I recently reviewed 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina by author Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle. I have greatly enjoyed leafing through Donna-Marie’s book and rededicating my prayer time to saying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the prayer that Jesus gave St. Faustina.
52 Weeks with St. Faustina lends itself to people like me! I start the year with the greatest intention of completing a 52-week devotional and then fade in dedication and zeal and have to jump back on the wagon numerous times. Fortunately, since the chapters do not have assigned dates, readers like me can begin the book at any time or retrieve the book and re-join the spiritual exercises with St. Faustina without feeling obliged to skip weeks.
Another thing I love about the book is that the table of contents is thematic. If you especially need prayers for overcoming fear, there’s a chapter for that! Grace? There’s a chapter for that, too! Forgiveness, doubt, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, or obedience? There are weeks dedicated to these topics as well. This book meets readers exactly where they are in life. You can progress through the book week by week or jump around thematically.
My favorite aspect of 52 Weeks with St. Faustina is that Donna-Marie incorporates significant portions of St. Faustina’s Diary into the reflections. This leaves readers with Jesus’ words to Faustina as well as a flavor of her personality and glimpses of her path to sanctity. Friends, I will leave you with a few of my favorite quotes from St. Faustina:
On Patience:
Patience in adversity gives power to the soul. – Diary, 607
On Staying in the Present Moment:
Oh present moment, you belong to me, whole and entire. I desire to use you as best I can. – Diary, 2
On Humility:
Today, as God’s Majesty swept over me, my soul understood that the Lord, so very great though He is, delights in humble souls. – Diary, 1092
For Encouragement:
O my Jesus, despite the deep night that is all around me and the dark clouds which hide the horizon, I know that the sun never goes out. – Diary, 73
On Forgiveness:
We resemble God most when we forgive our neighbors. Diary, 1148
Do you have a favorite quote from St. Faustina? Share it in the comments! As my six year-old says, “Sharing is caring!”
Elizabeth, this is exactly what I have been looking for and needing so desperately!! Thank you!! I prayed the other day , sadly it had been awhile but he has answered the prayers close to my heart and brought answers to so many of my questions/desires since!! Our God is an awesome God!
God Bless your blogs! Keep it up!
Thanks, Karen! How cool to have a reader in Jordan!!!
Thank you Karen!!! Miss you!!!