Sister Faustina Kowalska: Her LIfe and MIssion

Helenka’s daily ascetic practices were also an impor­ t a n t tra i t for he r fu tu re religious life. She conscien­ tiously carried out those mortifications required by the Church, especially fasts , differentiating them well and often multiplying them excessively, which became limited in the community because of the duty of obedience. She liked to offer Je su s the little sacrifices of daily mortifications. They were "flowers laid a t His feet". Through the obedience she had practised and h e r mortifications, Helenka h ad thu s a tta ined the basic ability to control herself, which could be observed in her quiet equable behaviour bu t, which, however, did not inh ib it he r liveliness. She laughed aloud a good deal, sang, and when she was h u r t she wept loudly and pitifully. The la t te r happened rare ly , and only over m a tte rs th a t were vital to her. She was not tearful. Lively, active and very ta lka tive , she entered the convent as an embryo apostle by free choice and temperament. She liked to in s tru c t and knew how to do it, to draw others when the opportunity arose. Her inna te discretion kep t th is in the proper proportions and to suitable occasions. She was, in th is, ne ither intrusive nor did she th ru s t he rse lf on others, and perhaps therefore the more convincing. W ha t she said came from the fullness of h e r hea rt. 56