29th September, the Church celebrates the feast of the holy
Archangels, Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael, all of whom
appear in the Bible. Considering this is their Feast, it may be worth
taking a moment to look at Angels in connection with the message of
Divine Mercy. Angels seems to have several specific roles in the Diary – sometimes, to direct the young Sister Faustina and to call her to prayer, and at other times, to protect and guard her.
It is easy to overlook the place of Angels in the Diary of St
Faustina. Be that as it may, they figure many times in her writing.
Perhaps most often, she writes about her own Guardian Angel, such as on
this occasion when he tells her to pray –
“When I went to the garden one afternoon, my Guardian Angel said to me, ‘Pray for the dying’.
And so, I began at once to pray the Rosary with the gardeners for the
dying. After the Rosary, we said various prayers for the dying.” (Diary, para.314)
There are other occasions, in Notebook II, where St Faustina’s
Guardian Angel again directs her to pray, this time for a particular
soul, who is close to death (Diary, para.820 and 828). On other occasions, her Guardian Angel is the one she prays to for protection from evil spirits –
“I fell asleep as soon as I lay down,
but at about eleven o’clock, Satan shook my bed. I awoke instantly, and
I started to pray peacefully to my Guardian Angel.” (Diary, para.412)
And on various occasions, her Guardian Angel appears to her in visible form, such as on this occasion –
“A great multitude of demons blocked
my way.. seeing their great hatred for me, I immediately asked my
Guardian Angel for help, and at once, the bright and radiant figure of
my Guardian Angel appeared and said to me, ‘Do not fear, spouse of my Lord, without His permission these spirits will do you no harm’. Immediately,
the evil spirits vanished, and the faithful Guardian Angel accompanied
me, in a visible manner, right to the very house. His look was modest
and peaceful, and a flame of fire sparkled from his forehead.” (Diary, para.418-419)
At other times, St Faustina would hear the Angels but without seeing them –
“Today is the renewal – that is, the
profession of vows in the course of a solemn celebration. As the Sisters
were making their vows, I heard Angels singing in various tones, ‘Holy, Holy Holy’, with chanting so delightful that no human tongue could ever match it.” (Diary, para.1111)
On some occasions, the Angels seen by St Faustina seem to be other
than her own Guardian Angel. In Notebook I of her Diary, St Faustina
describes having a deep longing for God, at which moment –
“I beheld a Spirit of great beauty .. This Spirit is very beautiful and his beauty comes from close union with God” (Diary, para.471)
Looking upon him, the Angel told her –
“I am one of the seven Spirits who stand before the Throne of God day and night and give Him ceaseless praise”(Diary, para.471)
These seven Spirits are mentioned in another passage of St Faustina’s Diary –
“Then I saw one of the seven Spirits
near me, radiant as at other times, under a form of light. I constantly
saw him beside me when I was riding on the train. I saw an Angel on
every Church we passed, but surrounded by a light which was paler than
that of the Spirit who was accompanying me on the journey, and each of
these Spirits who were guarding the Churches bowed his head to the
Spirit who was near me.. I thank God for His goodness, that He gives us
Angels as companions.” (Diary, para.630)
Perhaps the most singular mention of Angels is in Notebook I, where
St Faustina records the occasion on which she was given the Chaplet of
Divine Mercy. This took place on Friday 13th September 1935 –
“In the evening, when I was in my
cell, I saw an Angel, the executor of Divine wrath. He was clothed in a
dazzling robe, his face gloriously bright, a cloud beneath his feet.
From the cloud, bolts of thunder and flashes of lightning were springing
into his hands; and from his hand they were going forth, and only then
were they striking the earth. When I saw this sign of divine wrath which
was about to strike the earth.. I began to implore the Angel to hold
off.. and the world would do penance. But my plea was a mere nothing in
the face of the divine anger.. At that very moment, I felt in my soul
the power of Jesus’ grace, which dwells in my soul.. I found myself
pleading with God for the world, with words heard interiorly. As I was
praying in this manner, I saw the Angel’s helplessness; he could not
carry out the just punishment which was rightly due for sins. Never
before had I prayed with such inner power as I did then. The words with
which I entreated God are these – Eternal
Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your
dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, for our sins and those of the
whole world; for the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us
and on the whole world.” (Diary, para.474-475)
You may recognise here marked similarities to the third part of the
Secret given to the children at Fatima; there, too, an Angel is sent as
the executor of the wrath of God, but his efforts are thwarted by means
of the Most Blessed Virgin, who intercedes for humanity and obtains
God’s mercy for the world.
