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 Kowalska from beginning to end.

Today we take up from where we left off, beginning with diary entry number 216.

We have come to Beginning with Diary Entry Number 216.

We have come to Crackow today, April 18, 1933. What a joy it is to find myself again where I took my first steps in the spiritual life.

Dear Mother Directoress, Mary Joseph, is ever the same, cheerful and full of love of

neighbor. I entered the chapel for a moment, and joy filled my soul. In a flash, I recalled the whole

ocean of graces that had been given me as a novice here. And today we gathered together to go for an hour's visit to the

Navisit. The mother directoress Mary Joseph gave us a short talk and outlined the program

of the retreat. As she spoke these few words to us, I saw before my eyes all the good things

this dear mother had done for us. I felt in my soul such profound gratitude

toward her. My heart grieved at the thought that this was the last time I would be in the

novitiate. Now I must battle together with Jesus, work with Jesus, suffer with Jesus. In a word,

live and die with Jesus. Mother directress will no longer be at my

heels to teach me here, warn me there, or to admonish, encourage, or reproach me. I am so afraid

of being on my own. Jesus do something about this. I will always have a superior, that's true, but now a person

is left more on her own. Crackow, April 21, 1933, for the greater glory of God, the eight-day retreat

before perpetual vows. I'm beginning the retreat today, Jesus, my master, guide me, govern me according to your will.

Purify my love, that it may be worthy of you.

Do with me as your most merciful heart desires.

Jesus, there will be just the two of us during these days until the moment of our

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