MEDITATION ON DIVINE MERCY IN THE DARK NIGHT OF UNKNOWING / by Joe Castorino

Inspired by the Saints

Following the guidance of

St. Francis de Sales, I pray:

Dearest Jesus,

King of Divine Mercy,

I place myself in your holy presence,

and I beseech you to inspire me

by the power of the Holy Spirit

for the glory of God the Father.

Vive Jésus!

Our Lady of Love

then comes to me,

encouragingly,

and quoting the words

of St. Paul the Apostle,

she begins to prepare me

for the spiritual battle

and says to me,

Be filled with the Spirit,

singing to the Lord,

and giving thanks always.

Then, Our Lady,

smiling peacefully,

reminds me of the words

of San Padre Pio,

and says to me,

Prega e spera:

non agitarti.

L’agitazione

non giova a nulla.

Iddio è misericordioso,

e ascolterà

la tua preghiera.

(Pray and hope:

don’t be agitated.

Agitation doesn’t help at all.

God is merciful,

and He will hear

your prayer.)

Our Lady then quotes

the words of St. John Paul II,

and joyfully says to me:

Non abbiate paura.

(Don’t be afraid.)

Then, Our Lady gives me

the kiss of peace

on each cheek

and continues,

with greater emphasis:

Non abbiate paura!

(Don’t be afraid!)

Our Lady then embraces me

with tender motherly love

and, echoing the words

of St. John Paul the Great,

she says to me:

I love you! I love you!

I love you! I love you!

Then, Our Lady does

what she does best:

she leads me to Jesus

and humbly says,

Fate quello que vi dirà.

(Do whatever He tells you.)

Our Lord of Love

then stands before me,

in gentleness,

and says to me,

Approach this Sea of Mercy

with great trust.

Then, Our Lady,

at Jesus’ side,

speaks again,

and quoting St. Augustine,

she continues preparing me

for the spiritual battle

and kindly says to me,

Patience

is the companion

of wisdom.

Our Lady then reminds me

of the words of

Venerable Fulton J. Sheen,

and calmly says to me,

When Our Blessed Lord

came to this earth,

He had the divine

sense of humor.

Then, Our Lady speaks

in the spirit of

St. Francis of Assisi,

and wisely says to me,

True joy is divine mercy

in the dark night.

After doing all these things,

Our Lady sweetly kneels before Jesus,

and then speaks the words of

St. Louis de Montfort’s consecration,

faithfully saying to Him:

Tuus totus ego sum,

et omnia mea tua sunt.

Then, humbly kneeling

side-by-side with Our Lady,

I continue St. Louis’ prayer,

and I wholeheartedly say,

I am all yours, O my Jesus,

and all that I have is yours,

through Santa Maria,

your most holy mother.

Our Lady then stands,

faces me once again,

and speaks the same

inspiring words to me

that she spoke

to St. Faustina:

Be courageous.

Do not fear

apparent obstacles,

but fix your gaze

on the Passion of my Son,

and in this way

you will be victorious.

At last, I find myself

transported in spirit to

The Sermon on the Mount,

and I hear Jesus,

The Divine Mercy,

speak sincerely

and lovingly to me,

and He says,

Come to me,

all you who are weary

and find life burdensome,

and I will refresh you.

Take my yoke

upon your shoulders

and learn from me,

for I am gentle

and humble of heart.

Your souls shall find rest,

for my yoke is easy,

and my burden light.

Amen.