33 days to merciful love retreat companion pdf
77 Saint Louis de Montfort also taught that God would raise up in our time, from among the weak and broken, great saints, who shall surpass most of the other saints. See 33 Days to Morning Glory, pp. With You, Jesus, Igo through life, amid stormsand rainbows, with a cry ofjoy, singing the song of Your mercy. Finally, the obituary also includes the following statement from Sr. Marie, which she uttered in the midst of her mortal agony: I am bearing the harshness of divine Justice divine Justice! Anselm W. Romb, OFM, Cap. Yes, shes a great saint, but her standout sanctity is that she did little things with great love. Rather, its more accurate to say that the Lord couldnt help but reveal it to her: Because I was little and weak He lowered Himself to me, and He instructed me secretly in the things of His love.*2 In the following passage, she sets up this joyful revelation of the things of His love: I have always w'antcd to be a saint. Resource Pages M ore from Fr. Beginning from an unexpected perspective in the first half of the book, Fr. 99 Cited by Genevieve of the Holy Face (Celine Martin) in My Sister St. Therese, trans. 1,1877-1890. You'll want to learn to see through the lens of mercy.
Help me to believe in God and bis love for me, even when life seems meaningless, routine, and empty. Of course not! Seraphims answer is very interesting. And if we exist simply to glorify God, then it seems that little souls enable God to manifest his glory even moreso than other souls. WebThe retreat book, 33 Days to Merciful Love, is not included in this kit. Since You deigned to give me a share in this very precious Cross, I hope in heaven to resemble You and to see shining in my glorified body the sacred stigmata of Your Passion. And how power fill too is the action of grace in her soul, how all-pervading is the influence of the Holy Spirit and of his light and power!22 Wow. Higly recommend reading! Well, because magnificat basically means the same as praise and thanksgiving, when we give our magnificat to the Lord, were consoling him in the best possible way. Of course, sometimes its easier to praise and thank the Lord than at other times. It's not Therese, but it's all connected. Its to hope against hope in our daily lives, when all is darkness and were tempted to disbe lieve in Gods loving presence in our lives, tempted to doubt that all things work together for good to those wrho love God (Rom 8:28). 79 In the following prayer, we learn that St. Faustina had hope of becoming one of the greatest of saints, even though she was very weak and broken, because she trusted completely in the power of Gods mercy: O God, one in the Holy Trinity, I want to love You as no human soul has ever loved You before; and although I am utterly miserable and small, I have, nevertheless, cast the anchor of my trust deep down into the abyss of Your mercy . So, die key element of what die Church calls perfect contrition is that its motivated by love for God and a desire not to offend him or let him down. DOWNLOAD NOW . It doesnt seem to make any sense, right? It seems to me that if all creatures had received the same graces I received, God would be feared by none but would be loved to the point of folly; and through love, not through fear, no one would ever consent to cause Him any pain. That blessing reveals the innermost reality of Mary, because Marys inner reality was a reality' of faith (or trust). Rom 11:33)! Truly blessed is she who provides us with such a personal and perfect example of trust! 1 do so with the burning desire that the message of Gods merciful love, proclaimed here through Saint Faustina, may be made known to all the peo ples of the earth and fill their hearts with hope. For instance, in the book Trustful Surrender to Divine Provi dence: The Secret to Peace and Happiness by Fr. To obtain a certificate (MLC) or prayercard (33PC) that include the image on the cover ofthis book and the Prayer of Consecration to Merciful Love, call 800-462-7426 or visit ShopMercy.org. Perhaps it makes us say, But what about all those poor people who arent getting the graces that Im taking? Well, first of all, keep in mind that the 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE 84 graces well be receiving have already been rejected. 81-82.) by. For instance, she wrote: I am far from being on the way of fear (Story of a Soul, p. 173). DAY 21 The Offering (Part Two) Yesterday, we covered the first four paragraphs of the text of the Offering to Merciful Love. Because of lais faith. They close their hearts to Christs saving WEEK ONE: What Is Trust? Gaitley weaves a tapestry of wonder and beauty from the threads of the dramatic history of Poland, the transformative message of St. Faustina Kowalska, the prophetic apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, the powe [More], The Guidebook for Divine Mercy In The Second Greatest Story Ever Told is key to getting the full experience. For with God nothing will be impossible. And Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her (Lk 1:26-38). 
