Did you ever read , 'Introduction to the Devout Life', Terry? I tried to read it several times in the past but was never really able to get into it. But I'm reading a modern translation at the moment and really enjoying it.
The best example of how God's grace surpasses our own thoughts and inner convictions is that of the good thief on the cross. He did not see himself as worthy of salvation and merely asked to dwell in Christ—even if only as a memory—in paradise. Anne Catherine Emmerich, based on her visions of the Bible, described that he had been part of a gang that robbed the Holy Family on their way to Egypt. Imagine the guilt this man must have carried on the cross for such a grave offense, compounded by a lifetime of previous crimes. If it weren’t for his encounter with grace—which, for us today, is available in a continuous and perpetual way through the sacraments until the end of time—his story would have ended differently. You too, Peter, have the grace of being supported by an entire community of friends from around the world who are constantly praying for you. Never forget that. Many of them are also going through their own times of darkness—just like you—and just like great saints such as St. John of the Cross, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and many others.
I've not read; only dabbled. My younger daughter, Therese, obtained her nursing degree from DeSales University in Pennsylvania. She's more versed in his writings than I.
I feel very desolate and abandoned but trying to keep hoping in God's mercy. Sometimes looking back on things the times that seemed the darkest is when I have realized that God was most present and with me. Perhaps it will be the same with this trial.
Please try the Monsgr. Rosetti deliverance session tonight.. I definitely will be there...you are in my prayers
I don't know if I'm going through the dark night of the soul but what I'm going through is very difficult. Doing my best to trust in God, Jesus and Mary. I've completed the Saint Louis Consecration to Mary four times the past number of years so trying to trust in Mary plus have started wearing the Miraculous Medal again lately too. The battle is strong at the moment. I experience strong spiritual attacks but hopefully that means i might be getting closer to God. I want to do God's Will.
I could do with some prayers. Over the last month I have been undergoing some severe trial, physical and spiritual. I am in bed a lot and unable to attend Mass. I just in the last few days stopped praying the Rosary which I had been praying daily since 2019. As per the video posted by pádraig - Oh Jesus, King of Love, I trust in your merciful goodness!
Prayers for you! Often when I pray the rosary I pray along with EWTN or the website Come Pray the Rosary. It bolsters my intentions to pray and keeps a holy momentum. See if the suggestions help. Get well soon.
Thanks HH. I prayed the Rosary with the following channel after I posted! It is easier to pray as I only say the response. Although the channel has various versions with music, I find the one without music the best. I just woke at 2.30am and had to take an anti-anxiety tablet. First time in my life I ever had to resort to such interventions. In this video Alvaro's guest says that Gregorian Chant is very effective against spiritual attacks. However, it is important that it is sung by virginal monks or nuns of high virtue and sanctity (and in Latin). I have been listening to Benedictines singing Gregorian Chants and am finding it very good. But I would appreciate, given these considerations, in addition to your prayers any other suggestions from ye good folks for good Gregorian Chant material?
I like to listen to the nuns of Saint Cecilia. But also any real Catholic monks or nuns. As you write synthetic Gregorian chant won't do.
Saint Padre Pio had many spiritual children, especially women whom he used to send letters to. Many of the women were saints themselves and of course, being saints themselves went through really periods of really intense suffering. It is really striking how compassionate Padre Pio was to them, how kind and caring. It reminds me of what St Teresa of Avila wrote concerning those going through the Dark Night about how kind and caring we should be to such people as they suffer so much. I remember how when I started into the Dark night and used to travel to the country to see my own Spiritual Director what a real life line his kindness to me was. It was not so much his kindness as the fact that I was not alone, that I was not going mad or imagining it all. But there can be no growth in holiness without blood filled foot steps. The Ascent of Mount Carmel is at the same time the Ascent of Calvary. The two go hand in hand. Imagine a painting were the artist were only allowed to use bright colours, the reads, the whites, the yellows, the oranges. People who look at such art would know at once that it is unbalances. We need the blacks the browns the grays to fill it all in. To make it all real. So with the spiritual life we need the Cross to make things real, to make them matter. This sounds on the face of it depressing and off putting but the strange thing is it is quite the reverse, the heavier the Cross the greater the joy and the greater the growth in holiness. But the most difficult thing, the most painful thing with Crosses is to see and find meaning in them and for this we need prayer to give us Faith filled eyes to see. Probably the most difficult thing I have in my own life at the moment and it is only a very small thing is to wake up for hours during the night. But this time at night staring up at the ceiling holding my little brass cross for comfort is the time of deepest prayer and meditation. For what else have I to do and how can I escape it. But I am sure you too, it you look to see your own greatest little Cross will find this too. That it is the vary same little Cross that bears down most also raises up most.
Wonderful! Thank you all. I am praying and saying the responses in the Rosary. I do feel it is better to pray the whole Rosary oneself but - needs must! It is now past midnight but I do believe yesterday (the Joyful Mysteries) was the anniversary of Visitation sister Servant of God Benigna Consolata Ferrero who died at the age of 31. Sr Susan Marie has drawn from “Little Secretary of Jesus” Sr Consolata’s mystical writings to accompany the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary *1st The Annunciation* “My Spouse, imitate My love of annihilation, and hide thyself ever more and more; to remain concealed, descend into the knowledge of thy nothingness, sincerely, but with love and confidence.” *2nd The Visitation* “Seek to give souls as much help as possible, not only directly to those around thee, but also to those far away, who are the most numerous ; the sons of the Love of Jesus are those who put thee in communication with these souls.” *3rd The Nativity* “I seek a place in many hearts where I may be born with My grace. I do not disdain poverty and misery provided I find favor there ; endeavor by thy sacrifices and, more than all, by a great purity of conscience, to obtain from My love this blessing for souls.” *4th The Presentation of Jesus* “You will present Me often to the Eternal Father in the name and in behalf of souls who never do so; I am in many hearts like an unfruitful treasure ; they possess Me because they are in a state of grace; but they make no use of Me; do thou supply for them.” *5th The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple* “Seek Me with love ; and through the holy arts of true charity, lead Me back to many souls whence the demon has driven Me. I am ready to return if each of these will come in search of Me, conduct Me back, and then keep Me company there.” (archivevispirit.org/) *I bolded that phrase because I do feel it is a personal failing of mine at least, not to be aware always of the living God present in the 7th Mansion of the Interior Castle of our souls - the part where our spirit dwells and can potentially be nourished by the Spirit of God. How often I receive Jesus and then do not keep him company there!
