Carol -- Week 5

Two thirds of this week's reading seemed like the same thing that she has said in the prior pages.  She appears to me to be very down on herself.  She seems to feel that she isn't doing enough for others or for the conversion of her husband.  Her health seems to be pulling her spirit down also.  By the end of this week's reading, she seemed to have picked herself up.  She is a beautifully spiritual woman in my eyes.

On page 100 she states that it is a source of pain and difficult sacrifice to have to divide one's life so much and this sometimes leads to a feeling in others that not enough is being done for them.  I understand this feeling within my own family.  The more I and my husband give to our children, the more they expect.  And then they blame us when their lives are all messed up.  She was a stronger woman than I will ever be.

RE:  questions-- Do I speak too much about myself? I suppose I do; but this book talks right to me for a lot of things.  Silence is something I may never accomplish.  I try and try............

Corrine....Week 7

Week 7 End of Spiritual Testament PP 133-145

I find it amazing…..saintly…..how she continues to make resolutions while in her severe suffering.

Pg. 133  “How well Thou knowest, O Lord, how to try souls, and what a tool for purification in Thy hands is suffering!”   I am far from being that saintly.  I need to realize I need to accept whatever suffering, even when minor, in reparation for my sins and for saving of souls…and the Church.

Elisabeth said….in spite of her sufferings “I can say a joyful fiat, if by so many crucifying pains I obtain from Thee the fulfillment of my desires and all the graces I have hoped for, and if my sufferings serve souls”.  She lives to save souls….and isn’t that what we are here for!

And with her suffering she wants to be cheerful and smiling so everyone doesn’t suspect her intense suffering.  How non-glory seeking she is!

And in her suffering she wants “to forget myself more so that I may think of others; to think and speak of myself as little as possible…”  She did not want to draw attention to herself.

Pg. 136  Her constant petitions……….”grant health and real sanctification to those I love”, “save and convert many souls”, “blessings on Thy beloved Church”.  What selfless love she had.

Elisabeth’s July 16, 1913 entry was something to ponder word by word!  Then in her last entry, January 9, 1914 is another to ponder…. “And so long as no least part of my pain is lost! Stronger than my poor action, stronger than my imperfect prayer, may it reach Thy Heart and become the most efficacious form of supplication.”   And then she says….”and teach me to love and serve Thee better”.

I pray I can learn to face suffering like Elisabeth did, even in a smidgen start.