I am with great joy reading a book on, 'Divine Will ', at the moment. For the longest time I have wondered about this Devotion but could ever get a handle on it. Finally I have discovered a very simple , clear descriptions of the Devotion, were it came from, Luisa herself and ...most ,,importantly how to implement this in my own Spiritual Life. I am , as the say, giving it my very best shot. https://www.amazon.co.uk/LUISA-PICCARRETA-DIVINE-WILL-TEACHINGS-ebook/dp/B088X3448D
Well the first question I suppose people will ask is how likely are these Revelations to be true? I have no wish to be argumentative for I know many folks are very strongly against this new Devotion, they are perfectly entitled to their opinion and I respect this. They may very, well be right and I may very well be wrong and I am certainly no expert as I have only come to try this out myself. Having said this I have to say it is very,very improbable indeed that this thing is false. Why do I say this? Well in the first place because Luisa's Spiritual Director was a saint. Not only a Saint but a very,very learned and experienced saint. http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20040516_di-francia_en.html Hannibal Mary Di Francia (1851-1927) Hannibal Mary Di Francia was born in Messina, Italy, on July 5, 1851. His father Francis was a knight, the Marquises of St. Catherine of Jonio, Papal Vice-Consul and Honorary Captain of the Navy. His mother, Anna Toscano, also belonged to an aristocratic family. The third of four children, he lost his father when he was only fifteen months old. The sad experience of losing a parent made him deeply sensitive to the plight of children bereft of parents and this, influenced his life and his educational system. In childhood he developed such love for the Eucharist that he was allowed to receive Communion daily, something quite exceptional in those days. He was only seventeen when, at prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament, he was given the "revelation of Rogate", that is, he deeply felt that vocations in the Church come only through prayer. Subsequently he found that such prayer is commanded by Jesus in the Gospel when He says: "Ask [Rogate] the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers to gather his harvest" (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). These words became the fundamental insight to which he dedicated his entire life. Hannibal proved to be of lively intelligence with remarkable literary abilities. As soon as he felt the call of God, he immediately responded by placing himself and his talents at the service of God. After his theological studies, he was ordained a priest on March 16, 1878. A few months before his ordination, he met an almost blind beggar, Francesco Zancone, a providential encounter which led him to discover the sad social and moral reality of one of the poorest neighborhoods in the outskirts of Messina (Case Avignone). It was the beginning of a long walk and his boundless love for the poor and the orphans was one of the primary characteristic of his life. With the permission and the encouragement of his bishop, Msgr. Joseph Guarino, he made the Avignone ghetto his home and dedicated himself completely to the redemption of its inhabitants. In accordance with the Gospel, he saw them as "sheep without a shepherd". It was an experience strongly marked by misunderstandings, difficulties and obstacles of every kind which he overcame by great faith, seeing Jesus Christ in the poor and marginalized people. He was carrying out what he defined as the "spirit of a twofold charity: the evangelization of and the care for the poor". In 1882 he started his orphanages, which were called "Anthonian Orphanages" because they were placed under the patronage of St. Anthony of Padua. His concern was not only to provide the children with food and occupation, but above all to assure that they were brought up in a way that integrated the moral and religious aspects of their lives, offering a family climate which helped lead them to discover and follow God's plan for them. With his missionary spirit he wanted to reach out to the orphans and the poor all over the world. But how could he do it? He perceived that the "Rogate" was the real answer. He wrote: "What are these few orphans we attend to, these few people we bring the good news to, compared to the millions who are lost and abandoned as sheep without a shepherd?... I looked for an answer and I found a complete one in the words of Jesus: 'Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers