THE MESSAGE OF MERCIFUL LOVE was received by Carmela Carabelli during a period which lasted some ten years, from 1968 to 1978. Carmela Carabelli was born in Melegnano on May 9, 1910, the feast day of Our Lady of Bosco, to whom her Mother was devoted. She died in the peace of Christ on November 25, 1978, the feast day of St Catherine Laboure. Since 1968 she received, almost daily, messages from Jesus, as the Merciful Jesus, and from the Blessed Virgin as the Mother of Divine Love. She transcribed all that was said, without hesitation or correction, immediately into notebooks. She wrote about her conversations with Jesus, who spoke about His Father, who is the Father of all men, and of His Mother, very tenderly; and lovingly of His foster father, St Joseph, and about many other saintly people. Through this privileged person, of Carmela Carabelli, all of these writings were provided to the entire World, who wished to seek and find God.

Extracted from a letter of Monsignor Pietro Santoro, Bishop of Termoli, addressed to "Fidelitas", Carouge-Geneve, January 9, 1972.

"... These writings are truly rich in faith and holy ardour for God's cause because God avails Himself of numerous circumstances to express his Will, but above all, He uses humble and silent souls. May this book do much good to a humanity greatly tormented and living far from God ..!"

("Nulla Osta" to the original Italian edition from Pietro Santoro Bishop of Termoli )

THE MERCY OF GOD

Wednesday ; May I5 ,I968 (0330)

My beloved child, listen to Me, do not forget My words but make them your daily bread and the nourishment of your spirit. I speak to you of My mercy. I will never tire speaking of It to you, for I am Mercy itself,

infinite Mercy. The "misereor super turbam" was not only for the time whilst I lived among men; but also now. I continue to repeat: "l have pity, I have mercy, I have compassion on these people." Then, it was a crowd who was tireless to follow Me, and insatiable to listen to My word which evoked My pity. Now, I have pity on a people which does not want to listen to Me, which does not want to believe in Me, which does not want to follow Me. You see the Churches deserted whilst My Ministers renew My real sacrifice, though bloodless. The teaching of My doctrine is suppressed and neglected. Common liturgical and private prayers are being shortened because it is boring to pray. Prayers are no longer said in families. The little ones are no longer taught the truths of faith which were so well taught by mothers. The joy of joining the hands of their little ones, of teaching them to pronounce My Name and that of My Mother, this they no longer do. Mothers are preoccupied with many other things! Even the best of them are proud when their little ones know how to read and write before their time, when they know the names of actors and the melodies of singers, and they forget to acquaint them with and to taste the sweetness of the divine music of their soul, the Presence of God within them, the song of their innocence and purity which must be safeguarded and presented to God. In this way children lose their innocence. You feel sorry when little children lose their mother; but the saddest day of their life is not the day when they become orphans, but when they lose God by their first mortal sin. And the young people who were the joy of My mortal life? What shall become of them? Preoccupied with following the world and its pleasures, they withdraw more and more from Me and live in vice and in the depths of incredulity. Everything is permissible to them! The purity which was their aureole is for them a residue of antiquity, a reminiscence and dose of dishonour. The ideal for which young people would have given their life no longer exists. It is egoism that prevails in all its forms, one's own "me", one's own personality, while authority is ignored and while one throws oneself into the mire.

And the adults? They compete with the young in their impudence, their unbelief, their neglect of their duties and love of pleasures. Everything is permissible: betrayals, infidelity, luxury ... and families break up, ruin themselves, and are unhappy. If God is taken away from families, He who is their bond, who can keep them united? That is why there is hate, discord, unbelief and disorder.

Even society, which is made up of families, shows the effects of this Situation, and it too is corrupted. There is no justice, no love of duty, no uprightness, everything that made men honest is outdated. Now each one must consider himself, his own interests, his own well- being, without

bothering himself with others. The thinking today is : What difference does it make if you have to crush the head of your fellow man in order to secure a higher position or get ahead monetarily or professionally? What does it matter if one must take away bread from the mouth of his brother? "The world belongs to the most powerful", if not in word, at least in practice, within which you have social struggles and all sorts of disorders, of all categories. Thus are born class hatreds, fratricidal wars and civil struggles. Nations struggle amongst themselves for futile motives which they themselves would not know how to define with precision; there are racial wars, as if I did not come into the world to save all races and all nations, for they are all My children. Faced with all these evils, which are a pale idea of the real evil reigning in this world, I again address My Father and say to Him: "Father, have pity on these people!" - "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!" My Mercy has no respite. I go about looking for good little children who love Me. I go about searching for youth, generous, ardent and pure, who follow Me. I go seeking good souls who amend: I am always ready to forgive, to forget, to love. My children, do you wish to belong to this number? Do you want to console My Heart filled with sadness? Do you want to weep with Me, suffer with Me, love with Me? Do not wait until the cup overflows! Beseech the Father to use again and always His Merciful Goodness and that He not Stretch out His Hand on the world except to save it. Pray to My Mother to present Herself once more before God to delight His Heart by Her wonderful beauty and goodness. Offer My Blood to the Father and the merits of the Saints so that He does not use Justice on a word so perverted and ungrateful. God is always ready to forgive on condition that you repent; He forgets everything. Repent, I entreat you, before it is too late! The day is coming when all men, united in one choir with the Angels and Saints, will sing the Mercy of the Lord in Eternity.