A big idea in and of itself but Fr Gaitley breaks it all down so much that its comprehensible. [Washington, D.C.: ICS Publications, 1982], p. 114). Michael E. Gaitley, MIC uses his Marian devotion to provide 33 day retreats to the busiest of people. Michael Gaitley, MIC. I shared in the introduction that when I first learned about the Little Way, it filled me with hope that maybe even someone like me could become a saint. But if you dont have time to do so before the consecration, then from your heart, tell the Lord youre sorry for your sins, and make a resolution to go to Confession as soon as you reasonably can.
Specifically, we learned that shes a prophet of mercy who an nounces Gods desire in the present time of mercy to work the amazing miracle of mercy of forming us into great saints through the Little Way. Of course, before we can get to that last day, well need to start with the first, which now follows. This book was released on 2016-02-15 with total page 202 pages. Be happy like Therese, w'ho knew that good doctors, when they perform op erations, put their patients to sleep. In other words, be happy that if you keep living the Litde Way, God will especially be working through you even in the midst of your daily darkness and aridity. Eve disobeys God and leads Adam along the same path. Greenwood Village, CO 80111, Phone: 866-767-3155 Its the Good News that Gods love is like water, which always goes to the lowest place. Think of that. But Mary leads us and brings us to that source of grace, the Fountain of Mercy. (2) Due to die wound of original sin, we already tend to distrust God, so when he draws close to us, we often run and hide. Right again. Confidendy, I stated my conclusion, And so 40 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE the best way to remove that thorn and console him is to fra# him. Michael, youre absolutely right. Great! I said to myself, Its all about trusting Jesus in order to console him. At that point, 1 thought I was all set. But according to St. Therese, theres one path that particularly attracts him, one path, more titan oth ers, that allows God to manifest His infinite grandeur: Its the way of mercy. She felt it was inaccurate. 33 Days to Merciful Love (Premium Edition), 33 Days to Merciful Love - Consecration Day Certificate, 33 Days to Merciful Love - Coordinator Kit (WITH book), 33 Days to Merciful Love - Coordinator Kit (WITHOUT book), 33 Days to Merciful Love - Participant Packet (WITH Book), 33 Days to Merciful Love - Participant Packet (WITHOUT book), 33 Days to Morning Glory (Premium Edition), 33 Days to Morning Glory - Consecration Day Certificate, 33 Days to Morning Glory - Consecration Day Certificate - SPANISH, 33 Days to Morning Glory - Coordinator Kit (WITH book), 33 Days to Morning Glory - Coordinator Kit (WITHOUT book), 33 Days to Morning Glory - Group Retreat DVD, 33 Days to Morning Glory - Participant Packet (WITH Book), 33 Days to Morning Glory - Participant Packet (WITHOUT book), Consoling the Heart of Jesus (Premium Edition), Consoling the Heart of Jesus - Group Retreat DVD, Consoling the Heart of Jesus - Prayer Companion - Booklet, Consoling the Heart of Jesus Coordinator Kit (With Book), Consoling the Heart of Jesus Coordinator Kit (WITHOUT book), Consoling the Heart of Jesus Participant Packet (WITH book), Consoling the Heart of Jesus Participant Packet (WITHOUT book), Divine Mercy In the Second Greatest Story Ever Told - DVDs, Divine Mercy in the Second Greatest Story Ever Told - Guidebook, Divine Mercy In the Second Greatest Story Ever Told - Kit, Portuguese - A Segunda Historia Maior de Todos os Tempos, Spanish - 33 Das Hacia Un Glorioso Amanecer - Book (Premium Edition), Spanish - Consoling the Heart of Jesus - Book (Premium Edition), Spanish - La Segunda Historia Ms Grande Jams Contada, Wisdom & Works of Mercy Coordinator Kit (with "The One Thing is Three" book), Wisdom & Works of Mercy Coordinator Kit (WITHOUT book), Wisdom & Works of Mercy Participant Packet (with "The One Thing is Three" book), Wisdom & Works of Mercy Participant Packet (WITHOUT book), Wisdom and Works of Mercy - Group Study DVD, You Did It To Me: A Practical Guide to Mercy in Action (Premium Edition). The actual retreat book, 33 Days toMerciful Love, is not included in this kit. Love will not wear out the veil of my life. Oh, how great is the goodness of God, greater than we can understand. Great hope. I hope youll find these three recommen dations helpful for learning to see through the lens of mercy. That means well be moved to pray for the conversion of hardened sinners die very same ones who rejected die graces of mercy that well be receiving. And how could one renew the Offering with each beat of his or her heart! Oh, how indifferent are souls to so much goodness, to so many proofs of love! For, indeed, the face is the window to the soul and, in a certain sense, most reveals the person. She makes me long to be a better person. This week, we'll explore the role that darkness plays in living it out. But true friendship is a two-way street. 165 See Story of a Soul, p. 270. Like Therese, Faustina also chose to see everything through the lens of mercy.190 In fact, the two saints are amazingly similar in their message and, in my opinion, are the best guides for helping people to see everything through a lens of mercy. Even after die death of her one true friend in the convent (Therese), even after her mental illness caused her to have to leave the convent at the age of 55 after 28 years of religious life, even after years of wondering aimlessly about the French countryside (ibid., p. 51) amazingly she could still write the fol lowing words to Mother Agnes, words that reveal her hidden sanctity: The work of sanctification which my beloved Therese began so lovingly in me beore she died continues. 70-71. Please forgive us our sins. Her role is to lead us to the Heart of Jesus, and she does