to gather his harvest'. I concluded then that I had found the secret key to all good works and to the salvation of all souls". Hannibal felt that the Rogate was not simply the Lord's recommendation, but an explicit command and an "infallible remedy". For this reason, his charism can be considered as giving life to a providential foundation in the Church. He was also a forerunner in considering the work of committed lay persons, like parents, teachers, and even good government workers, as vocations. To carry out his apostolic ideals in the Church and in the world, he founded two religious Congregations: the Daughters of Divine Zeal, in 1887, and the Rogationists ten years later. He wanted both institutions to live the Rogate as a fourth vow. The institutions were canonically approved on August 6, 1926. In a petition to St. Pious X, in 1909, Father Hannibal stated: "From my early youth I have committed myself to that Holy Word of the Gospel: ‘Rogate ergo...' From my small Institutes an unceasing daily prayer is raised by the orphans, the poor, the priests and the consecrated virgins, to the most Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, to St. Joseph and the Apostles, that they may abundantly provide the Church with holy and chosen priests and with evangelical workers for the spiritual harvest of souls". To spread the prayer for vocations he promoted several initiatives: he had personal epistolary contacts with the Popes of his time, he instituted a "Holy Alliance", a movement of prayer for vocations intended for the clergy, and the "Pious Union of the Evangelical Rogation" for all the faithful. He published the periodical "God and Neighbor", to involve everyone in these ideals. "The entire Church must formally pray for this aim," he wrote, "because the purpose of the prayer to gain vocations must concern all the faithful, every Christian who has at heart the good of souls and, in a particular way, the Bishops who are the shepherds of the spiritual flock and to whom souls are entrusted. They are the living Apostles of Jesus Christ today." The annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations instituted by Pope Paul VI in 1964 can be considered a response to his intuition. His love for the priesthood was great. He strongly believed that the world could be redeemed only through the work of many holy priests. That is why he was deeply concerned with the spiritual formation of the seminarians entrusted to him by the Bishop of Messina. He used to say that without a lot of prayer and a solid spiritual training, "all the efforts of bishops and of seminary educators would only result in artificial priests". He strove to become himself a model of the "good laborer" of the Gospels, and to be a priest according the Heart of Jesus. His charity knew no bounds, and was directed towards all kinds of people in need, including priests facing difficulties and cloistered nuns. Even when he was still alive, his reputation as a saint was widespread on all levels. When he died in Messina, on June 1st, 1927, people began to say: "Let us go to see the sleeping saint". He died comforted by the vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom he had loved so much during his life. His funeral, according to the chronicles and pictures in the newspapers of that time, became a triumph. Civil authorities promptly granted permission for his burial in the Shrine of the "Evangelical Rogation" which Fr. Hannibal himself had built in Messina and wanted to be dedicated to the command of the Gospel: "Ask, therefore, the Lord of the Harvest to send workers into his harvest...". The religious families founded by Blessed Hannibal are currently present on all the continents. According to the ideals of their founder, they dedicate themselves to spreading the prayer for vocations through centers for vocations, publishing houses and printing presses, institutions for orphans and abandoned children, schools for deaf and mute, nutritional centers, homes for aged, homes for single mothers, and professional and vocational schools. The sanctity and mission of Fr. Hannibal as an "outstanding Apostle of the prayer for vocations" are deeply felt in our time by all who are concerned with the need for vocations in the Church. John Paul II proclaimed Father Hannibal a Blessed on October 7, 1990 and defined him as the "authentic forerunner and zealous master of the modern pastoral care for vocations".
(By the way Padre Pio himself was in regular correspondence with Luisa and described her as, 'That angel in Coreta'.)