THE WORLD NEEDS YOUR LOVE

Monday. July 29, 1968

My beloved child, let us together cast a glance at the word. Does it not appear to you to be like an immense hospital? Sick in body, in mind, in heart, in soul. And you, how can you remain indifferent in the midst of so much evil, so much sorrow? Help Me, I beseech you, help those who suffer, do it through the power of prayer. Pick up the fallen ones, assist

those on the point of falling. Run to the aid of those in misery, those who weep, those who are about die. Do not abandon yourself to yourself. Don't you see that everyone needs you? Indifference is a fault, it is egoism. Not to care about what is happening around you makes you deserve no care from God. Enlarge your heart. Don't you see how much the world is in need of your love? Love is stronger than death because it outlives it. It is stronger than pain because it vanquishes it. Love consoles, repairs, converts, gives strength, and stimulates to do good, triumphs over evil. Sow love! Why do you go on proposing something that would do well? Just do it, do not reason about it. Love does not like reasoning. Reasoning can proceed from self interest. But love does not seek any interest; it seeks the good of everyone. Live in love. Be strong and generous through love. The word is vast, but love embraces all of it. Try to spread joy and love in the little circle that you occupy and then broaden your view. By the aid of prayer, go to all those in the world who are in need of comfort, joy, and love. Go to all the sick and ask God, who is Pure Love, for a spark of His Divine Mercy to love all the people of the earth. What is not possible for you is easy for God. You will see how much good will be diffused from the little Cenacle of your heart, from whence the Holy Spirit will spread the Sacred Fire of Love over the whole word.

SADNESS

Saturday, May II, I968 (0345)

My beloved child, do not be anxious about too many things. Accept life with serenity, for if you make of each little thing a big Cross, what will become of you when the Cross gets heavier. Do not let yourself be cast down by trifles. Be more serene. Strive to surpass yourself by summoning up your courage. How can you help and encourage others - for this is your mission in life - if you yourself are sad and dejected? Let peace and joy always reign in your heart, for they are the fruit of a conscience in peace with God and with one's neighbour. Love is to be in harmony with everyone, and be ready to sacrifice your thoughts and to respect the opinions of others, to put up with humiliations and wrong-doings. Overcome evil with good. Take no notice of it, forget quickly any offence, re-establish order, for thus the Lord acts, and He wants all of you to imitate Him. Generally, sadness does not come from God, but from the

Evil One. He uses it to turn you away from doing good and from prayer. But because of sadness, you lack the enthusiasm which makes you confront and overcome dangers, in view of achieving the most sublime ends.

Let your mind be serene. Clarify your thoughts, turn them towards noble things. Do not stop to consider the negative side of people with whom you live, or those you meet, but strive to discover all that is good in them. Everyone possesses some virtue. It will then be easier for you to love everyone.

If you must correct someone's faults, because you are in authority to do so, do it with goodness and with tact. Never let yourself be carried away by resentment, by anger or by a false zeal, for I assure you, you would derive no benefit neither for the others nor for yourself. He who harshly reprimands is in no way inclined to accept correction himself. Moreover, after unleashing your fury, sadness overwhelms you, you perceive you are not master of yourself and you get discouraged, thus blaming yourself for the wrong. Be more indulgent with others than you are with yourself. Did you ever notice how skilful you are in hiding your own faults? Well, do likewise with others. It is true that, very often, your faults are hidden from you while you easily see those of others, and this is natural; but if you keep an eye on yourself, you will discover more easily your weak points and shortcomings and thus be able to excuse those of others. Now and then you think yourself to be very good, but if you compare your goodness with God's and with that of some Saints who have lived your life, you see the distance that still remains for you to cover. You are not forbidden to weep; I also wept during My mortal life. I wept over the ruin of Jerusalem as now I weep over My Church, over its Ministers who betray their vocation too much and their mission. I wept over the death of Lazarus as I weep over so many sinners, deaf to My appeals and to My voice. I wept in the Garden of Olives on seeing the uselessness of My sufferings for so many souls, and I shed tears of blood, blood which poured forth from My whole body. You, too, may weep, but let your tears be blessed. Weep over your sins and over those of the whole world, and may your tears have the value of purification and washing. Unite them to Mine and to those of My Holy Mother, and may they be conducive in retaining the arm of Divine Justice. Weep, but let your tears be sorrowful and not despairing. May they serve to allay your suffering and not be the sign of rebellion against the Will of God.

