Finding Joy in the day, Day 6 (Year 6)

Communion

'Let him who finds himself desolate remember how strong he is by grace, which is sufficient to enable him to overcome all his enemies, and that he should take courage in his Lord and Creator.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 5 (Year 6)

Two friends planning a visit

'Grant, O my God, that throughout my life, I may love Thee with true, ardent and persevering love.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 4 (Year 6)

Getting some devotional time today

'My divine Savior has given to understand that those who work for the salvation of souls will have a gift of touching the most hardened hearts, and will labor with marvelous success, if they themselves are penetrated with a tender devotion to His Divine Heart.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 3 (Year 6)

Two friends in one day

'Every one should try to have his heart always occupied and filled with God, to love Him and think of Him only, and whether alone or with others never to be out of His presence.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 1 (WELCOME YEAR 6) Solemnity of St. Joseph

An amazing friend, I love you DL

'Mary is the Queen of Angels and Saints; Joseph is the spouse of Mary, therefore he is also the King of Angels and Saints; and consequently it is allowable to invoke him by this title, notwithstanding that the Church has consecrated the custom of addressing this invocation principally to Jesus Christ.'

St. Leonard of Port Maurice

Finding Joy in the day, Day 2 (Year 6)

Being willing to try something new and hard

Finding Joy in the day, Day 365 (last day of Year 5)

Reconciling with friends

'When you have committed faults, do not be anxious because anxiety, uneasiness and too much agitation withdraw the soul from God and cause Jesus Christ to withdraw from the soul. Let us, rather, ask pardon of Him and beg His Sacred Heart to restore us to favor.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 364 (Year 5)

Seeing two friends and a priest today

We must show charity towards the sick, who are in greater need of help. Let us take them some small gift if they are poor, or, at least, let us go and wait on them and comfort them.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Finding Joy in the day, Day 363 (Year 5)

Confession and communion despite the priest being so busy on a Sunday

'The true peace of God, penetrating the depth of the soul, brings with it every help and grace necessary to secure its salvation and reach eternal life.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 361 (Year 5)

Getting help with my laundry

'Keep your soul always in peace, with love and trust in our Lord, and -- I repeat -- remember what you have promised Him, that is to say, undivided love, persevering humility and generous mortification. This is what you owe to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 362 (Year 5)

Having some really nice nurses

'As you are of good will, I am sure that if you are faithful, the Sacred Heart will help you to make this sacrifice which will draw upon you many blessings. But you must not think this can be done all at once and without a struggle; there must be many a battle. To gain the victory you must persevere.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 359 (Year 5)

Getting a new book

'Not only do I desire that thou shouldst do what thy Superiors command, but also that thou shouldst do nothing of all that I order thee without their consent. I love obedience, and without it no one can please Me.'

The Lord, to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 360 (Year 5)

Getting some new essential oils

'On the other hand, gentleness attains its highest expression when we keep our heart calm in the face of someone who is provoking us, and actually show him our love.'

St. John Climacus

Finding Joy in the day, Day 358 (Year 5)

A friend running an errand for me

'I must work with all my strength to destroy self-love and self-interest.'

St. Bernadette Soubirous

Finding Joy in the day, Day 357 (Year 5)

A quieter day

'There is no surer or clearer proof of the love of God than adversity.'

St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 356 (Year 5)

Not having to go out in the bad weather

'Often tell Jesus that you love him very much, and that you wish to die for love of him. Behold our love, Jesus; behold our life, Jesus; behold our all, Jesus. Let us accompany Jesus in all his ways. When we are alone, let it be with Jesus in the solitude of Bethlehem when we are traveling, let us think that we are with Jesus in Palestine or on the way to Calvary; when we are lashed by biting criticisms, behold us scourged with Jesus; when we are fixed to the cross, behold we are crucified with Jesus.'

St. Gaspar del Bufalo

Finding Joy in the day, Day 355 (Year 5)

People advocating on my behalf

'When the devil again tempts you to sin, telling you that God is merciful, remember that the Lord showeth mercy to them that fear Him, but not to them who despise Him.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Finding Joy in the day, Day 354 (Year 5)

Encouragement from others

'He who knows God's will, and performs it according to his power, escapes more severe suffering by suffering a little.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 352 (Year 5)

Better coffee

'In God's sight, our cross is as a precious balm which loses its aroma on exposure to the air; therefore we must make every effort to hide our cross and carry it in silence.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 353 (Year 5)

Seeing a friend after more than a year

'Preserve the harmony of the soul's virtues, and it will bring forth the fruit of righteousness.'

