Pillars of Fire In My Soul

time in prayer with God, seeking out moments of solitude to keep God at the center of our lives and to keep us grounded in God’s gentle strength and enduring wisdom; a daily willingness to shine the light of truth on our personal shortcomings, trusting that God will help us to transform our lives; a daily willingness to reach out to our neighbors in compassion and respect, helping those in need, especially the poor. As we practice love of God in our daily lives, we follow St. Faustina more surely on the merciful way. The Road to Canonization The road to canonization for St. Faustina was the process of being created, redeemed, and brought by God to the heights of sanctity. She was created in mercy by God, the fruit of God’s love in response to her parents’ earnest prayer; a beloved daughter born to parents who longed for children; a precious child of God destined to walk the merciful way back home to God, leading scores of other pilgrims by the example of her life. Jesus, The Divine Mercy, our Redeemer and Brother, called constantly to Faustina, asking her to completely surrender her life and will to God. She was given the grace to hear His call, and the grace to respond with passion and dedication. She cen- tered her life in God, searching out anything that might block an intimate relationship with our Lord. With patience and great trust, she opened her heart to let God’s healing touch transform any attitude, thought, or behavior that might keep her from unity with Him Through her willing and constant practice of humility, purity, and love of God, St. Faustina grew in holiness, ever hopeful that God’s mercy would further perfect her in holiness as God is holy. St. Faustina’s life here among us was her road to canonization, and by her own example, she teaches us the deep faith of knowing not that Jesus can hear us, but that Jesus does hear us, however trivial our needs may seem. She teaches us to hand the burdens of our problems and misery over 156 Pillars of Fire in My Soul