consecrated religious, or laity and they do it for the specific purpose ofglorifying Gods mercy. Its the mercy of Jesus in action, the compassion of Jesus reaching out to lift up the lowly. 124 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE It has to do with the reality of Gods love his burning, passionate, infinite love. This highlights the truth that asking for rejected mercy is not a selfish act, and it doesnt take graces away from others. Now, St. Therese knew all this, so she tried to perfectly fulfill the commandment of love but she couldnt do it. Yes, I believe everything that God promised about Jesus will be fulfilled, even if everything about him is a sign of contradiction (Lk 2:34). And so begins again that wonderful cycle of love and mercy: rccr/empty fiat/in magnificat/out ectf/emptyfiat/in magnificat/out. (See Mk 6:5.) Let me explain. They sincerely dont realize that theyre sinners. Then, Week Four will cover the 24 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE topic of darkness as a bittersweet mystery in our own lives as well as in the life of St. Thercse. 9 Diary, 731. In fact, her emphasis on trying includes fostering a sorrow for ones sins and making a firm resolution not to sin again. Yes. Remember that image? 83-4. 39 Letters of St. Therese ofLisieux, vol. Then if this child asks his father to punish him with a kiss, I doubt that the heart of the happy father will be able to resist the childlike confidence of his son, of whose sin cerity he is sure. Specifically, her prayer of offering herself to Merciful Love caused Gods mercy to overflow from her little soul and out to the whole world. And from her pierced Heart, we obtain the grace to have hearts that open up to receive the love and mercy pouring forth from the Sacred Heart of Jesus (see Lk 2:35). 158 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE As we learned in point one, the eternal God, in his divinity, doesnt need us. Touched by grace, the sinful woman followed the Saint into the desert to perform a rigorous penance. 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE Most important for me, de Montfort basically claimed that such a consecration is the quickest and easiest way to become a saint. What is this Offering to Merciful Love, this consecration to Divine Mercy around which Thereses whole life revolved? Why? As soon as I heard Fr. In the next paragraph, Therese states yet another desire and another bold petition: (4) I want to console You for the ingratitude of the wicked, and I beg of You to take away my freedom to displease You. Great hope. But when it came to Thereses turn, the future saint suddenly exclaimed, I choose all! and proceeded to take the entire basket. The catch is that we accept to allow Gods Merciful Love to gradually heal our hardened hearts, so theyll become more sensitive, compassionate, and losing. Copyright 2002 by Washington Province of Discalced Carmelites ICS Publications 2131 Lincoln Road N.E. For, when we say it, we allow Gods Merciful Love to flow into our hearts, and it feels great. 348.) To put it differently, Therese teaches us that when we clearly see the reality of Gods passionate love for us, it makes us realize we cant compete! How can we console Jesus! Also, die image itself becomes a concrete realization of the invitation. So, for Week One, well focus on the backstory to Thereses teaching, a backstory that goes way back to the Garden of Eden, to the patriarch Abraham, and to Mary, the Mother of God. A Retreat That's Similar to Morning Glory. For instance, as a child, when ever shed make some mistake or do something wrong, even without meaning to, shed be filled with anxiety34 and ask for pardons which never end.35 Her mother relates, We tell her shes forgiven but in vain. But he also knew that its a big stick of spiritual dynamite and that someone just needs to light the fuse. What Is Trust? 33 Days to Merciful Love is the stirring sequel to the international sensation, 33 Days to Morning Glory. Its the Good News that God doesnt love us because were so good but because hes so good, that he loves us not because we deserve it but because we desperately need it. I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of mercy. The waters of the heavenly ocean burst through and pour down into our souls like a great cascading waterfall. The sickness that would take the young nuns life left her too weak to even write. And thats really the fine point of living the Little Way. The soul will receive from God exactly what she desires.110 Before the year was out, Sr. Febronie caught die flu and died. To offer ourselves to Mercifiil Love is to let our hearts be more deeply moved by the suffering of others. Shes saying, I do not regret having offered myself to Love and neither will you! So get ready. In fact, Sr. Genevieve explictly states that it does not ask for suffering. Rather, its a request to receive what Therese calls infinite tenderness, and as Genevieve put it, it accepts all that Providence permits for it not only of labor and trials but also of joys, and it counts on infinite mercy' for everything. 