Weep also for those who do not weep as they feel no regret for having offended God and for living their lives selfishly. Share the suffering of

others. Weep with those who weep. It is the best way of comforting souls crushed by the weight of the Cross. My sweet Mother who, at the foot of the Cross upon which I had been nailed, had not the comfort of tears, so that her pain, offered for the benefit of all men, was more intense, My sweet Mother often shows Her tears in diverse places. By Her tears, She wants to invite all men to repentance and reflection. Unfortunately, people are often loud in proclaiming the miracles and not so loud in proclaiming the message. It is all so superficial. If the Mother is weeping, it is the duty of the children to console Her and to find out the reason for Her pain. You, at least, My child, do this. Do this all of you, and the consolation you will give your Heavenly Mother will be repaid by Spiritual joy and by many graces.

PRODIGAL SONS

Sunday, May I2, I968

My loving child, hearken to the sorrowful cry reaching your ear, imploring solace and assistance. Do not be deaf to this entreaty but bring the desired help to those who implore you. I speak to you of those souls whose sin keeps them far from Me or of those who, having already reached their last dwelling place and not being completely purified, wail in this place of expiation while waiting to be able to enter the Kingdom of the Elect. If your charity must extend to all, certainly you must not forget either the first or the second, being certain that by this you are pleasing Me and accomplishing a duty whose reward shall be your salvation itself. You know what costly price I paid for the salvation of souls. Therefore, you can understand how much I love them and how much I desire to have them all close to Me, and all that you do to help me get closer to them or to lead them to Me is blessed work. Think of a mother who, having an absent son, who may perhaps be lost but wish to see him again, finds a person taking care of him and doing everything to make him go back. Imagine the joy of this meeting and the gratitude of this mother, and there you have only a pale reflection of the immense joy that you give to My Heart when, by your prayers, your love and your sacrifices, you lead My prodigal sons to eternal salvation. Do you recall the resurrection of Lazarus? Martha and Mary led Me to his tomb. He had been buried four days and already his body was giving off a strong odour. But because of the love I bore him, because of the prayers and tears of his two sisters,

My friends, I resurrected him. You, also do likewise. Take Me to the tomb of sinners, in the Spiritual sense. He who is in the state of sin is dead to grace; that is why he lies as if in a tomb. By means of your supplications, your love, you bring Me to sinners. Practice virtues that are contrary to their sins and you will force Me to perform the same miracle which restored life to My friend Lazarus. Remember the parable of the Good Shepherd who, overcoming obstacles, wearing himself out and with grazes on his hands and feet, goes in Search of the lost sheep; when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders and, filled with joy, he brings it back to the sheepfold. In just the same way I pursue souls who wander away from Me, and I do not rest until I clasp them to My heart. You understand how great will be My gratitude towards those who assist Me in this difficult and thankless work. If you love Me and if you understand My desires, and if you wish to correspond with them, you must help Me. Of course, it is I who save souls, and you will give Me a helping hand. You will pray for those who do not pray, you will love those who do not love; and along with your voluntary sacrifices, the acceptance of suffering, you will help Me to make Redemption produce the desired result for them. Furthermore, if you wish or if you have the occasion to exhort by word those living estranged from God, gladly do so, provided you do it always with great goodness and with great charity, respecting the other's liberty. But invoke Me before undertaking any apostolic work of this nature, so that it be I who speak in you and render your words effective. Not less pleasing to My Heart are the prayers and offerings for the benefit of the Souls in Purgatory. They endure bitter torments which they would not give up without seeing the work of their purification completed. And yet, very great is the desire and hope for Paradise in them; but infinitely greater is My desire of uniting them eternally with Me. It is in your power to hasten this meeting and to introduce these souls into glory. To pray to the souls in Purgatory and to have recourse to them in order to obtain their help on this earth is a mark of faith. And this is so pleasing to Me that I perform miracles through the intermediary of these souls who, although they cannot pray for themselves, are powerful in assisting those who turn to them. This double motive - their liberation and your good - must impel you to accomplish this act of charity so agreeable to My Heart. Do not regret to sacrifice yourself for souls estranged from God, no matter whatever the motive of their estrangement may be. You may even find yourself in need and the same measure will be used for you that you will have used for others.

THOSE WHO ARE FAR FROM GOD

Monday. May I3. I968 (0245)

My beloved child, cast your glance on those who are victims of error and unbelief and, for this reason, live separated from Me. Extend your charity even to them so that the light of the Holy Spirit may reach them and they may be able to cast aside their errors and find again the path of salvation. May the former (those in error) find the light of Truth; may the latter (the unbelievers) know the True God and Me, who was sent to save them all.

