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But, in God’s grace, she felt joy in the depths of her soul, instead of anger or spitefulness,
which surprised a Sister who had felt sorry for her. Sr. Faustina then came to realize, “I see now
that a soul cannot do much of itself, but with God it can do all things. Behold what God’s grace
can do. Few are the souls that are always watchful for divine graces, and even fewer of such
souls who follow those inspirations faithfully” (Diary, # 138).
(Diary, # 1033): Sr. Faustina had to deal patiently with herself, realizing her limitations.
She wrote in her Diary, “When I see that the burden is beyond my strength, I do not consider or
analyze it or probe into it, but I run like a child to the Heart of Jesus and say only one word to
Him: “You can do all things.” And then I keep silent, because I know that Jesus Himself will
intervene in the matter, and as for me, instead of tormenting myself, I use that time to love Him.”
(Diary, # 1087): At another time, Sr. Faustina’s patience with herself was tested when
she repeatedly attempted to practice a virtue, but then failed repeatedly. She said to herself, “I
kept doing the opposite and slipping into the vice instead. Even worse, I did it ten times more
frequently.” While reviewing her plight, she heard Jesus say, “You were counting too much on
yourself and too little on Me.” She then learned the reason for her lapses too.
III B.10 The Practice of the Different Virtues in Sr. Faustina’s Own Words (Diary, # 401)
(10.1) Affability [Behaving appropriately socially with others]
Religion [Giving due worship to God]
Both are allied to Justice, a Moral/Cardinal Virtue 245
The days at home passed in much company, as everybody wanted to see me and
talk with interest to me. Often I could count as many as twenty-five people there.
They listened with great to my accounts of the lives of the saints. It seemed to me
that our house was truly the house of God, as each evening we talked about
nothing but God. When, tired from these talks and yearning for solitude and
silence, I quietly slipped out into the garden in the evening so I could converse
with God alone, even in this I was unsuccessful (Diary, # 401).
245
Ibid., Waldron, “Virtue,” The Catholic Encyclopedia, Internet, 3.
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