It is not really a question of trust in God at all, for we want very much to trust Him; it is really a question of our ultimate believe in His existence and His providence, and it demands the purest act of faith.

For my part, I was brought to make this perfect act of faith, this act of complete self  abandonment to His will, of total trust and in His love and concern for me and His desire to sustain and protect me, by the experience of a complete despair of my own powers and abilities that had preceded it. I knew I could no longer trust myself, and it seemed only sensible then to trust totally in God. It was the grace God has been offering me all my life, but which I had never really had the courage to accept in full…

I could never find it in me to give up self completely. There were always boundaries beyond which I would not go, little hedges marking out what I knew in the depths of my being as a point of no return. God and His providence has been constant and His grace, always providing opportunities for this act of perfect faith and trust in Him, always urging me to let go of the reins and trust in Him alone. I had trusted Him, I had cooperated with His grace but only up to a point. Only when I reached a point of total bankruptcy of my own powers had I at last surrendered.

That moment, that experience, completely changed me I can say it now in all sincerity without false modesty, without a sense either of exaggeration or embarrassment. I have to call it a conversion experience; it was at once a death and resurrection.

+Fr. Walter Ciszek,

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Ave Maria Meditations

A soul of faith meets God not only in prayer, but seeing Him at all things, in all things it finds Him; thus it can keep itself in contact with Him even in the midst of occupations. The spirit of faith makes it penetrate the opaqueness of creatures and occurrences so that it always find God. Secondary causes become transparent to it, enable it to discover at once the first cause, God, who is present and operating everywhere.

To be able to recognize and meet God in every creature, even in the ones that hurt us, offend us, or make us suffer, and in every happening, even the most disagreeable, painful, and disturbing ones, this is a great secret of the interior life. Then the world becomes an open book, on every page of which is written in large letters the one word: God.

Before God, His will, His permission, His plans, everything else become secondary; we see how stupid it is to fix our gaze on creatures, which are, as it were, only a veil which hides the Creator. However, we need assiduous practice before we can reach such deep faith…

In the duties of my state in life or in the orders of superiors, I can see the expression of God’s will in all circumstances which cause me boredom, uneasiness, suffering, increase of labor, or change of plans. I must learn to see them as the many means which God is using to make me practice virtue, patience, generosity, chastity. My hours of prayer must serve to show me all the details of my life in the supernatural light, so I may always be able to find our Lord in them.

+Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalene

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Give me the grace, Good Lord: To set the world at naught. To set the mind firmly on You and not to hang upon the words of men’s mouths. To be content to be solitary. Not to long for worldly pleasures. Little by little utterly to cast off the world and rid my mind of all its business; gladly to be thinking of God, piteously to call for His help. To lean into the comfort of God. Busily to labor to love Him.

To humble myself under the mighty hand of God. To bewail my sins and, for the purging of them, patiently to suffer adversity. Gladly to bear my purgatory here. To be joyful in tribulations. To walk the narrow way that leads to life.

To have the “last thing” in remembrance. To have ever before my eyes my death that is ever at hand. To make death no stranger to me. To foresee and consider the everlasting fire of Hell. To pray for pardon before the judge comes. To have continually in mind the passion that Christ suffered for me. For His benefits unceasingly to give Him thanks.

Give me the grace to long for Your Holy Sacraments, and especially to rejoice in the presence of Your Body, sweet Savior Christ, in the Holy Sacrament of the altar. Amen.

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Ave Maria Meditations

“Dearest children, I desire very much to tell you, to repeat for you, now good the Immaculate is. That way I could remove forever from your little hearts all sadness, despondency and discouragement. The word “Maria” spoken by a soul steeped in doubts, aridity and even misfortune due to sin re-echoes in her heart, which loves us very much.”

“And the greater the unhappiness of a soul sunk in its faults, the more solicitous is the care of her, the Refuge of us poor sinners. Never worry that you do not feel this love. If you have the will to love, you already give a proof that you love. What counts is the will to love. External feeling is also a fruit of grace, but it does not always follow the will.”

“Sometimes, my dear ones, the thought, a sad longing, as if a plea or a complaint, may occur to you: “Does the Immaculate still love me?” Most beloved children! I tell you all and each one individually, in her name (mark that: in her name!), she loves every one of you. She loves you very much and at every moment, with no exception. This, my dearest children, I repeat for you in her name.”