It is therefore a double category of people that I confide to your prayers. The first is comprised of those who have lost the faith, misled by false doctrines and erroneous philosophies, or who, more conveniently, declare themselves atheists in order to be able to commit, at their ease, all infamies. This category comprises also those who grew up in countries where the existence of God is systematically denied, because He is not seen; consequently, they are unbelievers without it being their fault . The second category comprises those who adore other divinities and not the true God. They live in superstition and error, because they do not know the Truth, through no fault of theirs. I desire to assist all of them and to usher them into My sheepfold, even if it is not said that all these souls damn themselves for those who live their religion in good faith, following the natural law that God has placed in the hearts of all men, these may be able to save themselves. But if it is difficult for you to follow My commandments and My precepts, you who are guided by My Church and find in Her the means to sanctify yourselves and to work out your salvation, how much more will it be for them! That is why, be filled with a holy zeal and with great fervour. Forget your little crosses, your personal interests, so as to make yours the interests of My Father. How much the Father desires that the world achieve a great unity - one heart and one mind in Him! The light of Truth must enlighten all men who lie in darkness. I am the Light because I am the Truth. Blessed are they who receive Me! Blessed are they who keep the gift of faith, because it is the beacon that shows the harbour, it is the anchor that brings salvation, it is the barque which gently sails on the agitated sea of life. If vice or negligence, wickedness or ignorance induce man to alienate himself from Me, you can understand that the harm done is wholly his. Rightly did Peter say: "Where shall we go, far from You? for only You have the words of eternal life." And indeed it is true. He who believes saves himself; he who believes in Me will not die but will live eternally. Strive to keep this faith always alive in you and pray for those who have lost it.

Pray to the Spirit of the Lord that He may pull down and remove the blindfold which covers their eyes so that they may see the Light. Help Me, to the best of your ability, to spread the Truth. For, even amongst those who call themselves Christians or especially practicing Christians - too many lack faith. They let themselves get discouraged by the first trial and quickly lose their confidence, their hope and their peace. Assist in all possible ways the Missionaries who leave for distant places to diffuse My Gospel. They give up their country, animated with a great zeal and with much goodwill, but they also take with them their heart and their nature; and very often, feel crushed under the weight of the Cross, and lack the courage to continue. They see again all they left behind, they hear again the dear voices of their parents and faraway friends. Perhaps sickness or a different climate, customs, lack of food and rest, bring a great sadness to their heart. I beseech you, help them with their sacrifices and your prayers. See to it that they do not feel alone. You celebrate when they leave and when they come back. Do not forget them while they are far away. They are My precursor angels of the Good News. They are the sowers of good seed in soil that is perhaps ungrateful and unyielding. Help them to soften the soil. Help them materially also. I repay a hundred fold the charity that you extend to these heroic and loving sons of Mine. Pray for those peoples so that they may become My messengers. Very often, Satan establishes his reign among them, and the struggle against him is exhausting, because he acts through lies and is cunning, performing amazing things. The Missionary must first fight against Satan before successfully implanting Truth, and the difficulties are enormous. However, nothing is impossible to God. Thanks to your prayer and your help, these souls are being reached. Once more, I entreat you to help Me. Be all Missionaries of Goodness! The children of darkness are more wily than the sons of light. Look with what ease evil is propagated. What a lot of sacrifices the wicked impose upon themselves to spread it! With the same fury with which they hurl themselves against God and diffuse hate, cast yourselves upon God, and with as much love, draw forth from Him all you will bestow upon your brothers and sisters, alienated from Him and wandering in darkness.

THE CROSS

Tuesday, May I4. I968 (0500)

My loving child, listen to Me. Never refuse the Cross, no matter whence it comes, because it is always I who send it to you or permit and desire that others put it on your shoulders. Has it not been said to you in the Gospel: "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him renounce himself, take up his Cross and follow Me?" Do you understand? It is the indispensable condition for following Me. It was also said to you that "My yoke is sweet and My burden light." And so it is, but the fact of feeling more or less the weight of the Cross depends on the way you carry it, on the love with which you love the Cross itself. If you drag your Cross with repugnance, it will always become more intolerable. If you embrace it with enthusiasm, thinking that I too, carried it for you, not only will it seem lighter, but the Cross will carry you so that by it, you will feel uplifted. And it will be so agreeable to you that you will not want to live but on the Cross and with the Cross. True science is not to know all human knowledge, to discover the atom or the laws that regulate the body of nature, but true science is that which, without disregarding all of these, provided they benefit humanity, goes back to Him who is superior in everything, and who also has dictated His laws, establishing fundamental principles, which are there to discover, to exploit, and to actualise in everyday life. If you take the trouble to follow My teachings, you will discover what role God has in your life, how much and why He wants your happiness. Form your character in the spirit of patience and sacrifice, so that you do not have to add one cross to another in everything that happens to you. It has been said to you: "To him who takes away your coat, give also your tunic. To him who slaps your left check, offer also the right one." By that I wanted to invite you to receive with joy, and not with patience only, the crosses offered you by your neighbours just as I Myself have endured and continue to endure the offences, insults, betrayals - in one word, the cross which, anew, you load on My shoulders. The world is strewn with crosses and if you were to destroy them, you would destroy the world itself. Each individual, each family, has its troubles. You must not be selfish or be parasites taking advantage of the goodness and the generosity of others. Each one must be aware of his own duty and assume the Charge which has been committed to him. But he who, generously and over and above his own duty, also helps others, is worthy of a greater reward. Mutual assistance lightens the Cross. Even I have been helped by the Cyrenean to carry Mine. However, you must not unburden yourselves of it so as to throw it on the shoulders of others, for the Cross that God gives you fits the shoulders of each one. Do not moan continually even about little things which time or treatment will suffer to resolve. Do not overload the Cross of your