St. Thalassios the Libyan

Finding Joy in the day, Day 351 (Year 5)

A bag of better apples

'I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world.'

John 6:51-52

Finding Joy in the day, Day 350 (Year 5)

Prayers from family and friends

'A soul who desires to make progress in the spiritual life should always act contrary to the enemy.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 349 (Year 5)

Trying a new yummy tea

'The life of Christ was but a continuous cross.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 348 (Year 5)

Trying to come to terms with adjustment

'We should consider our departed brethren as living members of Jesus Christ, animated by His grace, and certain of participating one day of His glory. We should therefore love, serve, and assist them as far as is in our power.'

St. Vincent de Paul

Finding Joy in the day, Day 347 (Year 5)

Getting things worked out

'Kiss the hands of God, crucified for you, the hands that have struck you and caused you to suffer. Repeat over and over again to Him His own words to His Father while He was suffering: Not my will but thine be done. In all that Thou wishest of me, today and for always, in heaven and on earth, let Thy will be done, but let it be done on earth as it is done in heaven.'

St. Claude de la Colombiere

Finding Joy in the day, Day 346 (Year 5)

Gratitude of others

'We must love this Sacred Heart, with all our strength and with all our capacity. Yes, we must love Him, and He will establish His empire and will reign in spite of all His enemies and their opposition.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 345 (Year 5)

Hearing from my friend

'I have sinned against God, and have broken His commandments a thousand times. Wretch that I am, I deserve to be beaten and ill-treated by every one, and I ought only to be considered as dirt and smoke.'

St. John of God

Finding Joy in the day, Day 344 (Year 5)

My brother in laws help

'He who wishes to avoid future troubles should endure his present troubles gladly. For in this way, balancing the one against the other, through small sufferings he will avoid those which are great.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 343 (Year 5)

New toothpaste

'"For just as wax melteth before fire," so also the soul is paralyzed by praise and loses it vigor.'

St. Syncletica

Finding Joy in the day, Day 342 (Year 5)

Getting my car back on time

'An ordinary action, performed through obedience and love of God, is more meritorious than extraordinary works done on your own authority.'

St. Louis de Blois

Finding Joy in the day, Day 341 (Year 5)

Getting safely home and not stuck in driveway

'One thing I have asked of the Lord; this will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. (Ps. xxvi. 4.) I will take the chalice of salvation, and will call upon the name of the Lord. (Ps. cxv. 4)'

St. Peter Balsam, singing during his tortures on the rack

Finding Joy in the day, Day 340 (Year 5)

Not as bad of snow as predicted

'It is God Himself who receives what we give in charity, and is it not an incomparable happiness to give Him what belongs to Him, and what we have received from His goodness alone?'

St. Vincent de Paul

Finding Joy in the day, Day 339 (Year 5)

Getting to ride with sister and brother in law to WI

'If you succeed in bringing a single soul to heaven, what charity! what a gain! what glory to God!'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 338 (Year 5)

Also getting a good deal on the mittens I wanted and having a gift card

'Know that if you wish to possess Jesus Christ and to dwell in His Sacred Heart, you must have no other desire and be content with Him alone.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 336 (Year 5)

Angles coming to push through the snow

'I would fain say much, but in order to speak of love, it is necessary to love; love alone can suggest its own language.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 337 (Year 5)

Getting the coat I've wanted for so long

'Be grateful to the person who nurses you; take whatever she offers you. In brief, act as a child in the arms of its mother. Remain in your bed as on the cross. Jesus prayed for three hours on the cross, and His was a truly crucified prayer, with no comfort from within or without.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 335 (Year 5)

Finishing another book

'He wishes your fidelity to be unswerving. Whatever it may cost you, you must persevere, for the Sacred Heart is averse to every sort of inconstancy -- and this is your greatest fault; but it is only you yourself who, with the grace of God, can remedy it by continually doing violence to self.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 334 (Year 5)

Seeing a friend after a long while

'Saint Ignatius does not insist that we be indifferent, but that we try to become indifferent. My heart is made for God and He is jealous. I want to be entirely His. I will become a saint if I am humble, docile and generous.'

St. Bernadette Soubirous

Finding Joy in the day, Day 333 (Year 5)

A great blessing in a good deal

'The most perfect and meritorious intention is that by which, in all our actions, we have in view only the good pleasure of God and the accomplishment of His holy will.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Finding Joy in the day, Day 332 (Year 5)

Finishing some audiobooks

'O my God, I do not ask you to keep me from suffering, but to be with me in affliction. Teach me to seek you as my only comforter; sustain my faith; strength my hope; purify my life. Grant me the grace to recognize your hand in the midst of suffering and to want no other comforter than you.'