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Some quotes from our Lord to Saint Faustina:  Speak to the world about My mercy. It is a sign for the end times. After it will come the day of justice. You will prepare the world for my final coming. Tell souls about this great mercy of Mine, because the awful day, the day of My justice is near.

Before the day of justice, I am sending the day of mercy. I am prolonging the time of mercy for the sake of sinners. But woe to them if they do not recognize this time of My visitation. While there is still time, let them have recourse to the fountain of My mercy. He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy, must pass through the door of My justice.

from the Diary of St. Faustina

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It is easier to say than it is to do sometimes when we think about the need to trust in God.  But thinking about His mercy which is an attribute so dear to His Heart can help us. Jesus said, “Come to Me all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). That rest is another word for peace, peace in our souls. For without turning to God, it is too easy to be swallowed up by the situations and circumstances that are beyond our control and we have no peace.

Many people have known unemployment, school struggles, family issues, loneliness, fear, and even depression with all that has been happening in this world.  So much has changed in the past year.  We may feel helpless or controlled. We have not always been able to receive the Sacraments. Dealing with so many difficulties, sufferings or illness even, is often beyond our human strength alone; we need God. This is why St. Peter reminded us to “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (Pet 5:7).

Many have probably seen the image of the Divine Mercy and the words Jesus asked St. Faustina to put with the image: Jesus, I trust in You. This trust is not a feeling but is an act of the will just as love is. Jesus told this Saint that “When  a soul approaches Me with trust, I fill it with an abundance of graces.” In this time of uncertainty, let us turn to the Lord and say, “O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a font of mercy for us, I trust in You.” And also perhaps “My Jesus, mercy!”  We can also turn to Our Lady of Mercy in times of difficulty and come to know her motherly help.  Her rosary especially is a great spiritual aid for us.

Ave Maria!

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Oh holy Mother, most affected by the bitter sorrow which you endured at the foot of the Cross during the three hours agony of Jesus: help to assist all of us, the children of your sorrows, in our last agony.  That through your intersession we may pass from the bed of death to form a crown for you in the heavenly paradise.

Hail Mary full of Grace etc.

O Mary Mother of grace, Mother of mercy: protect us from the enemy and receive us at the hour of death.

From sudden and un-looked for death, O Lord deliver us. From the snares of the devil, O Lord deliver us.  From everlasting death,  O Lord, deliver us.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph I give you my heart and my soul. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph assist me in my last agony. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.

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Armor of God: prayer from Ephesians 6:10-20

Helmet of Salvation: Lord, I chose to put on the helmet of salvation today, in order to protect my thinking. I want to think proper thoughts of You, others, and myself. I want all my spoken and unspoken thoughts to be pleasing to You, Lord, I do not want thoughts that lead me to temptation of sin. Thank You, Lord, for the Helmet of Salvation. (Remember, the battle begins in the mind.)

Breastplate of Righteousness and God’s Approval: Lord, I want to put on the breastplate of righteousness and God’s approval today. Protect my emotions. I only want to feel what You want me to feel. Don’t let me react by my feelings but let me respond to the basis of who I am in You, Lord Jesus Christ. I thank You for the breastplate of righteousness and God’s approval.

Gird Loins with Truth: We must know the Word of God (scripture) because it is from scripture where we find the truth. Lord, I want to put on the girdle of truth today.  Protect me from Satan’s lies. I want to know the truth and apply the truth to my life. Lord, grant me discernment, that when I listen to people, I may be able to discern what is truth and what is false.  Thank You, Lord, for the girdle of truth.

Sandals of Peace: I want to thank You Lord today that I am putting on the sandals of peace wherever I may go or wherever You may send me. I want to be a peacemaker. I want to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in such a fashion that I may be used as a tool of God. Lord, I want to be a peacemaker. Blessed are the peacemakers.

Shield of Faith: Lord, I want to thank You for your shield of faith today. No matter how many fiery missiles(arrows) satan throws at me today, no matter how intense or how bad temptations come my way, I want to thank You, Lord, for the shield of faith that I can hide behind. I stand firm upon the Rock of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our faith. Faith is a gift from Him, and He says above all, take on the shield of faith. It is our faith that makes us victorious. Thank You, Jesus, that today I have the shield of faith and I praise You for it.

The Sword of the Spirit: Lord, I want to thank You today for the Word of God. I thank You Lord, that Your Word is a two-edged sword. The way I am to use it is by sharing it with others who need to be saved. The sword of God is an offensive weapon. It touches the Spirit deep down in the heart where it convicts and turns people to God. For the believer, the word of God does not condemn us, it convicts us. It is also a defensive weapon when a believer is attacked. All they have to do is stand firm on God’s promises. (This is why we must know scripture.)