The next big reason for belief is that the Servant of God, Luisa was so clearly a saint herself. Not only a saint but a very big saint and Victim Soul. https://bookofheaven.com/who-is-luisa/ Who is Luisa? By Padre Bernardino Bucci, OFM The Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta was born in Corato in the Province of Bari, Italy on April 23, 1865 and died there in the odor of sanctity on March 4, 1947. Luisa from her very birth was given a mystical life, for example, at the age of 17 she received the Mystical Union that Saint John of the Cross, Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint Catherine of Siena received right beore they died. After this mystical Union Jesus asked Luisa if she would stay in bed and because of her “Fiat!”, He taught Luisa about the Life of the Divine Will, forming It first in her. For the next 64 years until her death Luisa stayed in bed basically not eating, drinking or sleeping. Luisa was nourished by receiving the Most Holy Eucharist during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass daily said in her room. This special blessing was given by Pope Saint Pious X and Pope Leo XIII his predecessor. Luisa also lived on the food of the Divine Will, which Jesus said in the Gospels, “a food that you do not know of….” During that time through great sufferings and a sublime call to holiness Jesus taught Luisa about the fulfillment of the Our Father, the prayer that Jesus taught His Apostles. Jesus taught Luisa that now is the time for the Kingdom of God to reign on earth as in Heaven. Jesus dictated 36 Volumes of the doctrine of the Divine Will, which He gave the title “The Kingdom of the Fiat in the Midst of Creatures. Book of Heaven – The Recall of the Creature into the Order, to Its Place and into the Purpose for Which He was Created by God”, to teach Luisa how to “Live” in the Divine Will. This is different than the devotional life of the Saints which is “doing” the Will of God. These Volumes were basically dictated in three sections: in the first section, Volumes 1-10, Jesus shows Luisa how to become a Divine Mirror of Jesus Himself. In the second section, Volumes 11-19, Jesus shows Luisa how to “Live” in the Divine Will through the Power of the Holy Spirit. In the third section, Volumes 20-36, Jesus shows Luisa how to receive the Divine Inheritance of the Father. In humble obedience Luisa, under the constant direction of the Church, faithfully wrote all that Jesus Himself wanted her to put down on paper. This would be not only for herself but for those who would read it, so that they too could “Live” in the Divine Will as Luisa learned how to “Live” in the Divine Will, by putting into practice these “Truths” taught by Jesus and Mary. In additon to the 36 Volumes Jesus dictated the book, “The Hours of the Passion” and Our Lady dictated the book, “Virgin Mary in the Kingdom of the Divine Will” to Luisa. Jesus told her Confessor, St. Annibale Maria Di Francia, through Luisa, that these 36 Volumes are to be called: “The Book of Heaven.” Pope John Paul II canonized St. Annibale and declared him to be the Saint for our time to pray to for Vocations. “…Know that I no longer occupy myself with almost anything of the other things of my Institutes, since I dedicated myself completely to the great work of the Divine Will. I talk about It with people of (docile) spirit; I engage in conversation about this topic with whomever I best can; I promote It as much as I can, even in my Institutes.” St. Annibale – Feb. 14, 1927
The Third reason I am inclined to believe. Is that Divine Will is so central to the Servant of God's Life. Or to put it another way it was her life's mission. If she got this wrong she got everything else wrong. Her whole life would have been a farce. This is very,very unlikely indeed. Under such circumstances in the entire history of Catholic Spirituality I have never heard of such an event before. If this is false it is a first.
The Fourth reason why I am inclined to believe is the theology behind Divine Will, which seems to me to be both superb and delightful. Read the book and see for yourself.
My final reason for belief is that I have begun to implement this Devotion into my own Spiritual Life and the fruits appear, very very good indeed. ...and as Jesus Himself said: Matthew 7:16 A Tree and its Fruit 15Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.…
Thanks for the recommendations. I just ordered the print version. I find kindle hard to read. I struggle with DW literature. There is so much. I believe it is not seen as a devotion but more a way of life., like putting on an overcoat over all the devotions yo might already have.
Yes, Mary I did try to read books about this all before but failed to get it. They seemed very heavy and..well.. boring and I did not quite see the point. This book, though is very, very simple, direct and clear, I believe even a child could grasp it. But also you know as the old saying goes, 'When the disciple is ready the Master appears'. I have been praying and praying to help me understand and I do believe this book was God's answer. I think one thing about this Devotion that really hits home. That is that it is Prophetically right for the needs of our times. This to me appears to be the Gateway to the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It also seems to be the Gateway to reach the Prophesy of St Louis De Montford that at the End Times the Saints then living would tower over all other saints like the Lebanon Cedar over all other trees. This, it seems , because of Divine Will.
