Digital Continent Digital Continent_Template amended | Page 78

At another time, Sr. Faustina went through a profound “spiritual suffering,” which was
beyond words to describe. She felt intense antipathy towards everything created. She also
planned to omit receiving Holy Communion with no specific reason except that she did not feel
like doing it. But the Sister Directress would not allow it. She reminded Sr. Faustina how she
battled against her physical suffering so courageously under the power of holy obedience that the
Lord was pleased and obliged to end her trial quickly. The Mother Superior now required of her,
to receive Holy Communion with the same fidelity to holy obedience as she had shown
previously. Sr. Faustina obeyed and realized shortly that holy obedience freed her from her
“spiritual suffering” or spiritual frailty.
(12.3) Holy Obedience Rescues a Soul Crippled by its Great Distress 152
(Diary, # 68): Sr. Faustina wrote in her Diary that at some point, she felt abandoned by
God, as He seemed to have become deaf to her prayers. She admitted that her suffering appeared
weightiest when her prayers or good works seemed not to please God as indicated by His silence.
It made her feel dejected, hopeless, and confused, which compounded her difficulty to reach out
to others for help. It seemed like double darkness shrouded God’s Presence in her life.
Surprisingly, she was even unable to articulate her troubles to others. She went into such great
distress that it took a great toll on her. She now appeared physically wasted, which aroused the
sympathy of her convent community. Going to Confession and doing the prescribed penances
were not helpful. A holy Confessor tried to help her. He assured her that God had great plans for
her, that it was great grace to allow her to suffer much, and that He was actually more pleased
with her in her miserable state than if she were in the midst of consolations. The Mother
Superior also attempted to counsel her to seek God’s grace and comfort. But, the Mother
152
Ibid., Faustina, Diary, # 68.
67