neighbour. If in physical illness, it is permissible and right to have recourse to the doctor, for life is a gift that you must conserve. The fact of you pausing to observe, to listen, to detect each little suffering will make you insufferable and sometimes, ridiculous in the eyes of others. The exercise of charity is indispensable and is agreeable to the Father. It is important, however, that it be exercised on both sides, that is to say, that it be reciprocal. As for moral sufferings which, very often, are greater than physical ones, they can be due to character, to an overly touchy sensibility or to the fact of wanting to take on nonexistent responsibilities. Therefore, you must overcome yourselves and endeavour to remove what is imperfect and look at things with more serenity. With most of the Crosses, although permitted by Me, men create them for themselves, whereas, with a little bit of goodwill, they could be avoided. As for the Crosses which come from the fact of seeing yourself imperfect and weak whilst you would like to walk speedily on the path of virtue, follow this rule: desire to attain the highest summits of sanctity and humble yourself each time that you fall and each time you draw back. Humble yourself before God, acknowledging that you are good for nothing. Ask Him to help you to pick yourself up again and to continue on your way, without upsetting yourself. Be full of confidence in my Mercy, for this attitude is very pleasing to My heart. Nothing offends My Heart more than the fact of doubting My pardon and My help. Dejection is a sign of pride or, at least, of self-love. If you did not have any exaggerated self-esteem, you would not become discouraged and you would not be astonished at being weak; rather it should seem to you very strange that in spite of your wretchedness, you can keep standing up. Always ask the Lord to help you know yourself so that in the contempt of yourself and in the confidence in God, you can improve yourself and walk with assurance. The little child who fears dangers and knows that it is not able to face them, entrusts itself to the arms of its mother who defends it and carries it. You also, My children, entrust yourselves to Her whom I have given to you as Mother at the foot of the Cross. And if you abandon yourselves as sweet little children, She will clasp you to Her Heart and will even carry your crosses with you, until you no longer feel their weight.

MODERATION

Thursday, May I6, I968 (0430)

My beloved child, the lesson you are going to begin will teach you moderation in all natural needs which, however, you may not renounce, unless I want it. I speak to you of the virtue of moderation, so little known by the world and one which many neglect to practise, though it is a basic virtue of Christianity. Temperance is that virtue which makes you moderate in eating and drinking, as well as in all natural needs. When these are satisfied, they make human nature their slave, and no longer dependent on the spirit, as it should be. Many think that it is a small thing, or one of no importance, to be in control of oneself in the carrying out of the duties of eating, drinking, sleeping, relaxation, and amusement, but it is not so. I, Myself, acted to the contrary by imposing upon Myself a fast of forty days before commencing My apostolic life. John the Baptist had preceded Me preaching penance and charity to the desert where he had retired for forty days, living on herbs and locusts. As to how important it is to fast, you can conclude from the words that I said to you during My mortal life: "Certain demons are not driven out except by prayer and fasting." Mortification in food, united to prayer which calls upon God for help, has then the power of prevailing over evil spirits and driving them away. Many, alas, make feeding the body the first and absolute necessity, the most important necessity of life. In the preparation of meals and drinks, they consecrate a good part of the time which the Good God gives them, as precious money to transact for eternity. Some are preoccupied solely with worrying about arranging everything so that they may lack nothing in what their body demands. At this point, this preoccupation becomes the center of their lives and their thoughts. Have I not told you in the Gospel: "Why do you worry about what you will eat, what you will drink and how you will dress? Look at the birds of the air: they do not sow and they do not reap. And yet, your Father nourishes them. Look at the lilies of the field: they do not spin and yet, Solomon in all his wisdom was never attired as one of them." And I even added: "Seek first the Kingdom of God and all the rest will be given to you in addition." By these words, I did not mean to prohibit you from working, from earning your living and from acquiring for yourself a position. I only wanted to teach you to where each thing belongs and how to remember the reason for your existence. Certainly, this reason is not to preserve life but to spend it well in the knowledge of God, in the spreading of His Kingdom, and in the preoccupation of earning eternal life, which is the only important true life to attain. I wanted to teach you also how indispensable it is to abandon oneself into the arms of Divine Providence, even whilst applying one's intelligence and will to that abandonment which, for each man, is at one and the same time a chastisement and a Gift of labour. Chastisement is a consequence of the sin of your first parents, Adam and Eve. The Gift is a means of

