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 125. All these things could still be endured,

but when the Lord demanded that I should paint that picture,

they began to speak openly about me and to regard me as a

as a hysteric and a phantacist, and the rumors began to grow louder.

One of the sisters came to talk to me in private. She began by

pitying me and said, I've heard them say that you are a fantasist sister and that you've been

having visions. My poor sister, defend yourself in this matter. She was a sincere soul and she

told me sincerely what she had heard,

but I had to listen to such things every day. God only knows how tiring it was. Yet, I resolved to

hear, bear everything in silence, and to give no explanations when I was questioned. Some were irritated by my silence, especially those who were more curious.

Others who reflected more deeply said,

Sister Faustina must be very close to God,

if she has the strength to bear so much suffering.

It was as if I were facing two groups of judges. I strove after

interior and exterior silence. I said nothing about myself, even though I was questioned

directly by some sisters. My lips were sealed. I suffered like a dove without complaint.

But some sisters seemed to find pleasure in vexing me in whatever way they could. My patience irritated them. But God gave me so much inner

strength that I endured it calmly. I learned that I would have help with no one at such moments,

and I started to pray and beg the Lord for a confessor. My only desire was that some priest would say this one word to me, be at peace,

...