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)

Divine Mercy Feast Day Is Today. Jesus Lives; Jesus Saves Souls

Today is a most blessed day in the Roman Catholic Church. It is the solemn feast of Divine Mercy.

It is the day when God's unfathomable Mercy and Goodness enter our hearts if we TRUST in Him. The more we trust, the more graces we receive.

Be sure to go to make a good confession. When you do, you leave those sins in the past. You are freed. Attend Holy Mass and receive Holy Communion. Pray for God's Mercy on you, your family and for the world.

Watch live the events at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Cracow-Lagiewniki, where the image of The Divine Mercy and Saint Faustina's tomb reside.

https://livestream.com/accounts/11477776/events/3773195

From Saint Faustina's Diary:

November 5, 1934. One morning, when it was my duty to open the gate to let out our people who deliver baked goods, I entered the little chapel to visit Jesus for a minute and to renew the intentions of the day. Today, Jesus, I offer You all my sufferings, mortifications and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father, so that he may approve the Feast of mercy. But, Jesus, I have one more word to say to You; I am very surprised that You bid me to talk about this Feast of mercy, for they tell me that there is already such a feast and so why should I talk about it? And Jesus said to me, And who knows anything about this feast? No one! Even those who should be proclaiming My mercy and teaching people about it often do not know about it themselves. That is why I want the image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it.

Make a novena for the Holy Father's intention. It should consist of thirty-three acts; that is, repetition that many times of the short prayer  -- which I have taught you -- to The Divine Mercy. (Diary entry 341)

Spread the message of Mercy and pray daily the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy.

Divine Mercy Day Is Almost Here

How to prepare and celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy.

Saint Faustina wrote in her diary on Good Friday 1937:

Jesus is commanding me to make a novena before the Feast of Mercy, and today I am to begin it for the conversion of the whole world and for the recognition of The Divine Mercy...so that every soul will praise My goodness. I desire trust from My creatures. Encourage souls to place great trust in My fathomless mercy. Let the weak, sinful soul have no fear to approach Me, for even if it had more sins than there are grains of sand in the world, all would be drowned in the unmeasurable depths of My mercy.  (Diary entry 1059)

To observe this wonderful feast on Sunday, April 28, and receive holy grace and full forgiveness, do the following:

• Ask Jesus to help you place all your trust in the Divine Mercy of His Most Sacred Heart.
• Start a Novena to the Divine Mercy, using the Chaplet, on Good Friday in preparation for the feast.
• Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance on Sunday, April 28, or seven days before or after, with the desire never to sin again. Be contrite and humble as you pray in front of the tabernacle.
• Receive Holy Communion on Sunday, April 28.
• Venerate the image of Divine Mercy.
• Practice works of selfless love and mercy, by helping others and offering prayers to save souls.

* * *

My daughter, look into My Merciful Heart and reflect its compassion in your own heart and in your deeds, so that you who proclaim My mercy to the world, may yourself be aflame with it. (Diary entry 1688)

The Holy Litany of Divine Mercy

This prayer brings great peace. Pray for yourself, the world and especially for poor sinners and those on their deathbeds.

From Saint Faustina's Diary, entries 295-297.

J.M.J. February 12, 1937

+ The Love of God is the flower – Mercy is the fruit.
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 of 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.

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless 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.

Feast of Saint Anthony, June 13

Today is a great day -- Saint Anthony of Padua's feast day. Read about him here. He is powerful -- pray this prayer to him.

Request:
Admirable Anthony, so glorious for your miracles and for the favor that Jesus showed on you by coming in the guise of the Divine Child to rest in your arms, obtain from His goodness the grace I long for within my heart. You, so compassionate toward poor sinners, pay no attention to my defects, but to the glory of God which will once again be exalted by you and to my eternal salvation, not separated from the request I am now earnestly making.

(Say the grace that lies in your heart)

Let my love and charity towards the poor be a token of my gratitude. May I be given the grace to enter heaven with them through your intercession by the grace of Jesus the Redeemer.
Amen.

Thanksgiving:
Glorious Wonder Worker, father of the poor, you who miraculously discovered the heart of a miser inside a gold coffer, the great gift of your heart always turned to the poor and downtrodden; you who offered to the Lord my pleas which, through your intercession, have always been answered, please accept as a token of my gratitude the offer which I place at your feet.

Help those who are suffering like me; hasten to aid those who need support in their earthly and especially their spiritual needs, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Never Be Afraid to Trust

Our lives are filled with adversities and sadnesses. It is easy to become downtrodden, but we mustn't. We must keep living and keep fighting for strength. Ask the Divine Mercy of Jesus for help and pray the Chaplet at 3 p.m., when the Lord wants to hear from you. Read what Saint Faustina wrote in her diary in 1936. The words in bold are from Our Lord. 

In the evening, during Benediction, my soul was for some time in communion with God the father. I felt I was in His hand like a little child, and I heard these words in my soul: Do not fear anything, My daughter; all the adversaries will be shattered at My feet. At these words, a deep peace and a great interior calm entered my soul.

When I complained to the Lord that He was taking my help away and that I would be alone again and would not know what to do, I heard these words: Do not be afraid; I am always with you. After these words, a deep peace once again entered my soul. His presence penetrated me completely in a way that could be sensed. My spirit was flooded with light, and my body participated in this as well. (Diary entries 626 and 627)

Unite With Mary

Our Blessed Mother Mary often communicated with Saint Faustina, her diary tells us. We must imitate Mary for our prayers to have real, fuller power. Jesus listens to Mary. Let her intercede for you. Prayer to the Immaculate Conception.

In the evening, when I was praying, the Mother of God told me, Your lives must be like Mine: quiet and hidden, in unceasing union with God, pleading for humanity and preparing the world for the second coming of God. (Diary entry 625)

Saint Faustina's Desire for Us

Oh, how ardently I desire that every soul would praise Your mercy. Happy is the soul that calls upon the mercy of the Lord. It will see that the Lord will defend it as His glory, as He said. And who would dare fight against God? All you souls, praise the Lord‟s mercy by trusting in His mercy all your life and especially at the hour of your death. And fear nothing, dear soul, whoever you are; the greater
the sinner, the greater his right to Your mercy, O Lord. O, Incomprehensible Goodness! God is the first to stoop to the sinner. O Jesus, I wish to glorify Your mercy on behalf of thousand of souls. I know very well, O my Jesus, that I am to keep telling souls about Your goodness, about Your incomprehensible mercy. (Diary entry 598)

Divine Mercy Litany

From Saint Faustina's Diary.

 J.M.J. February 12, 1937

+ The Love of God is the flower – Mercy is the fruit.

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 of 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.

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless 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.

O incomprehensible and limitless Mercy Divine, To extol and adore You worthily, who can?
Supreme attribute of Almighty God,
You are the sweet hope for sinful man.
Into one hymn yourselves unite, stars, earth and sea, and in one accord, thankfully and fervently sing of the incomprehensible Divine Mercy.

(Diary entries 949-951)