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nothing, which sufficed, and I noticed that my state of holiness seemed to falter. But from
now on, my eyes are fixed on You. O Christ, who are for me the best of guides, I am
confident that You will bless my efforts (Diary, # 1333).
(21.5) “Suffer in Silence and Stay Calm Interiorly and Exteriorly, Like a Dove” 277
Sr. Faustina wrote in her Diary:
I resolved to 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
(Diary, # 126).
(21.6) On Bearing Silent Martyrdom All for Jesus (Diary, # 182)
Sr. Faustina wrote in her Diary:
Today I was cleaning the room of one of the sisters. Although I was trying to
clean it with utmost care, she kept following me all the time, and saying, “You’ve
left a speck of dust here and a spot on the floor there.” At each of her remarks, I
did each place over a dozen times just to satisfy her. It is not work that makes me
tired, but all this talking and excessive demands. My whole day’s martyrdom was
not enough for her, so she went to the Directress and complained, “Mother, who
is this careless sister who doesn’t know how to work quickly?” The next day, I
went again to do the same job, without trying to explain myself. When she started
driving me, I thought, “Jesus, one can be a silent martyr; it is not the work that
wears you out, but this kind of martyrdom.” I learned that certain people have a
special gift for vexing others. They try you as best they can. The poor soul that
falls into their hands can do nothing right; her best efforts are maliciously
criticized (Diary, # 182).
277
Ibid., Faustina, Diary, # 126.
160