If you tune in to Ave Maria Radio at 3 p.m. any day, you’ll hear the sung recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet led by Brian Flynn, pictured, Director of Parish Youth Discipleship for the Diocese of Lansing. Today, upon the feast of Saint Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938), whose visions inspired the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Brian now reflects on his devotion to the prayer, writing:
Having grown up near the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and serving as an altar boy at many events there in my youth, I was introduced to the Divine Mercy devotion at an early age. At many of those events, priests and other presenters would quote passages from the Diary of Saint Faustina, the Polish religious sister who began receiving visions and messages from Jesus in 1931, experiences that continued until 1938.
Of all the passages from her Diary that I heard during those years, one that continues to resonate with me is this:
“My child, all your sins have not wounded My Heart as painfully as your present lack of trust does, that after so many efforts of My love and mercy, you should still doubt My goodness.” (Diary, 1486).
In the passages leading up to this one, Saint Faustina is conversing with our Lord, confessing her fear of Him and her doubts about His goodness and mercy toward her. She seems to be dwelling on her sins and weaknesses, while the Lord continues to reassure her. He eventually addresses her fears by telling her that her lack of trust wounds His Heart more than her actual sins.
I, too, sometimes find myself living in fear and doubt because of my sinfulness. This passage has brought me great consolation over the years, reminding me that Jesus desires not only my repentance but also my trust in His love and mercy.
I hope these words of Jesus bring you the same consolation and encourage you, as they have me, to place your trust in Him.
Jesus, I trust in You!
Saint Faustina, pray for us!