St. Bernadette Soubirous

Finding Joy in the day, Day 331 (Year 5)

Starting a new book

'Humility is a fortified town; it repels all attacks. The sight of it obliges the enemy to turn and flee.'

Ven. Louis de Granada

Finding Joy in the day, Day 330 (Year 5)

Having my confession heard

'He whose health will not permit him to fast in honour of Christ and our Blessed Lady, will please them much more by giving some alms more than usual.'

St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 329 (Year 5)

Getting coffee with my sister

'This fair and pure Virgin-Mother renders all her servants chaste and pure.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Finding Joy in the day, Day 328 (Year 5)

Listening to a thought provoking talk

'Ah! who can realize the sadness of Mary when she returned to Bethany after the burial of her Son?'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 327 (Year 5)

2 days of babysitting

'Not everything which is better in itself is better for each man in particular.'

St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 326 (Year 5)

A safe drive on the dangerous roads

'. . . if we want to cast carnal desires from our hearts, we should at once plant spiritual pleasures in their place, so that our mind, always bound to them, might have the wherewithal to abide in them constantly and might spurn the allurements of present and temporal joys.'

St. John Cassian

Finding Joy in the day, Day 325 (Year 5)

No snow on the drive in the morning

'In recalling to mind the life and actions of the saints, walk in their footsteps as much as possible, and humble thyself if thou canst not attain to their perfection.'

St. Thomas Aquinas

Finding Joy in the day, Day 324 (Year 5)

A job potential

'When the soul lies resignedly in the hands of God, and is contented with the divine pleasure, it is in good hands, and has the best security that good will happen to it.'

St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 323 (Year 5)

Seeing fresh flowers

'We must not belong to God by halves; as God gives Himself entirely to the soul He loves, so does He desire to possess the soul's entire love.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 322 (Year 5)

Having a good chiropractor adjustment

'O most merciful heart of my Jesus, accept each of my tears, every cry of pain, as a plea for those who suffer, for those who weep, for those who forget you.'

St. Bernadette Soubirous

Finding Joy in the day, Day 321 (Year 5)

Having a safe trip on the icey roads to the store

'It is for this reason that I wish you to be diligent in the study of your own nothingness, that this nothingness may be absorbed, so to speak, in the immensity of God, Who is all.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 320 (Year 5)

What seemed like a good interview

'There could not be a surer sign of God's love for you than this pain which He has sent you. Adore the divine will.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 319 (Year 5)

Two shirts for $10

'O my soul, imitate Jesus faithfully: He is gentle and humble of heart. Those who are humble of heart will be glorified. How beautiful the heavenly crown will be for those who are genuinely humble despite outward humiliations, those who follow the humility of the Savior in every way.'

St. Bernadette Soubirous

Finding Joy in the day, Day 318 (Year 5)

A fun package

'I recommend to you not to lose sight of the Passion and death of Jesus, our life.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 317 (Year 5)

Having the opportunity to run errands

'The life of Christ was but a continuous cross.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 315 (Year 5)

Another day to babysit

'Choose the divine Heart for your sacred oratory, wherein to offer to God your petitions and prayers that may be pleasing to Him.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 316 (Year 5)

Temperatures rising

'We must love this Sacred Heart, with all our strength and with all our capacity. Yes, we must love Him, and He will establish His empire and will reign in spite of all His enemies and their opposition.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 314 (Year 5)

A good deal on soda

'. . . in tranquility of spirit rest lovingly in the wounded side of Jesus, and do not be anxious about your soul, but preserve interior calm by kissing that loving Wound and pressing to your heart so dear a Good.'

St. Gaspar del Bufalo

Finding Joy in the day, Day 313 (Year 5)

Getting a one time babysitting job

'This is the business of our life. By labor and prayer to advance in the grace of God, till we come to that height of perfection in which, with clean hearts, we may behold God.'

St. Augustine

Finding Joy in the day, Day 311 (Year 5)

Starting the day with Mass

'We should never abandon, on account of the difficulties we encounter, an enterprise undertaken with due reflection.'

St. Vincent de Paul

Finding Joy in the day, Day 312 (Year 5)

Having the garage when snow falls

'Grief is a portion of one's heritage taken in advance from Purgatory.'

St. Lydwine of Schiedam

Finding Joy in the day, Day 308 (Year 5)

Doing a little reading

'The best perfection is to do ordinary things in a perfect manner. Constant fidelity in little things is a great and heroic virtue.'

