Hello, I'm Father Joe Roche of the Marrient Fathers of the Immaculate Conception.

Thank you for joining us as we continue with our year-long journey,

reading the Diary of St. Maria Faustina Cavalska from beginning to end.

Today we take up from where we left off, beginning with Diary Entry Number 449.

August 5, 1935, the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy.

I prepared for this feast with greater zeal than in previous years. On the morning of the feast itself, I experienced an inner struggle

at the thought that I must leave this congregation

which enjoys such special protection from Mary. This struggle lasted through the meditation and through

the First Mass as well. During the Second Mass, I turned to our Holy Mother, telling her that it was

difficult for me to separate myself from this congregation, which is under your special protection, O Mary.

Then I saw the Blessed Virgin, unspeakably beautiful. She came down from the altar to my kneeler, held me close to herself, and said to me, I am mother to you all, thanks to the unfathomable

mercy of God. Most pleasing to me is that soul which faithfully carries out the will of God.

She gave me to understand that I had faithfully fulfilled the will of God and had thus found

favor in his eyes. Be courageous.

Do not fear apparent obstacles, but fix your gaze upon the passion of my son, and in this way

you will be victorious.

Nocturnal adoration. I was suffering very much, and it seemed to me I would not be able to make my adoration,

but I gathered up all my willpower, and although I collapsed in my cell,

I paid no attention to what ailed me, for I had the passion of Jesus before my eyes.

When I entered the chapel, I received an

inner understanding of the great reward that God is preparing for us, not only for our good

deeds, but also for our sincere desire to perform them. What a great grace of God this is.

...