I am with you 100 percent Padraig. This is an enormous gift and grace from God to His Church. For us to be offered the opportunity to pray in the Father's will (instead of with the Father's will) and to be part of the Holy Spirit's Fiat of Sanctification for all of Creation from beginning to end, is a great gift that daughters and sons of God were always supposed to have. Jesus restored our relationship with God through the Paschal Mystery in His Fiat of Redemption and made it possible for the saints in Heaven to be completely in the divine will. Up to now (Louisa's time and beyond) Jesus, the head of the Mystical Body, restored these gifts to the entire Church but only the Church in Heaven could fully participate. Now, we are offered to be in "...thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven" and to pray with the efficacy that Adam had before the fall. Sisters and Brothers, I am still trying to get a grip on what all this means but I know it is for our time and what is coming (and also for us to render spiritual aid to all past members of the Church Suffering and Militant). Even if you chose to walk away from this, at least take a look through the eyes of love and discernment. Peace Brothers and Sisters, Ed
Hi Padraig, I'm delighted you are reading about and receiving insights into Divine Will! I personally know quite a few people who try to live it daily and as you mention, the fruits are something to be looked at seriously. Worthy of mention is that our vices and passions literally disappear overnight, and many of the sins which would bring people to frequent confession just cease. Some people who would have been receiving the sacrament weekly / monthly now find it can be 2 + months and they have to really dig deep to find something to tell the priest.
Wow!! What's not to like? I have only been trying this for a few days now, so I can really comment and as I have no vices, passions or sins I wouldn't know. I would be interested to know how this all relates to Devotion to Our Blessed Lady? We'll see, one step at a time.
In my own case I discovered it through doing the yearly Consecration to Our Lady by St. De Montfort, which I still do. And many of those I know who were led into this way of life / prayer have also had and have a deep Marian centred prayer life. As to your vices and sins.... ask your dogs
It is always good to see that you and I are on the same path, Padraig. And, as always, Our Lady is there with us! Let it be done unto me according to thy word!
Gateway is an excellent analogy --- Greg Dunne describes it as the red carpet being laid down by the Lord to prepare for the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Do be careful Padraig. 99% of what is in the book I'm quite sure is fine. It's the 1% that is used to lead us astray. Yes, her spiritual director was saintly, but there have been other saintly persons which have called her devotion - as currently translated and interpreted - heresy. There are many posts even here on our own forum where we see this take place. There's not much else to add, but I suppose that won't stop the two side from adding anyway. Here's my first contribution to the add: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/most/getwork.cfm?worknum=105
It is always good to exercise caution and discernment. As far as Mystical Marriage goes I entered it when I was 29 , about 36 years ago now. It's true from my own reading Mystical Authors always point to this as the end stage of the prayer life. Not that we stop there , it is more like a plateau, the end of prayer stages rather than the end of spiritual development. So I have been confused as to how Divine Will slots into this. Certainly it is only recently I have heard of this. My Spiritual Director never knew about or referred to it. So its true , caution and discernment are always good to have.
Well trying , 'gifting', to Divine Will today. I love to do this by inviting Jesus to walk with me and in me making all that I am subject to Divine Will. I fine this beautiful and enjoyable. I imagine myself as wearing Christ's Robes and being Christ to the world around. Actually you know St Patrick says this himself in his famous prayer, 'The breastplate'. I also pray to the Father, 'They Will be done in me as it is in heaven. I also pray to the Holy Ghost, 'Lead me guide my in Divine Will'. I was shown a beautiful thing in the Park. Everything looked black and white or sepia and then rippled out to technicolour as Divine Will spread from my heart all around. I think I might ask my priest about this in confession. He is something of a saint and I would value his opinion. It's truly wonderful to have a priest you admire and trust. Totally Orthodox and Catholic. They are getting rarer and rarer. As to Divine Will I will keep on trying and see how it goes. One thing; it's certainly interesting.
I think asking multiple priests about it is the way to go. There are some really weird things coming out of Luisa, and one concerns the Host. You can read about it at the end of Frodo's link above. UGH "the soul is consecrated in all the Hosts." UGH I get a visceral NO! whenever I think of this. My mind will not wrap around most of her writings. Also, be careful not to compare St. Patrick's mention of Divine Will (God's Will) with what Luisa and her movement call THE Divine Will.
