Monday, April 18, 2011

Stations of the Cross I - III - From St. Faustina's Diary..

Introductory Prayer:   Merciful Jesus, my Master, I desire to follow you in fidelity and imitate you each day with more perfection. For this reason I beg you, that through the meditation of your Passion, I may receive the grace of understanding each day with more perfection, the mysteries of the spiritual life. Mary, Mother of Mercy, always faithful to Christ, guide me through the steps of the sorrowful passion of your Son and grant me the necessary graces so that this Way of the Cross may be fruitful in my heart.


I STATION – Jesus is Condemned to Death.

Jesus to Saint Faustina: Do not be surprised that you are sometimes unjustly accused. I myself first drank this cup of undeserved suffering for love of you. (289). When I was before Herod, I obtained a grace for you, that you would be able to rise above human scorn and follow faithfully in my footsteps.(1164).

Saint Faustina: Jesus, we are sensitive to words and quickly want to answer back, without taking any regard as to whether it’s God’s will that we should speak. A silent soul is strong: no adversities will harm it if it perseveres in silence. The silent soul is capable of attaining the closest union with God. (477). 

Merciful Jesus, help me accept each human judgment, do not ever allow me to judge you when judging my neighbor.


II STATION: Jesus takes up His Cross

Jesus to Saint Faustina: Do not be afraid of suffering, I am with you, (151 ). The more you will come to love suffering, the purer your love for Me will be. (279).

Saint Faustina: Oh Jesus, I thank you for the Little daily crosses, for opposition to my endeavors, for the hardships of communal life, for the misinterpretation of my intentions, for humiliations at the hands of others, for the harsh way in which we are treated, for false suspicions, for poor health and loss of strength, for self-denial, for dying to myself, for lack of recognition in everything, for the upsetting of all my plans. (343).

Merciful Jesus, teach me to appreciate the difficulties of life, sickness, each suffering, and with love take up my daily cross.
 


III STATION: Jesus falls for the first time.

Jesus to Saint Faustina: 
Involuntary offenses of souls do not hinder My love for them or prevent Me from uniting Myself with them. But voluntary offenses, obstruct my graces, and I cannot lavish My gifts on such souls. (1641).


Saint Faustina:
Oh my Jesus, how prone i am to evil, and this forces me to be constantly vigilant. But I do not lose heart. I trust God’s grace, which abounds in the worst misery. (606).

Merciful Lord, keep me from any infidelity, even the smallest one, but voluntary and consent




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