Hello, I'm Father Joe Roche of the Marian 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 Kavalska from beginning to end.

Today we take up from where we left off, beginning with diary entry number 1243.

August 15, 1937, Father Andrash's instructions.

These times of dryness and stark awareness of one's wretchedness, which God has permitted,

allow the soul to know how little it can do by itself. They will teach you

how much you should appreciate God's graces. Secondly, faithfulness in all exercises and duties,

faithfulness in everything, just as in times of joy.

Thirdly, as regards the matters in question, be absolutely obedient to the Archbishop,

Yalbzhakowski, although from time to time the matter can be brought to his attention,

but peacefully. Sometimes a little bitter truth is necessary.

At the end of the conversation, I asked the priest to allow me to commune with Jesus as I had done formally.

He answered, I cannot give orders to the Lord Jesus, but if he himself draws you to himself, you may follow the attraction.

However, always remember to show him great reverence, for the Lord is great indeed.

If you are truly seeking God's will in all this and desire to fulfill it, you can be at peace. The Lord will not allow any sort of error.

As to the mortifications and sufferings, you will give me an account next time of how you carry

them out. Place yourself in the hands of the Most Holy Mother. August 15, 1937.

During meditation, God's presence pervaded me keenly, and I was aware of the Virgin Mary's

joy at the moment of her assumption.

Towards the end of the ceremony, carried out in honor of the Mother of God,

I saw the Virgin Mary, and she said to me, Oh, how very pleased I am with the homage of your love.

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