Web33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE RETREAT COORDINATORS GUIDE 9 there? You, at least, come to Me as often as possible and take these graces they do not want to accept. And he goes on to make God look jealous, selfish, and conniving: For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God . In short, Satan casts doubt on Gods goodness, making him look evil and untrustworthy. Well, die way to relieve his heartache is by receiving his mercy. My old friend -ZTLfrom college had said to me on the phone, You need to do for the Offering to Merciful Love of St. Thercse of Lisicux what you did for Marian consecration. Let me unpack that a bit. And so God uses another woman, a New Eve, to help heal the wound that the old Eve caused a New Eve, a woman, who was announced from die beginning, a woman who would be at enmity with Satan, a woman whose offspring would crush die serpents head (see Gen 3:15). Were saying, Behold, Lord, here I am without your mercy, Ill collapse and die. Of course, when we present ourselves to the Lord like that, he rushes to us with his mercy, and we take a deep breath in. What? But theres another extremely important prayer for the present time of mercy: the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Printed in the United States on 8.5" x 11" card stock, this certificate is sure to become a treasured keepsake for all retreat participants.Click the image to the left to enlarge and see the details! One day, Fr. This beautiful full-color certificate contains the Consoling the Heart of Jesus"Consoler Principle and Foundation" prayer with space for a date and name. I mean, even if we have plenty of accomplishments and beautiful selfies, there will still be that self-accusing ache that creeps in and says, Youve not attained a destiny of greatness. So, we do have a lot of freedom regarding the way we choose to follow Christ and which truths of the Gospel will loom largest in our heart and conscience. (1698). And best of all, shes a kind and gentie modier and who can be afraid of such a mother? (Washington, DC: ICS Publications, 1982), pp. WebBased on the book, 33 Days to Merciful Love, by Fr. Maybe youre not quite ready. And its not pride to hope for it.73 Rather, its humility. Clearly theres a catch when it comes to making an offering to Divine Justice: lots of suffering! Emphasis added. It penetrates because we need that blessing. In other words, were probably numbered 102 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE among the ordinary people. If that describes you, then thank the Lord. In other words, Therese warns to become a saint not to please herself but, rather, to please Jesus. Oh, how indifferent are souls to so much goodness, to so many proofs of love! She knew that, compared to God, shed always be a weak, pitiful lover. Heres what I mean: Jesus likes to keep little souls little. Chris burst into my office after having just offered Mass. Be happy! Its that moment at Mass when, in spiritual union with the priest at the altar, all the baptized can hold up Christs perfect sacrifice of love to the Father as their own sacrifice. It seeks to please him and console him. Youre not successful! The book is called True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montfort, and it describes a path to holiness called Marian consecration or a total consecration to Jesus through Mary. 16 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. Unfortunately, our sins, the sins of others, and the pains of life are very good at hardening our hearts, which makes us less compassionate, less merciful, and less like Jesus. It includes my sins and your sins. In other words, the love that flows from the Lords pierced Heart is an infinite ocean of mercy. If through weakness I sometimes fall, may Your Divine Glance cleanse my soul immediately, consuming all my imperfections like the fire that transforms everything into itself. Mark was referring to my book 33 Days to Morning Glory, which is an updated and easy-to-use preparation for making a total consecration to Jesus through Mary. Download or read book 33 Days to Merciful Love written by Father Michael Gaitley and published by Marian Press. (2) Write out or print up the Prayer of Consecration to Merciful Love or Thereses own text so you can sign it after youve recited it if youd like, you can visit ShopMercy.org for a certificate or prayercard with the Prayer of Consecration to Merciful Love. But its also about realiz ing that this does not prevent us from becoming saints.65 So, even if we have to go to Confession over and over for the same sins, we shouldnt get discouraged.