St. Bonaventure

Finding Joy in the day, Day 310 (Year 5)

Mall close by

'We should always look to God as in ourselves, no matter in what manner we meditate upon Him, so as to accustom ourselves to dwell in His divine presence. For when we behold Him within our souls, all our powers and faculties, and even our senses, are recollected within us. If we look at God apart from ourselves we are easily distracted by exterior objects.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 309 (Year 5)

Staying warm inside

'Never do anything in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inward peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. Commend all to God and then lie still and be at rest in His Heart.'

St. Francis de Sales

Finding Joy in the day, Day 307 (Year 5)

Going to a movie

'Consider often that it is only the humble of heart that can enter into the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, converse with Him, love Him and be loved by Him.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 306 (Year 5)

Seeing my mom

'Behold how you encounter in your father an image of the Eternal Father. For this reason we should honor and reverence the one through whom it so pleased God to give us life.'

St. Francis de Sales

Finding Joy in the day, Day 305 (Year 5)

Walking with my friend

'We must not serve God for the sake of His consolations, but because He is worthy of being served.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 304 (Year 5)

A restful day

'Lord, if thou knowest that I shall find, on leaving the house, even through obedience, an occasion of offending Thee, I conjure thee to take away my life here, where Thou art really present, for Thou soley art my life, and I prefer a thousand deaths to causing Thee the slightest displeasure.'

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez

Finding Joy in the day, Day 303 (Year 5)

A big fire

'Tribulations, if we bear them patiently for the love of God, appear bitter at first, but they grow sweet, when one gets accustomed to the taste.'

St. Philip Neri

Finding Joy in the day, Day 302 (Year 5)

Safe travels

'It is certain that the love of God does not consist in experiencing sweetness or tenderness of heart but in truly serving God in justice, strength and humility.'

St. Teresa of Jesus

Finding Joy in the day, Day 301 (Year 5)

Getting some work and tasks done this morning

'He has assured me that the pleasure He takes in being loved, known and honored by His creatures, is so great that, if I am not mistaken, He has promised me that all those who are devoted and consecrated to Him shall never perish.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 300 (Year 5)

Getting a little payment

'God, in permitting you to have this trial, wishes you to die mystically to all but Himself. He wishes you to consider yourself as dead; to have, as it were, neither tongue, nor eyes, nor ears. As you crush under your foot the crawling worm, so let yourself be trampled upon by everybody; let yourself be the despised and the outcast of the people, as if you were dead and buried.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 299 (Year 5)

Getting up on time

'We must speak to God as a friend speaks to his friend, servant to his master; now asking some favor, now acknowledging our faults, and communicating to Him all that concerns us, our thoughts, our fears, our projects, our desires, and in all things seeking His counsel.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Finding Joy in the day, Day 298 (Year 5)

Staying warm inside

'Patient self-control and long-suffering love dry up the pleasures of soul and body.'

St. Thalassios the Libyan

'In this temple of God, in this divine dwelling place, God alone rejoices with the soul in the deepest silence. There is no reason for the intellect to stir or seek anything, for the Lord who created it wishes to give it repose here.'

St. Teresa of Jesus

Finding Joy in the day, Day 297 (Year 5)

Getting out of the house

'Reveal yourself to the Lord in your mind. 'For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart' (1 Sam. 16:7).'

St. Mark the Ascetic

Finding Joy in the day, Day 296 (Year 5)

Getting some errands done

'A word suffices, sometimes, to dispose us to mental prayer. "Our Father, Who art in heaven" - pronounce those words, and then let the heart act.'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 295 (Year 5)

A walk with mom

'Our pilgrimage on earth cannot be exempt from trial. We progress by means of trial. No one knows himself except through trial, or receives a crown except after a victory, or strives except against an enemy or temptations.'

St. Augustine

Finding Joy in the day, Day 294 (Year 5)

Some time in the Chapel

'As it is love alone which procures in us the desire of conformity with our Sovereign Master, we can only attain to this conformity by loving Him supremely.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Finding Joy in the day, Day 293 (Year 5)

Getting a little settled

'The Passion of Christ is the door which opens into the delicious pastures of the soul. Our divine Saviour has said: "I am the door. By Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." (John x. 9.)'

St. Paul of the Cross

Finding Joy in the day, Day 292 (Year 5)

The fresh start of a new year, and fresh new white snow

'And so, dearly beloved, make firm your resolve, knowing that you cannot do anything greater for your spouse Christ Jesus than persevere and finish under the yoke which you have taken up through him, aware that the enemy sometimes makes the way seem too narrow or too long.'

St. Catherine of Bologna