sanctification, worthy of an eternal reward. The "god of the flesh", unfortunately, reigns in the world and gathers around itself worshippers of all kinds and from all classes. That is why My sweet Mother, in each of Her apparitions on earth, instills the thought and expresses the desire and the commandment of penance, in order to destroy this false divinity which impedes man in transferring his thoughts and his affections to God and incites him to make a god of his own body. Moderation is a cardinal virtue, a virtue of great importance in Christian life. I will tell you next that it is a virtue which will help to conserve your body longer, for it is health giving. He who does not abuse material things keeps himself stronger. The rule and its methodical practice create order which always brings with itself its benefits. To leave the table with a little bit of appetite left is advantageous to health, whilst it makes you master of yourself and enables you, by a little sacrifice, to elevate your thoughts to God who has given you the gift of food and drink. Everything is a gift in the world, from the wheat with which one prepares bread, to the grapes which give you the wine, from animal to cooked meat. Everything you eat has been given to you by the Father. Know how to use it gratefully and with moderation. Do not forget those partly or totally deprived of these gifts. Make presents of what you can with generosity to those in need and, above all, do not waste what God has given you. Remember! One wastes by greed and one wastes by throwing out the leftovers which could serve others. Let thrift and saving, practiced with regard to yourself, help you to be generous with your neighbor, even imposing upon you some sacrifices. "Charity goes out the window and comes in through the door," and it is true, for the Lord repays by multiplying for you what is done for others. But I will even say to you, that the sacrifice of depriving yourself of something in order to give it to someone who needs it, is a prolongation of the hand of God. You become for your neighbour "the Providence of God". Remember that temperance is only a partial practice of penitence which I sought so much to inculcate during My mortal life and of which I have given you the example. That is why I recall to you the warning: "If you do not do penance, you will all likewise perish," a valid warning for all men of all times.

JOY "True joy comes from God... "

Friday, May I7, I968 (0345)

My beloved child, I speak to you of joy which is the fruit of peace, of a good conscience, and which, for this reason, comes from God. Not all those whom you see happy and content, enjoy true peace and not all of them are truly happy. Very often, on the contrary, they conceal within their heart a profound bitterness and a great uneasiness which they mask with a smile and a false gaiety. True joy comes from God and is an inherent gift in tranquillity and in the certitude of having acted in conformity with God's Will. The Angels announced it to the shepherds on the night I was born, and they promised it to men of good will, for the latter is one of the conditions to take delight in joy and peace. Good will consists in following the divine law and its teachings by putting them into practice. Good will is the characteristic of simple souls, who do not dispute the commandments, but employ all their faculties in accomplishing them as best they can for the Glory of God. A profound and real joy ensues from prompt obedience and simplicity of intention in following My Commandments and My Invitations. If man only does this outwardly and does not live it, then this is a lie. True joy comes from within and stems from union with God, Supreme Good and Supreme Happiness. No pain, intense as it may be, can succeed in destroying it and no contrariety troubles it. It is not diminished in the soul by the fact that others think evil of it and calumniate it. The presence of God in the mind is like a rampart which defends this unalterable joy. It is as if the soul were already in the beatific vision and it remains immobile before God, as if in adoration, flooded with a light and an irresistible force which produces serenity and peace. When you have reached this degree of union with Me, you will not be affected by the most impetuous winds of evil blowing around you. The world will attempt to show you the uselessness of your life and your sacrifices. It will not matter to you that the Evil One flies into a rage against you to seduce you. You will remain plunged in contemplation of Me, pervaded with the joy of God and inundated with His tenderness and His infinite goodness. The closer that you come to God, the more you will feel the effect of His Presence and the more you will be inundated with grace and love, to the point of your being transformed into Him like the iron which, reddened in the fire, becomes one with it. There is, however, one virtue that brings much joy to the heart and that is humility. The more that you will feel little and as nothing before God, the more you will taste the joy of being His and of feeling protected and loved by Him. Your imperfections and failures themselves, will be for you a cause for Spiritual profit and an incitement to mistrust yourself and place all your hopes in God. Humility, that is to say, the low esteem of yourself, will attract the benevolence of your fellow men who willingly will listen to your words and to whom you will be able to do good. The satisfaction and merit of the good done you will

