Carol: Week 1

I am on fire with this book.  Just reading the first assignment was exciting!  Some of the info that jumped out at me follows.

Elisabeth prayed incessantly for Felix's return to the Faith and for him to practice his religion.  I relate to this as I pray daily for my children to return to the Church and not practice their religion according to their own guidelines, but to follow what they have been taught is correct.  Apparently, they find it too hard to do the right thing.  Elisabeth prayed secretly and never argued or spoke to Felix about the supernatural side of her life.  She lived by example and carried out herself the advice that she gave.  When a child of mine asks for my advice, I find myself making comments about religion, which is a big turn off to them.  I think this book will get me on the right path.  Here is a quote from the book (pg. xiv):  "He alone will do what must be done, and will bring life to the souls for which we act and pray."  I believe this sums everything up!!!

Felix states on that same page "God heard the constant prayer that it concealed and, when the sacrifice was fully accomplished answered it abundantly."  And at the end of that paragraph he states "He let my poor soul hear His voice."  I am a firm believer that God answers all prayers in His time and His own  way.

On pg xv, Felix states:  "Strictly speaking, Elisabeth's Journal is the history of a soul, noting the principal stages of its evolution, a kind of examination of conscience set down by hand at odd moments."  I think this one sentence really sums up what this book is all about.

A few other thoughts that jumped out at me are:

pg. xvii:  Elisabeth sought holiness while living in the world.
pg. xx:  All her moral being was rooted in God.
pg. xxiii:  Thanks to Divine Providence, the very work that I (Felix) thought would accomplish my (Felix)                      hateful object brought about its ruin.
pg. xxxi:  When Providence prefers to work by means of suffering I (Elisabeth) think we should not complain                too much.  In hours of trial certain graces are obtained for others.