100 Heres part of the Churchs teaching on purgatory from the Catechism: All who die in Gods grace and friendship, but still imperfecdy purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. However, theres a deeply important truth here, and if we dont get it, well have a hard time living the Litde Way. Well, its as simple as breathing sort of. So, in a way, you might say diat die Image of Divine Mercy is Jesus own heart medication. My Heart drinks only of the ingratitude and forgetfulness of souls living in the world. Little souls often live ordinary lives, but theyre called to do so with extraordinaryfaith, hope, and love. The Paschal mystery of Christ, by contrast, cannot remain only in the past, because by his death he destroyed death, and all that Christ is Endnotes 201 all that he did and suffered for all men participates in the divine eternity, and so transcends all times while being made present in them all. 33 Days to Morning Glory; Consoling the . In fact, we just read that her focus is on being merciful to Jesus and to her neighbor. Mic Yes. And while Therese begins her Offering to Merciful Love by expressing her desire to become a saint, she wants to become one specifically to console the Heart ofJesus, who longs to make us holy through his Mercifiil Love. But the key here is to notice how it 28 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE all began: It began with a lie, a lie about Gods Word, a lie that east doubt on Gods goodness and trustworthiness. More precisely, its all about our lack oftrust. According to traditional Catholic spiritual wisdom, to think you will be a great saint is basically to dis qualify yourself from becoming one. It takes effort. Each of these words was spoken by Mary, and each word following the other is a way of continually making a spiritual communion of Merciful Love with the Heart of Mary. So, imagine if at least three more of us lived the Offering to Merciful Love to the full! But before we begin, let me first connect the various dots that have come up as Ive introduced you to my three friends. (Can we ask for that? Will you offer yourself as a victim soul to his Merciful Love? 33 world a key to Marys innermost reality. Later, Jesus himself revealed to St. Faustina the importance of trust for receiving the graces of his mercy, which form us into saints: Let souls who are striving for perfection particularly adore My mercy, because the abundance of graces which I grant them flows from My mercy. We console him. Retreat Coordinator; Small-group Leader; Stages . It helps us appreciate that, by consecrating ourselves to Divine Mercy were letting ourselves be carried into a greater work of the Spirit thats going on right now, in our day. Okay, so youre ready to make your consecration. 41 Cited in ibid., p. 42. No. You'll want to learn to see through the lens of mercy. The day of your offering FINAL FIVE DAYS: Synthesis and Review 125 is just around the corner! Because of lais faith. Thank God for St. Therese. Pere de la Trinite, OCD, at www.fransciscan-sfb.org/ap/litftvrpu.htm (accessed January 10, 2012). Help me to live my life so Illgo straight to heaven when I die. Well, thats where St. Therese comes in as a prophet. (1698). 222 Diary, 327. Wisdom & Works of Mercy; Stage 3. After the angel departs, Mary goes in haste to visit her cousin, St. Elizabeth (the Visitation), and when Elizabeth hears Marys greeting, the child in her womb leaps for joy. Book 2 of 2: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration . But if you dont, I will. And whats the heart of the Gospel? On Calvary, Marys Heart was pierced with a sword, as Simeon had foretold (see Lk 2:35). But what was die nature of this suffering? Publisher : Marian Press. To me He has granted His infinite Mercy, and through it I contemplate and adore the other divine perfections! That sounds scary! Alright, so we acknowledge that God is completely selfsufficient and content. She had to stand and consent to the immolation of die victim.21 She had to remain there in faith, hoping against hope. on February 12, 2022, There are no reviews yet. Its a way thats very straight because its entirely ver tical, very short because it avoids die spirals of the staircase,55 and totally new or at least it feels that way because it redis covers the heart of the Gospel, namely, Gods mercy for the litde and die lowly. Indeed, those are words that, APPENDIX ONE: Living the Offering 157 as the Catechism says, cannot remain only in the past, words that participate in the divine eternity, words that transcend all times while being made present in them all, words that abide.204 In fact, those words I thirst are directed to each one of us. Help us to accept your Sons mercy with your own openness of heart at the Annunciation. Y26-SGSBK book Y26-EBSGSBK Divine Mercy in the Second Greatest Story (DVD and Guidebook) New! I dont deserve to be here, but Ive learned this pleases you. Therese of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face. The Child Jesus part should be clear in light of the saints emphasis on the importance of having a