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(17.3) On Praying and Suffering as a “Victim” Soul to Atone for Others’ Sin 210
The plight of a resident student (a ward under the care of the Sisters in their convent to
help them “reform” their lives), came to Sr. Faustina’s attention. 211 Apparently, the student was
facing the frightful temptation to commit suicide. Thus, Sr. Faustina offered up her own self to
suffer gravely in reparation for this student’s sin for seven days. As Jesus granted her petition
after the seven days, her sufferings also stopped.
Just like Sr. Josefa Menendez, Sr. Faustina was expressly called by the Lord to imitate
Him to be a “complete sacrifice…a victim” soul to atone for others’ sin, moved by total and pure
love of God, all for His glory. 212 Just like Sr. Josefa, Sr. Faustina imitated “Jesus Christ, Victim
of Love” 213 and offered up herself “to suffer… for Him and in Him (who) bears fruit for all”
(CCC, 961). Imitated Christ the Redeemer who “handed Himself over to save” man, in keeping
with the Father’s will as well as for His love for Him and man (CCC 605-606). Imitated Christ
who “suffered voluntarily and innocently;” His Passion and death “linked to Love…that creates
good…the supreme good of Redemption.” 214 As Sr. Faustina herself stated, “I often take upon
myself the torments of our students,” which meant suffering greatly for their spiritual needs, with
the express permission by Jesus and her Confessors ( Diary, # 192) .
Sr. Josefa and Sr. Faustina were “chosen…little brides” of Jesus Christ, who lived in
transformed union by Him; to imitate Him as the Suffering Servant immolated as “an offering
for sin” (Is 53 1-12), lxv 215 or “a living sacrifice” for sinners (Diary, # 908). And they were
210
Ibid., Faustina, Diary, # 192; Menendez, Sister Josefa. The Way of Divine Love, 48, 206, 209, 334.
Ibid., Faustina, Diary, Addenda: The Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, 1.
212
Ibid., Menendez, Sister Josefa, The Way of Divine Love, 48, 206, 334.
213
Ibid., Menendez, Sister Josefa, The Way of Divine Love, 452, 455.
214
Ibid, Pope John Paul II, Salvifici Doloris, IV.
215
Ibid., Menendez, Sister Josefa, The Way of Divine Love, 456, 458.
211
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