Divine Mercy in Our Souls: Thoughts of St. Faustina

When I first started reading the Diary of St. Faustina, I focused more on the words in bold, the words of Jesus. I was touched by their simplicity and truth. After some time, I began reflecting on the words of St. Faustina. I realized that her words were also simple and true. I found a great appreciation for her words. Over the years, I have been giving retreats and recollections many times using passages taken from the Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska. I would give handouts from the Diary based on various themes - Mercy, Trust, Suffering, Humility, etc. Many retreatants commented on how they enjoyed reading and were touched by the passages from the Diary.

My hope and prayer is very simple: as I tell my retreatants, read the passages slowly. Take your time. It's about quality, not quantity. Allow the words to touch your heart deeply. Meditate on the passages, let them form you and become part of you — your life, your being, your prayer, your words, your actions. If a particular passage strikes you, give yourself more time to process and savor it. Be open to exploring new thoughts, ideas and possibilities. Allow the words to challenge and stretch you to places you have never been before. Enjoy the journey. Happy reading!