Today's Feast: St. Faustina

Ave Maria! Today is the feast day of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, the apostle of Divine Mercy. She is perhaps best known for the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a prayer that has become much loved by Catholics throughout the world. Her single five-word prayer -- JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! -- has captivated and comforted the hearts of millions. This simple prayer becomes more profound every time we pray it. It immediately brings us into the presence of Jesus, who is all Love and Mercy. How lovingly and confidently St. Faustina called Jesus her "Friend of a lonely heart" ... her haven, her peace, her salvation ... her "serenity in moments of struggle and amidst an ocean of doubts" ... "the bright ray that lights up the path of my life" ... Jesus, who is "everything to a lonely soul" and who, knowing our weaknesses, comforts and heals us, transforming us into His own merciful Heart (Divine Mercy in My Soul, #247).

I could devote an entire blog to St. Faustina and never run out of material! The Web is a treasure trove of Divine Mercy! One of the best sources on this topic is the Divine Mercy Web site run by the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. Be sure to check out the "Daily Meditation" at the top of the right side of the home page, which is a daily excerpt from the writings of St. Faustina.

I have a little notebook where I've copied down some of St. Faustina's prayers that are particularly dear to my heart. Her prayer "For the Grace to Be Merciful to Others" is one I pray regularly because it helps me to be more merciful to my brothers and sisters. It's also a quite good examination of conscience. If I ever think for even one second that I have nothing to say when I go to confession, this prayer sets me straight!

Blessed be Jesus Christ, our Divine Mercy! Jesus, I trust in You!

For the Grace to Be Merciful to Others

O Most Holy Trinity! As many times as I breathe, as many times as my heart beats, as many times as my blood pulsates through my body, so many thousand times do I want to glorify Your mercy.

I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your living reflection, O Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of Your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors' souls and come to their rescue.

Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors' needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.

Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.

Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me.

You Yourself command me to exercise the three degrees of mercy. The first: the act of mercy, of whatever kind. The second: the word of mercy — if I cannot carry out a work of mercy, I will assist by my words. The third: prayer — if I cannot show mercy by deeds or words, I can always do so by prayer. My prayer reaches out even there where I cannot reach out physically.

O my Jesus, transform me into Yourself, for You can do all things.

Amen.