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for the sake of God. A soul would know that he loves his enemies: if he “does not lose his
peace” despite the miseries through them, prays for them, “merciful” to them,” and “wishes them
well.” Sr. Faustina wrote in her Diary:
During the Holy Mass, I saw Jesus stretched out on the Cross, and He said to me,
My pupil, have great love for those who cause you suffering. Do good to those
who hate you. I answered, O my Master, You see very well that I feel no love for
them, and that troubles me. Jesus answered, It is not always within your power to
control your feelings. You will recognize that you have love if, after having
experienced annoyance and contradiction, you do not lose your peace, but pray
for those who have made you suffer and wish them well (Diary, # 1628)…
I am glad you behaved like My true daughter. Be always merciful as I am
merciful. Love everyone out of love for Me, even your greatest enemies, so that
My mercy may be fully reflected in your heart (Diary, # 1695).
(12.7) Gaining the Grace of Love for Others by Embracing the Cross, in Christ 255
(Diary, # 1453- 1454): Sr. Faustina wrote in her Diary that on New Year’s day of 1938
(she passes away in October 1938), she remained bedridden just like the day before, in great
physical and moral suffering, and “writhing in pain” at times. She was too sick to leave her room
to go to Mass or to go to Confession. Unfortunately, no one bothered to check on her general
wellbeing. To make matters worse, the Sister-Infirmarian scolded and “lectured” her for being in
bed when she had no fever, and especially for not bothering to go to Mass on “a great Feast
Day.” Also, another Sister told her that there was “milk with butter in the oven,” but did not
bring it to her bedside. And even after learning that Sr. Faustina could not avail of it herself, she
still left things as they were. Then, Mother Superior also “looked in” briefly, but did not ask if
she needed anything. Sr. Faustina would have wanted to go to Confession, if the Mother Superior
asked her. All of them missed the fact that Sr. Faustina was gravely ill and bedridden.
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Ibid., Faustina, Diary, # 1453-1454.
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