For those on the Little Way, the success part isnt whats most important. (Dublin: Veritas Publications, 1995), p. 49. Whats its concrete expression in your daily living? I was stumped. After all, I figured that only the quickest and easiest path could help someone like me to become a saint. Wash ington, DC 20002 U.S.A. wTvw.icspublications.org From General Correspondence Volume One translated by John Clarke, O.C.D. And thats really whats going on with the Little Way and its famous elevator. Todays Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. Hes well aware that the child wdll often fall back into the these same faults, but hes always ready to forgive him, provided the boy always grasps him by the heart. She describes the reason to her sister Pauline (Mother Agnes), who had given her permission to make the Offering: You permitted me, dear Mother, to offer myself in this way to God, and you know the rivers or rather the oceans of graces that flooded my soul. I dont hasten to the first place but to the last; rather than advance like the Pharisee, I repeat, filled with confidence, the publicans humble prayer. He looked like hed just seen a ghost, so I stopped what I was doing and gave him my full attention. Yet, my heart senses You, and my trust grows, and I see all Your omnipotence which upholds me. Blessing Recall that, according to St. John Paul II, a kind of'key' unlocks for us the innermost reality of Mary. That key is the blessing of Elizabeth at the Annunciation: Blessed is she who believed that w hat was spoken to her by the Lord w'ould be fulfilled (Lk 1:45). Touched by grace, the sinful woman followed the Saint into the desert to perform a rigorous penance. This desire could certainly appear daring if one were to consider how weak and imperfect I was, and how, after seven years in the religious life, I still am weak and imperfect. And when our focus is not on ourselves when were suffering, although our pain is certainly real, we often dont even notice it. M. Verda Clare, CSC (Chicago: Fides Publishers Association, 1953), p. 25. It was because of peoples lack offaith. But Mary isnt God shes our tender, loving mother. For evidence of this, we need only look as far as the text of her Offering to Merciful Love: I desire, in a word, to be a saint, but I feel my help lessness and I beg You, O my God! In sum, then, heres the catch: Its to accept to have a heart thats more loving, compassionate, and merciful. And, again, the death Therese implicitly says in the flight of her soul to God as makes this point a bit more Diary: of love allows one to bypass purgatory as text of the Offering when she describes the being without any delay. Saint Faustina explicit in the following passage from her Gods mercy sometimes touches the sinner at the last moment in a wondrous and mysterious way. And what does trust in Jesus mean?
148 Story of a Soul, pp. 68 Cited in ibid., p. 222, 69 Cited in ibid., p. 93. But why is there sin? Help me to believe in God and his love for me, even when the darkness surrounds me. Filled with the Holy Spirit and with a loud cry, she proclaims two blessings, the last of which is the great key. 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. What if he wanted to give us a special gift of holiness in our day? She did so at the end of her autobiography with words we already read on Day 10, words that are worth repeating: Yes, I feel it; even though I had on my conscience all the sins that can be committed, I would go, my heart broken with sorrow, and throw myself into Jesus arms, for I know how much He loves the prodigal child who returns to Him.138 All the sins that can be committed. Think about that: That's a lot of sin.
She had to stand and consent to the immolation of die victim.21 She had to remain there in faith, hoping against hope. But wheres the third thing?
The Mass is, as it were, heaven on earth. Alright, so how do we live that act of perfect love always as one act? 76 Niels Christian Hvidt, Christian Prophecy: The Post-Biblical Tradition (Oxford/New York: Oxford University Press, 2007), p. vii. More over, Marie felt that she herself was the little bird and that there was no hope for her to love God as Therese loved him. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But is she really that lowly? How do we do it? All rights reserved. I choose to remain always little, not relying on my own merits but solely on yours, dear Lord, and those of the Blessed Mother. Suite 310 Consider this: Jesus once told St. Faustina Saint Faustina If I were to reveal to you the whole misery that you are, you would die of terror.144 Now, I hesitate to bring up that quote, because 1 dont want little souls to begin beating themselves up and tailing into discouragement. In The Heart of Perfection, Colleen weaves the stories and wisdom of seven ex-perfectionist saints (and one heretic) with Scripture and beautifully crafted tales of her own trial-and-error experiments in applying that wisdom to her life. Michael Gaitley, MIC, this 33 Days to Merciful Love Group Retreat goes even deeper than the book alone and explores new material on the heart of St. Thrse of Lisieuxs Little Way, uncovering the power of trust in the face of personal darkness, inspiring participants to become great saints amid And so, the Pope concludes: [T]hus even his Mother, to whom had been revealed most completely the mystery of his divine