Sunday, September 29, 2019

Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel

Please say this prayer every day to protect yourself, your family and your community from the deceit of others and wicked acts of evil. Saint Faustina experienced Saint Michael's great protection.

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

O glorious prince Saint Michael, 
chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, 
guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, 
servant in the house of the Divine King
and our admirable conductor, 
you who shine with excellence
and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil,
who turn to you with confidence
and enable us by your gracious protection
to serve God more and more faithfully every day.

Courtesy of EWTN

Suffering and God's Protection

It is very often that we complain about tribulations and suffering. It comes from sheer disappointment of not being as much as we'd want to be or preventing us from doing something we'd want to do.

The complaint to God is heard, but does it change His Will? Probably not.

Read a few passages on suffering from Saint Faustina's diary. She is one who suffered immeasurably. Her goal was to do God's Will, even if it meant intense suffering. Saint Faustina saw promise in suffering and took others' suffering upon herself.

She also knew that offering her suffering was a gift back to God and would include His Divine Protection.

Pray to Saint Faustina to intercede for us in the midst of great suffering in our lives. She certainly understands the cross and helps carry it for us.

She writes in March 1937:

I suffer great pain at the sight of the sufferings of others. All these sufferings are reflected in my heart. I carry their torments in my heart so that it even wears me out physically. I would like all pains to fall upon me so as to bring relief to my neighbor.

Amid terrible torments, I fix my eyes on You, my God, and though a storm is gathering over my head, I know that the sun is not extinguished. Nor do I wonder at the deceitfulness of creatures, but I accept in advance whatever may happen. My lips are silent, while my ears are satiated with derision. I strive for silence in my heart amidst the greatest sufferings, and I protect myself against all attacks with the shield of Your Name. (Diary entries 1039 and 1040)