I was praying and had the very strong thought that Mary is with you and is consoling you in your walk with Jesus even though you don't feel Him there. Be at peace and rely all you want on Mary, whose only goal is to lead all to her son Jesus. She will take you to Jesus. Pray and we all will be praying for and with you. This is a great group of pray-ers united in Jesus praying for and with you and where two or more are gathered in His name He is there.
Sanctus, There's a prayer I've been led to pray from a few years back. Whenever I sense a terrible fear or desolation coming over me, I say, Jesus, lay Thy hand over my heart and take this poison away. It has never failed me and I pray it gives you the break you need. God be with you.
My devotion of choice always leans toward Divine Mercy. During these last 8-9 months trying to stand strong in relying on our God given natural immunity over shots has been some of the most difficult months in our family's life. With my mother sick and my sister being ER doc, pressures and divisions from family, friends and coworkers was intense. Thankfully a few understood. During this time, feeling abandoned by Jesus often it was reading and reflecting on Divine Mercy that got me and us through till now. My condensed booklet of Jesus' words to Faustina which fostered the creation of the mercy hour, chaplet, novena, image and feast day helped me to remember we arn't alone or abandoned even when we feel like we are. I've never said Jesus, I trust in You more in my life. The whole time fighting against the feeling we truly are left on own own, I forced myself to trust in Him even when I barely believed it. Today, I look back and see how Jesus acted and assisted in ways it was hard to see at the time. Sadly, many issues and broken relationships still exist but I still retain hope that with me trying to humbly see how I was part of the problem and seeking Jesus' Mercy for my failings He may assist in repairing fractured family relationships. I hold no ill feelings for many toxic words thrown at me but only God can turn their hearts. I will open the door to the possibility of fixing things. Me and my twin sister may never be the same again I fear. Every hair is counted and every thought, feeling and action is known by Christ. Why God allows us to feel abandoned is a great mystery but blind trust is required daily. Mother Mary is the best advocate to assist in times of dryness. God tests those He loves. Didn't mean to hijack your thread. Just wanted to share my story. God Bless.
Your words are comforting MMM and ring so true. Jesus knew we would need to trust Him. He knew this devotion would be essential in these days--more so than the terrible war years of 1939-45. It was His gracious gift. The priest at Mass this morning gave the most eloquent heart felt homily.i wish I could remember. But he said that like the desert fathers we too will take our whole lives to reach the place where we can sit before our Lord in the tabernacle and simply say "Jesus I need Your Mercy." No beating the breast and no drama--just a deep awareness of our absolute weakness and sin and His absolute Love and Mercy. To just gaze on Him accepting deep into our souls His love and His mercy. He said for most of us this takes a lifetime.
I feel cut off from God and Jesus. I dont feel Mary either. I'm sorry for my sins I repent of my sins
Yes, I felt this very strongly in prayer now. You know people pray, O Lord purify me, sanctify me! I always cringe and want to say-BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK OF GOD! This is a prayer our good Lord will answer. And guess what? Purification is painful! Very painful. I didn't realize how very painful it would be. I believe you are going though a purification process and with very strong temptation. Now who is Mary? She told us at Lourdes. I AM THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. God has given us the Immaculate Conception for our mother to form us into Jesus! What a perfect gift! No wonder He is soo offended by our rejection of this perfect gift and outright blasphemies against this precious holy gift and asks for reparation from us. She is here for our purification. Look at your signature to your posts. Jesus I Trust in You. Totus Tuus Maria. John Paul II explained in a Dec. 8, 2003 Letter to the Montfort Religious Family, "[T]he motto Totus tuus is inspired by the teaching of St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort. These two words express total belonging to Jesus through Mary: 'Tuus totus ego sum, et omnia mea tua sunt', St. Louis Marie wrote, and he translates his words: 'I am all yours, and all that I have is yours, O most loving Jesus, through Mary, your most holy Mother' (Treatise on True Devotion, n. 233) This is the painful part of purification, to be true to our own words. To really believe and trust in God's goodness. I have to remind myself several times a day-the devil believes in God and trembles before Him, but he does not believe in God's goodness. That is always a shock to my reality. Who am I following and believing in. Simple trust and surrender to our good Lord sounds easy but is hard. Jesus I surrender myself to You! You take care of everything!
the fact that you feel sadness at the supposed absence of God in your life is a sign of divine predestination; like a son who loves his father and is sad when he is far away.
Sanctus I am currently listening to a 17 day retreat of St Elizabeth of the Trinity, (a Carmelite saint) that Mario has provided for forum members. The thread is called Retreat with St Elizabeth, it is on the list of current threads in the main menu, as of the last few days. I've read your heartfelt pleas over the last couple of years, have replied at times and continue to pray for you. I believe you are searching for answers to the dark night of the soul, that you seem to be suffering. I believe you need direction from a holy confessor, so please continue to search for one that can give you consolation. Meanwhile in the current retreat that I am following, put up by Mario above, in session 7 we hear from the wonderful Dr Lilles (who is guiding us through St Elizabeth's last retreat), that there are signs that indicate you are suffering the dark night. I hope this helps! Dr Lilles states, you will know you are in the dark night of the soul if ..... 1) You have remained in a state of Grace. 2) You have retained the practice of prayer. 3) You have not backslid into sin. 4) And you are maintaining the disciplines of the spiritual life! You therefore, can be certain that God has permitted you to suffer the interior and exterior trials of the dark night and be assured this is a grace!
Thanks Josephite. I keep praying to Jesus and Mary. I hope they can help me. I'm doing the 33 day consecration to Mary at the moment.
How wonderful that you continue with your Consecration. One day at a time, Sanctus! One day at a time!