sonship, lived in intimacy with this mystery only through faith! So, once again, do you want to help save the world? In fact, you might say that, in a sense, its the most powerfill prayer there is. But if that's not enough, then please consider Thereses own words about making the Offering to Merciful Love as a little soul: I am only a child, powerless and weak, and yet it is my weakness that gives me the boldness of offering myself as VICTIM of Tour Love, 0 Jesus! Unlike 33 Days to Morning Glory, this book does not include four weeks with four different saints. So, this book truly is a consecration to Divine Mercy but in the style of St. Therese of Lisieux. Heres how that is often explained: We can console Jesus by giving consolation to the members of his body. Its called Tou Did It to Me1: A Practical Guide to Mercy in Action (Stockbridge: Marian Press, 2014). "y> Thankfully, Therese could confide in her dear sister Marie whenever she was tempted to think that God had rejected her but Maries words only brought temporary comfort, and Thereses scruples followed her even into the Carmelite con vent (also called Carmel). - Total run time: Approximately 350 minutes- Each retreat group needs one DVD set- Workbook not included, There's no substitute for making Fr. As you pause here in the ecce moment with empty lungs, the soldiers lance thrusts through Jesus side and into his Heart, causing blood and water to flow out and down like a waterfall, down into your heart and soul. - Workbook not included Todays Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Addressing the hard issue of suicide simply and pastorally, Fr. So many things about God's mercy and His mystery that isn't familiar to me, I wish to be revealed from now on. Im convinced that I can change die world and that you can, too. In another way one may eat Christ spiritually, as He is under the sacramental species, inasmuch as a man r i 202 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE believes in Christ, while desiring to receive this sacrament; and this is not merely to eat Christ spiritually, but likewise to eat this sacrament; which does not fall to the lot of the angels. 2016. The Spiritual Communion of Merciful Love is a special communion with a particular emphasis. It was there, in the midst of die most terrible darkness, that we paradoxically sec the luminous blessing of Elizabedi shine fordi with ever-greater glory: Blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled! Yes, blessed is she who believed at the foot of the Cross. Yes, it is as bad as that. 198 Catechism, 467. Sister Faustina Kowalska, the Polish nun who had mystical encounters with the merciful Christ in the early 20th century, Describes the events surrounding the Battle of Dunkirk and the rescue of British troops from the beaches of Dunkirk duri, How to get legs and glutes QuarantinedIn 21 daysSexy body! that the more You want togive, the more You make us desire. Faith is a gift of grace. (See Appendix One.) Yes. 72 Regarding trust being the key to receiving Gods mercy', Jesus told St. Faustina: The graces of My mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is trust. In fact, this young woman from the French town ofLisieux, who died in 1897, well before her twenty-fifth birth day, and who lived a quiet, sheltered childhood among doting sisters and then a quiet, sheltered adolescence as a cloistered Carmelite nun (with some of those very same sisters) that woman, after Abra ham and Mary,30 is perhaps the Churchsgreatest example of the faith that hopes against hope. Thus, St. Therese truly merits both blessings of Elizabeth: Blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled and Blessed are you among women of course, wed have to add, after Mary. Dont say that. 23 Introduction September 4 Our Lady of the Rosary October 7 September 13 St. Margaret Mary Alacoque October 16 September 19 St. John Paul II October 22 October 19 Presentation of Mary November 21 November 5 Immaculate Conception December 8 November 9 Our Lady of Guadalupe December 12 November 22 December 25 November 29 Christmas St. John the Apostle, Evangelist Mother of God December 23 Conversion of St. Paul January 25 December 31 Presentation of the Lord February 2 November 24 December 27 January 1 Of course, because the mystery of Divine Mercy touches all the mysteries of our faith and the life of every saint, you can certainly choose to consecrate yourself to Divine Mercy on any of the Churchs solemnities, feasts, or memorials that are mean ingful to you. In offering herself to Merciful Love and not justice, Therese opens herself to receive not waves of infinite harshness but infinite tenderness." It is corroborated by human experience. This praise and thanks is signified by the air we exhale from our lungs. Beautiful guide to a self-lead retreat and/or preparation to Consecrate yourself to Merciful Love. 'You Did it to Me': A Practical Guide to Mercy in Action [This book] blew me away. DAY OF CONSECRATION: 'The Happy Day' In the evening of this life, I shall appear before You with empty hands, for I do not ask You, Lord, to count my works. After our fiat, after weve experienced the power of Gods Merciful Love, we, too, will want to give praise to God. Yet she hoped against hope, trusting that God does exist and that he would make her into a great saint. Whats the word he speaks as he knocks at the heart of every man?