leave to God, who has accomplished it through your intermediary and in you, but He will leave you the joy and He will give you an eternal reward, even for the smallest action that you will have performed on behalf of your neighbour, with the desire of pleasing Me. Death too, towards which you travel daily, will not be a worry if you live your life as I have told you; but it will be the Sister who will open to you the gate of Heaven so that the true joy which you have begun to taste in your heart already in this life will be complete and lasting. Ask Me each day for joy, because it is indispensable to the Christian. If the first Christians had gone to their martyrdom in tears, their death would not have aroused so much admiration and it would not have been an attraction and a seed of other martyrs; but they went to meet death smiling and joyful. That is why, those who saw them asked who was this Jesus, in the name of whom these martyrs gave their life with so much serenity. They then wanted to know Me, to know the True God. Even today, and for everyone, joy is something that diffuses itself, that communicates itself, propagates itself. Joy and serenity edify. A Christian should always bc a messenger of joy. If all practising Christians felt and showed joy in being in My service, their example would be imitated by many. Do your best early in the morning to supply yourself with an abundant provision of good humour; it is the consequence of internal joy. Try to maintain it and do not become upset by trifles. Participate willingly in those family amusements which aid the maintaining of harmony and serenity. Become a centre for the diffusion of joy so that your Company is agreeable, and let it be understood that what you give comes from God who dwells within you. The peace which men desire in the world begins here: in the peace of an upright conscience, in the peace of families well ordered and united, from whence peace among nations is the consequence.

THE PROPHETS AND TUE CONSECRATED

Saturday, May I8, I968 (0I00)

My beloved child, observe all that is happening in the world and tell Me if the goodness and patience of God can be exercised still more.

If you could see, for one instant only, with God's eye, the world and all the evil that is being committed, you would die of fright. Homicides, suicides, thefts, adulteries, blasphemies, rebellions, treasons of all kinds prevail. They are such an accumulation of so much evil that the good seems to have disappeared.

If there were at least some good souls, religious, consecrated, desirous of virtue, of perfection and reparation, I could console Myself near them. But they are so very rare, and even these are so inconstant and imperfect I go about, choosing from time to time some privileged soul, and I give it abundant graces and particular gifts so that it can use them for the salvation of a great number. But these souls are nearly always mocked and calumniated. If they do not let themselves be overcome by discouragement, it is because I grant them the gift of an extraordinary faith and assistance. Because of the opposition these souls encounter, however, the apostolic action that they should carry out becomes very limited. These are My prophets. But just as in the Old Testament they were persecuted and even slain, so too now they are slain again, if not physically at least in their moral life, their honour; and, as before, they are persecuted. It could be understood if they were attacked by the wicked. No, it is their own brothers in the faith who injure their brothers and sisters and, putting in doubt My work and their mission, become their persecutors and insulators. My heart remains profoundly saddened at those who do not acknowledge the almighty power, wisdom and mercy of God, a God who can dispose at His pleasure events and facts.

PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS

It is true that in this period of life of the world, I permitted the demons to unleash their fury, especially against religious and consecrated persons, putting their virtue to a hard test. I did this precisely because I would like from them a greater perfection. But if they were better trained to fight against the demon through the exercise of meditation, of prayer and by the assiduous care of their interior life, even he would be vanquished and subjugated. Well, by living a mediocre life and one lacking in fervour, how could these souls teach others and stimulate them to be good? My children, pray for My consecrated ones. For if you all need help, they have a still more urgent need of it, especially My Ministers whom I have chosen to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Do not fear to sacrifice yourselves too much for them, for the dangers that surround them are very numerous. Be near them to help them. Do not make them lose precious time which they should employ for the good of souls. Do not be for them an occasion of evil. Listen to their teachings so that they will feel encouraged to go up and to do always more, always better. Doubts against faith that torment your mind, trouble theirs also. Wearing a religious habit does not exclude them from human weaknesses. Let your

fidelity and the conduct of your life be the most beautiful manifestation of gratitude that you give to them for the work they perform in your favor. Even though a Priest may not be equal to the state of his ministry, his hands give you Jesus and permit Me to unite Myself to you. His words perform miracles, transforming water, wine and bread into My Body and into My Blood. He absolves you, he blesses you, listens to you, counsels you, and accompanies you in the different stages of life. You have serious obligations towards him, towards all My Ministers. Do not be ungrateful. Gratitude is a duty that I also demanded when I accomplished good works on behalf of My people in Palestine. Do not forget these beloved sons whom I call to a great perfection. In the ardor of their youth, conscious of what they were leaving behind and of the cross they were bearing on their shoulders, they generously gave Me the gift of their life on behalf of My children. Constancy requires heroism. Do not be astonished to see them fall. Help and assist them. Do not calumniate them, and do not murmur against them, for the word in My Gospel always remains: "He who despises you, despises Me." They are very precious to Me. Never forget it.