This would appear to bring together the theme of reparative prayer,
strongly present both at Fatima and in the message of Divine Mercy, as a
means of staying the just anger of God. In the Diary of St Faustina, we
are explicitly given the very prayer with which to do this – the
Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
Angels play a significant part in both the message of Divine Mercy
and the life of St Faustina, and the message of Fatima; on both
occasions, they prepare the way for what will follow, they direct those
to whom they are sent and solicit prayer, and they are portrayed as the
executors of the just anger of the Most High; and yet, this reparative
prayer prevents them from fulfilling this part of their mission. There
is a lesson there for every one of us.
Jesus asked that this Feast of
the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena of Chaplets
to the Divine Mercy which would begin
on Good Friday. Say one chaplet each day following the novena
intention. In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her:
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My Heart a different
group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy... On
each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My
passion, for the graces for these souls. By this novena I will
grant every possible grace to souls." (Diary
1209, 796)
First
Day "Today bring to Me
All Mankind, especially all sinners and immerse them in the ocean of
My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which
the loss of souls plunges Me."
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and
to forgive us, do not look upon our sins, but upon our trust which we
place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your
Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of
You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Eternal Father, turn Your
merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all
enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His
Sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence
of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.
Second Day "Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and
Religious and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me
strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My
mercy flows out upon mankind."
Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in
men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works
of mercy, and that all who see them may
glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.
Eternal Father, turn Your
merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard - upon the
souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your
blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded,
impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in
the way of salvation, and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy
for ages without end. Amen. Third Day "Today bring to Me All Devout and Faithful
Souls and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought Me
consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the
midst of an ocean of bitterness."
Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces
in the great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most
Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by
that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so
fiercely.
Eternal Father, turn Your Merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon
the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, grant them
Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they
never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with
all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for
endless ages. Amen. Fourth Day "Today bring to Me Those Who Do Not Believe In
God and Those Who Do Not Yet Know
Me. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future
zeal comforted My heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy."
Most Compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into
the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do
not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten
them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy;
and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most
Compassionate Heart.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do
not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are
enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the
light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is
to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your
mercy for endless ages. Amen. Fifth Day "Today
bring to Me the Souls
of those who have separated themselves from My Church and immerse them
in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body
and Heart, that is My Church. As they return to unity with the Church
My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion."
Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who
seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the
souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the
Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate
Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of
Your mercy.
Eternal
Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of
those who have separated themselves from Your Son's Church, who
have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces
obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors,
but
upon the love of Your Own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He
underwent
for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most
Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your
great mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Sixth Day "Today bring to Me The Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little
Children and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble
My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as
earthly Angels who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them
whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is capable of receiving My
grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence."
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek
and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate
Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls
send all heaven into ecstasy, and they are the heavenly Father's favorites.
They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes
delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most
Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and
mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls,
upon humble souls and upon little children, who are enfolded in the abode of the Most
Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your
Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father
of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and
by the delight you take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls
together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Seventh Day "Today bring to Me
The Souls Who Especially Venerate andGlorify My Mercy
and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion
and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My
Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in
the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall
particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death."
Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of
Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol
and venerate the greatness of Your Mercy. These souls are mighty with the
very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities
they go forward, confident in Your Mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they
carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged
severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.
Eternal
Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate
Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are
enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a
living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy and their hearts,
overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg
You O God: Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have
placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who
said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death,
the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He Himself, will
defend as His glory. Amen.
Eighth Day "Today bring to Me The Souls Who Are
Detained in
Purgatory and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents
of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly
loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your
power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of
My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only know the
torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the
spirit and pay off their debt to My justice."
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring
into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls
who are very dear to You, and yet who must make retribution to Your justice.
May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out
the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy
may be celebrated.
Eternal Father, turn Your most merciful gaze upon the souls
suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of
Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the
bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded, manifest Your mercy to
the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way
but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly
believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.
Ninth Day "Today bring to Me The Souls Who Have Become Lukewarm
and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most
painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of
Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out:
'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them the
last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy."
Most Compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls
into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure
love let these tepid souls, who, like
corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most
Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into
the very ardor of Your love; and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for
nothing is beyond Your power.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon
lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of
Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His
three-hour agony on the Cross: let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your
mercy. Amen
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