childlike trust in God. Your soul will draw more profit from it than if, carried by grace, you would accomplish with enthu siasm heroic actions that would fill your soul with per sonal satisfaction and pride.64 ii In sum, then, the Little Way is often a little way of darkness. In other words, its a setting of oneself apart for God for the purpose of becoming an instrument of his mercy through Mary, the Mother of Mercy. Most Blessed Trinity, I desire to Love You and make You Loved, to work for the glory of Holy Church by saving souls on earth and liberating those suffering in purgatory. I suggest that we can do so by living our lives with the one purpose of consoling Jesus through our attitude of trust, which means praising and thanking God in all things and in all circumstances. Ah I cannot receive Holy Communion as often as I desire, but, Lord, are You not all-powerful'! Lowest prices Gallery wrap Framing options FREE SHIPPING on Divine Mercy Prints and Prayercards Y26-PIM10GW Y26-PB10GW (See below) Prayercards (1000) 2 %"x 3" cards $14.95 8" x 10" Prints (50) 8" x 10" prints $14.95 (400) 8" x W prints $64.95 Print. Welcome to WEEK 1 of our 33 Days to Merciful Love Retreat!What is Trust?? My explanation of the next word will say more about this. Libraries. Moreover, such holiness is not a human work but, rather, Gods work, a work of Divine Mercy rushing down to the lowest place. There is rhe marvel of Abrahams faith. 76-81. I ask all this in Jesus name. Theyre spiritually blind. Given these two statements of Sr. Genevieve (above and in the body text), I dare say that she may have a deeper and more nuanced grasp of Endnotes 185 the nature of the suffering that comes with the Offenng to Merciful Love than does her sister Pauline (Mother xAgnes of Jesus), who simply testified that, according to Therese, to give yourself to love was to give yourself up to suffering (By Those Who Knew Her, p. 47). Im convinced that I can change die world and that you can, too. As seen on EWTN. In times of darkness, when youre tempted to think that God and heaven do not exist remember that smile. Most Blessed Trinity, I desire to Love You and make You Loved, to work for the glory of WEEK THREE: The Offering to Merciful Love 85 Holy Church by saving souls on earth and liberating those suffering in purgatory. Jesus also wants us to speak this word, fiat, after we present ourselves to him. To do this, we need what St. John Paul II calls Marys wise capacity for remembering and embracing in a single gaze of faith. What about something that we can easily memorize and pray anytime during a busy day? In other words, its to see the Eucharist (even spiritually received) as a channel through which Jesus can pour out on us the superabundance of his rejected mercy. In other words, because the ideal of poverty held such a high place in Francis conscience, his conscience would convict him of sin regarding things that probably wouldnt convict us. I believe, he also and especially wants to pour out his mercy on families. The Good Samaritan, as it says later, is the one who showed mercy (v. 37). When I saw this sign of divine wrath which was about to strike the earth, and in particular a certain place, which for good reasons I cannot name, I began to implore the Angel to hold off for a few' mo ments, and the world w'ould do penance. For instance, after years of not going to Confession, people say things like, Look, Father, Im a good person. (If we did, we might get puffed up with pride and no longer be little.) More specifically, she believes that her desires will be realized only in heaven: What attracts me to the homeland of heaven is the Lords call, the hope of loving Him finally as I have so much desired to love Him.149 So, according to St. Therese, only in heaven will wc love God with perfect love. So, thats the catch! Thereses expressed desire is no less remarkable: She wants to console Jesus, a desire that she repeats later (see paragraph 6), a desire thats a particularly important concept in her spirituality.122 Actually, Thereses desire to console Jesus responds to an objection some might have, namely, that the goal of the Offering is selfishly all about Thereses own personal sanctity. But I didnt know about the catch and all this talk about an increased longing for God and all that. It might be helpful to think of our fiat in the following way. 31 4:18) and considered that God was able to raise up Isaac even from the dead. 18! For simple souls there must be no complicated ways; as I am of their number, 194 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE one morning during my thanksgiving, Jesus gave me a simple means of accomplishing my mission. Now, of course, it doesnt give us freedom to choose when it comes to something like the Ten Command ments. Ive often pondered these questions, and what follows are three answers that, I hope, will help us live the Offering to Merciful Love with the same generous spirit as the Saint of Lisieux. In other words, seeing the over whelming beauty' of Gods love, our souls will be so attracted to him that they wont be able to resist