I thank You Lord, and if I am attacked today, I will stand firm on the promises of God. Lord, I promise to review the armor You have provided for me to use against the evil one, and I will discern my personal strengths and weaknesses and make adjustments accordingly. I will prepare for battle.

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Litany of Divine Mercy:  Let the doubting soul read these considerations on Divine Mercy and become trusting.

Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the bosom of the Father, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, fount gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, unfathomed by any intellect, human or angelic, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, from which wells forth all life and happiness, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, better than the heavens, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe, I trust in You

Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of the Incarnate Word, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially for sinners, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Sacred Host, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in the founding of Holy Church, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, I trust in You.

 Divine Mercy, in our justification through Jesus Christ, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, accompanying us through our whole life, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment of our life, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, shielding us from the fire of hell, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in the conversion of hardened sinners, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, astonishment for Angels, incomprehensible to Saints, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, unfathomed in all the mysteries of God, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in calling us forth from nothingness to existence, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of His hands, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, crown of all of God’s handiwork, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in which we are all immersed, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, only hope for despairing souls, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, repose of hearts, peace amidst fear, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, delight and ecstasy of holy souls, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope, I trust in You.

Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, Entry #949

+ Eternal God, in whom mercy is unfathomable and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy, itself” (Diary 950).

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From the Diary of St. Faustina and appropriate for this time of Eucharistic Revival:

All the good that is in me is due to Holy Communion. … Herein lies the whole secret of my sanctity. … One thing alone sustains me and that is Holy Communion. From it I draw my strength; in it is all my comfort. … Jesus concealed in the host is everything to me. … I would not know how to give glory to God if I did not have the Eucharist in my heart. …O living Host, my one and only strength, fountain of love and mercy, embrace the whole world, and fortify faint souls. Oh blessed be the instant and the moment when Jesus left us His most merciful Heart!

“The most solemn moment of my life is the moment when I receive Holy Communion. I long for each Holy Communion, and for every Holy Communion I give thanks to the Most Holy Trinity.” (Diary, 1804)

I find myself so weak that were it not for Holy Communion I would fall continually. One thing alone sustains me, and that is Holy Communion. From it I draw my strength; in it is all my comfort. I fear life on days when I do not receive Holy Communion. I fear my own self. Jesus concealed in the Host is everything to me. From the tabernacle I draw strength, power, courage and light. Here, I seek consolation in time of anguish. I would not know how to give glory to God if I did not have the Eucharist in my heart.  (Diary, 1037)

That same day, when I was in church waiting for confession, I saw the same rays issuing from the monstrance and spreading throughout the church.  This lasted all through the service.  After the Benediction, the rays shone out to both sides and returned again to the monstrance.  Their appearance was bright and transparent like crystal.  I asked Jesus that He deign to light the fire of His love in all souls that were cold.  Beneath these rays a heart will grow warm even if it were like a block of ice; even if it were hard as a rock, it will crumble into dust.  (370)

O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus, I trust in You!

My Heart overflows with great mercy for souls, and especially for poor sinners.  If only they could understand that I am the best of Fathers to them and that it is for them that the Blood and Water flowed from My Heart as from a fount overflowing with mercy.  For them I dwell in the tabernacle as King of Mercy.  I desire to bestow My graces upon souls, but they do not want to accept them.  You, at least, come to Me as often as possible and take these graces they do not want to accept.  In this way you will console My Heart.  Oh, how indifferent are souls to so much goodness, to so many proofs of love! My Heart drinks only of the ingratitude and forgetfulness of souls living in the world.  They have time for everything, but they have no time to come to Me for graces.  (367)

 After Communion today, Jesus told me how much He desires to come to human hearts.  I desire to unite Myself with human souls; My great delight is to unite Myself with souls.  Know, My daughter, that when I come to a human heart in Holy Communion, My hands are full of all kinds of graces which I want to give to the soul.  But souls do not even pay any attention to Me; they leave Me to Myself and busy themselves with other things.  Oh, how sad I am that souls do not recognize Love!  They treat Me as a dead object.  (1385)

Behold, for you I have established a throne of mercy on earth – the tabernacle – and from this throne I desire to enter into your heart.  I am not surrounded by a retinue or guards.  You can come to me at any moment, at any time; I want to speak to you and desire to grant you grace. (1485)

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