Finding Faustina’s Strength
“I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel with my eye upon you” — Psalm 32:8.
When we visit the grandkids who live in Florida, my husband and I attend a brand-new church built less than five minutes from their house. It’s a unique, bilingual community and reportedly the first church in the U.S. named for St. Faustina, whose feast we celebrate October 5.
Since we started attending as visitors, Faustina started following me around. I’ve developed a devotion to Divine Mercy, and Poland has made my travel bucket list. Her diary (“Divine Mercy in My Soul”) is a lovely source of inspiration and an additional way to truly hear Jesus, who spoke directly to her.
One of my favorite passages is about how God provides the strength we need for our work. Once, Faustina was upset because she struggled to manage heavy pots of cooked potatoes — one of her duties as a novice in the convent. She complained to God about her weakness.
“Then I heard the following words in my soul: From today on you will do this easily; I shall strengthen you. (Diary, 65)
That same day, when the time came to drain the potatoes, Faustina trusted the Lord’s words and grabbed the pot. She easily lifted the pot and poured off the water.
“But when I took off the cover to let the potatoes steam off, I saw there in the pot, in the place of the potatoes, whole bunches of red roses, beautiful beyond description … . [Then] I heard a voice within saying, I change such hard work of yours into bouquets of most beautiful flowers, and their perfume rises up to My throne (Diary, 65).
Wouldn’t it be nice to receive a beautiful bouquet every time you complete a difficult task? Whether we are cooking potatoes, writing articles, doing our books, or dealing with a grumpy client, giving our work to God makes it lighter.
St. Faustina’s daily tasks remained before her as she continued to commit her life to the Lord. She dealt with ridicule and doubt, ultimately dying young after a painful illness. How did she do it? The same way we can.
Pray, Worship, Surrender
St. Faustina lived in a convent, so she didn’t have to worry about anyone thinking her prayer time was “wasted.” Whether they are family, friends, or coworkers, you likely encounter someone who doesn’t understand why you pray or considers going to Mass a “waste of half a day.” They don’t need to understand. They don’t even need to know you’re praying. An internal dialogue with Jesus — or Mary or even Faustina — bears far more fruit than making a show of our piety.
One very appealing aspect of the religious life is daily Mass attendance and unquestioned, easy access to the sacraments. Most of us lay people, however, have far greater access than we ever take advantage of. Be honest with yourself. Could you go to daily Mass once or twice a week? Are the confession times at your church really that inconvenient? Partaking in the Eucharist more than once a week can be life changing. In short, spend as much time with Jesus as you can.
Surrendering may be the most difficult. I find this especially difficult with my adult children, who do not practice the faith. I regularly need to remind myself that I am not the author of anyone’s salvation. By accepting the graces and mercy others seem to spurn (Diary, 454), I become a greater instrument of God’s love — and love is what is needed the most.
Keep Trying
Faustina struggled too. Her diaries are hundreds of pages recounting repeated attempts to get as close to Jesus as possible. She didn’t succeed in every moment, but she didn’t give up. A later passage in Notebook III is a great reminder for all of us.
“When one day I resolved to practice a certain virtue, I lapsed into the vice opposed to that virtue ten times more frequently than on other days. In the evening, I was reflecting on why, today, I had lapsed so extraordinarily, and I heard the words: You were counting too much on yourself and too little on Me.” (Diary, 1087)
Our culture encourages hyper-independence, but Jesus desires — even demands — the opposite. We cannot fulfill our true purpose without His strength. When we surrender to Him, He will infuse our souls with power and courage. As St. Paul so eloquently put it: “I have strength for everything through Him who empowers me.” (Philippians 4:13)
St. Faustina, pray for us.
Sharon Bengel is a cradle Catholic with more than 30 years of experience in writing, communications and publication design. A recovering newspaper reporter with a crush on the prophet Jeremiah, Sharon loves discovering new things about the scriptures. She runs an LLC out of her home office in southwest Ohio where she keeps a stash of chocolate for her grandkids.