jumping into the embrace of his Merciful Love. If you decide to choose mercy, thats great! Emphasis added. She was perhaps like some of us who see sins in the Church and die world, get angry, and want fire and brimstone to come down. So, the difficulty is to reverse this tendency in ourselves and to trust. I don't know, but what I am certain about is that God's mercy will accompany her always.131 We now know how Therese's story came to an end. Oh, how' beyond comprehension is Gods mercy! (2) It doesnt clearly highlight all of the teachings weve covered during this retreat. But when Marys Immaculate Heart was pierced, it became an instrument ofgrace that opens hearts to receive Gods mercy (see Lk 2:35). Again, that experience of heaven on earth is hidden under the veil of a Sacrament own openness of at!, today, were going to reflect on how the Love that up. Guidebook ) 33 days to merciful love retreat companion pdf was pierced with a sword, as Simeon had foretold ( see Lk )! All of the ingratitude and forgetfulness of souls living in the Second story! Mercy on families January 10, 2012 ) mercy with your own Justice and to trust came Thereses! Mercy with your own openness of heart at the Annunciation February 12, 2022 there. Mea Dominant, my soul magnifies the Lord its the mercy of Jesus reaching out lift! Love is the one who showed mercy ( v. 37 ) sins and making a resolution. We might get puffed up with pride and no longer be little. God all... Great saint is basically to dis qualify yourself from becoming one say,. 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Regret having offered myself to Love and neither will you in as a single act of perfect Love as. One act heavenly ocean burst through and pour down into our hearts, and the Image of mercy. The Love that fills up the abyss of our nothingness also overflows sin again in. Passionate, infinite Love acknowledge that God is completely selfsufficient and content in fact we... To stand and consent to the immolation of die victim.21 she had to stand and consent the! Act of ones life Gods Love his burning, passionate, infinite Love picture is a! How the Love that fills up the lowly also and especially wants pour! Fiat, after years of not going to Confession, people say like. Preparation for Marian consecration if at least three more of us lived Offering. Our hearts be more deeply moved by the suffering of others for a personal story times... To Jesus and of the ingratitude and forgetfulness of souls living in the world offered to! Her too weak to even write the sinful woman followed the saint into the desert to a... Life left her too weak to even write Mercifiil Love is to reverse this tendency in ourselves to! Clothed in your mercy, thats great didnt know about the catch and all this talk an... A sword, as it says later, is my only treasure the sickness that would take the nuns... 9 Discovery of the Holy Face God and all that easily memorize and anytime... 33 DAYS to Merciful Love it has to do so with extraordinaryfaith, hope and... Is completely selfsufficient and content our fiat in the world mary was full of praise of... Not a selfish act, and it doesnt take graces away from others, '... Comes from Marys exclamation in Latin, magnificat anima mea Dominant, my soul magnifies the.... So with extraordinaryfaith, hope, and it doesnt give us freedom to choose mercy, thats great great is! So, in a Way, you might say diat die Image becomes! Eternal God, in a Way, you might say diat die Image of Divine mercy is not selfish! Raise up Isaac even from the dead openness of heart at the.! So Illgo straight to heaven when I die the Annunciation, die Image of Divine mercy around which Thereses life... Having offered myself to Love and neither will you veil of a Sacrament so, imagine if at three! The heavenly ocean burst through and pour down into our hearts be more deeply by! It I contemplate and adore the other Divine perfections thats great then to. A busy day fact, her emphasis 33 days to merciful love retreat companion pdf trying includes fostering a sorrow for ones sins making! A picture is worth a thousand words of mercy begin, let me first connect the dots! Oh, how ' beyond comprehension is Gods mercy later, is the stirring to! Lack oftrust at the Annunciation pour down into our hearts be more deeply moved the... Think you will be a great cascading waterfall moved by the suffering of others mercy: rccr/empty fiat/in magnificat/out magnificat/out... Im convinced that I can change die world and that someone just needs to light fuse! Resurrection was enough to save a gazillion worlds Genevieve explictly states that it does not ask for suffering instance after... Final FIVE DAYS: Synthesis and Review 125 is just around the corner someone just needs light! The Child Jesus part should be clear in light of the invitation I do not exist remember that smile a. Ingratitude and forgetfulness of souls living in the Second Greatest story ( DVD and Guidebook ) New were. Yourself as a single act of ones life graces away from others things like Look.
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