Sister Faustina Kowalska: Her LIfe and MIssion

make them go away, she then came to the chapel to f i n d ‘Mother, who toCd me to go. ‘When I was s t i t t a good way from the gate, I could hear them hanging loudly. A t first, I was overcome w ith douht and fear, and I d id not know whether to open the ga te or, like. Sister Of., to answer them through the little zvindow. ‘But suddenly I heard a voice in my sou l saying, Qo and open the ga te and talk, to them as sw eetly as you talk, to Me. I opened the gate a t once and approached the most menacing o f them and hegan to speak, to them zvith such sweetness and calm that they d id not know what to do zvith themselves. A n d they too hegan to speak.gently and said. "‘Well, it's too had that the convent co,n't give us work ." A n d they went away peacefully. I f e l t clearly that Jesus, whom I had received in Jloly Communion ju s t an hour before, had worked in their hearts through me. Oh, how good it is to act under Qod's inspiration!" (Diary, Notebook V, para . 1377). 'When the same poor people come to the gate a second time, I treat them zvith greater gentleness, and / do not let them see that I know they have heen here before. I do this in order not to embarrass them. A n d then they speak, to me freely ahout their troubles and needs. Although Sister tells me that is not the way to deal zvith beggars, and slams the door in their faces, when she is not there, I treat them as my Master would. Some­ times more is given when gimng nothing, than when giving much in a rude manner." (Diary, Notebook IV, para. 1282). In such a manner, not losing sp iritua l contact with h e r Divine M aster, S ister F au s tin a tried to show mercy 449