Our Lord's Divine Mercy-
This was the first year I was 'on top of things' and remembered to participate in the Divine Mercy Novena, which begins on Good Friday, and ends the following Saturday night/Sunday. And let me say- it was so exciting to be engaged in this Novena! For any nonCatholics that may follow our blog, a brief little explanation: a Novena (from the Latin word 'novem', meaning nine), is basically a personal devotion of prayers/a prayer prayed in succession for 9 consecutive days or once a week for 9 consecutive weeks, asking God for special graces. These prayers are often for a particular intention.
"As Jesus was about to ascend to heaven, he told the apostles to remain in Jerusalem until they had received the
Holy Spirit. While waiting (for nine days), they devoted themselves to prayer." (Acts 1:14-the inserted parenthesis is my note) )
If you're interested in learning more about novenas in general, here's one website to check out: http://www.fisheaters.com/novenas.html
The message and devotion to Jesus as our Divine Mercy began to spread in the 1930's, based on the writings and messages given to a polish nun, St. Faustina Kowalska. "Devotion to The Divine Mercy involves a total commitment to God as Mercy. It is a decision to trust completely in Him, to accept His mercy with thanksgiving, and to be merciful as He is merciful." - quote taken from: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/index.htm
This is a beautifully rich novena, and as I prayed this novena each day I found myself particularly struck by my need and our world's need for Christ's Divine Mercy. The simple, yet so profound, message that permeates this devotion is written at the bottom of any Divine Mercy icon: Jesus, I Trust in You. The messages/themes for each day of this novena were so powerful, and I want to share the one that moved me the most:
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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. 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 which is 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.
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Mmmmm. I look at my children and now think of this message from the sixth day of the novena often. My children are a 'sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God!' And they 'bear the closest resemblance' to Christ Jesus. Wow. What a gift I have been given, what an honor.... what an overwhelming, frightening responsibility and charge! May the Holy Spirit remind me of this message when I have moments of great frustration in my vocation as a mother! How unworthy I am- and yet, He has given me these Treasures of His to love, to raise, to train up in His ways. Do I ever need His Divine Mercy!!! I am hoping to implement a daily Divine Mercy chaplet with my children at the divine hour (3 o'clock)... just one small way I can invite Christ into another part of our day and hopefully continue to instill a love and trust for Christ and His Divine Mercy in our family.
St. Faustina, please pray for us!
Thanks, Michelle, for sharing the beautiful message of the divine mercy! The message of God's great love for humble souls reminds me of a great saint whose writings are playing a major part in my dissertation: St. Teresa of Avila. As this saint explains to her fellow nuns how one can ascend to the heights of the spiritual life, she emphasizes humility. If one humbly prays and serves the Lord, God will eventually give this person the "living water," which is Teresa's term for mystical contemplation (the highest way of being deeply united to the divine friend in prayer). If I had to sum up what I have learned about the spiritual life from doing my dissertation, I would say this: the greatest contemplators--i.e., the greatest mystics--are those who are the greatest lovers of God (the humble souls who are a sweet fragrance ascending to heaven).
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