DETACHMENT FROM CREATURES

Sunday, May I9, I968

My beloved child, have faith and confidence and leave Me to act. Do not fear anything. No one is indispensable to you, except God who loves you infinitely. Disappointments and offenses on the part of dear ones are necessary, I would say indispensable, so that you can better understand the goodness of God and His fidelity, and address to Him all your affections.

The inconsistency of the human heart is great and he who trusts man inevitably perishes with him.

That is why you must elevate your thoughts and your affections to God, your Creator and your Father, and entrust yourself to Him in all your needs. He will guide your Steps and accomplish His Will in you if you abandon yourself to Him. Only this is necessary.

Twofold is his Will: your sanctification here on earth, and eternal happiness in Heaven.

He sanctifies you with the cooperation of your will, by giving you the necessary means. He enlightens your mind with particular light. He gives you the Sacraments and love of prayer. He surrounds you with people desirous to do well and to help, and who are a stimulant for you to walk in the way of God.

He strews your path with crosses, contradictions, disappointments, physical sufferings, misunderstandings, calamities, and derision. In summary, He gives you the daily bread of sorrow, alternated with a few satisfactions, and a few passing joys.

In all that, He is beside you to teach you, to encourage you, to guide you to Him, towards Heaven, by making you grow in perfection and achieve the degree of glory that He wishes you to have.

You see well, My child, what must be your goal and how the support of persons is very secondary. Actually, it is I who accomplishes it in you, and even if I use My Ministers, who may be more or less enlightened, or if I use other factors, you must keep present in your mind that they are all in My service.

Love all indiscriminately, the good and the bad, the faithful and the ungrateful. Love them in Me and with Me, in order to be able to do them good, but keep your heart free, for I am a jealous God of this heart.

Do not attach yourself to any creature, as the more you approach them the more you discover their defects. Many times, human wickedness is so great that it would cause you incurable wounds. Detach yourselves from creatures through love so that I may not detach you by force.

Accept and offer up the sufferings that others give you and do not wish to make anyone suffer. And if necessity obliges you to correct those about you, do it with such goodness and much love, asking Me continually for help.

Receive with gratitude reprimands and counsels as if they come from Me. You will thus enjoy much peace and serenity, for many of your crosses are such because your self-love rebels before humiliation.

FRIENDSHIP

Monday, May 20, I968 (0I00)

My child, listen to Me.

Do not be sad when you see yourself abandoned by creatures and rejected by them. Confide constantly in God, for He alone is faithful. He will never abandon you.

Even if you commit wickedness, He will never, never, abandon you. On the contrary, He will continuously seek you out, calling you by the most sweetest names and showing you His Heart, desirous only of your response.

The people of this world love you if you are joyous, and if you are surrounded by honor. But if you are in pain, if you are ridiculed or calumniated, they abandon you because they do not wish to get involved and become the subject of gossip.

Only those whose hearts are modeled after My Heart will be faithful to you and overcome the fear of derision, and they will not join all the others. But faithful friends will be very few in number. It was rightly said to you that he who finds a friend, finds a treasure, for true friendship is like a precious pearl and precious pearls are not easily found.

Therefore, be very careful in not giving the name of a friend to everyone. Above all, do not give your heart to all, for you will be bitterly disappointed.

Remember that true friendship is based upon sincerity. It is not the one who continually praises you that truly loves you, but the one who makes known to you even your defects. Even though this is painful and disagreeable to him, he continues to do this because he is desirous of your perfection.

The true friend is ready to sacrifice himself for the person he loves, for sacrifice is the best proof of love, even though his sacrifice will not be rewarded and may be misunderstood. That is why true friendship can be a great Spiritual help. From a true friend you may ask for advice and you can be sure that it will aim only toward making you better.

While all this is hard to find in creatures, you will find it in Me, for I am constant in love and I could not be otherwise.

I love you, My children, as the most tender of friends, as the most affectionate of fathers, as the best of brothers. Remember, however, that love should make you similar to the one loved, and I desire that you become similar to Me.

Yes, invoke Me also under this name "friend", that is so dear to My Heart. Call Me "Jesus, my friend" and I shall be happy to come near you to fulfil the role of a true Friend.

I also had My friends when I lived in the world, and I loved them with a very tender love: Lazarus, whom I resurrected after having wept at his tomb; Mary, My great convert, and Martha, the very capable housekeeper. I often used to go to their place for a rest, I was so well received there, just like home.

After her conversion, Mary became a most loving soul. Thirsty for My doctrine and for My words, she spent her time kneeling at My feet, gazing at Me, weeping for her sins and loving Me.

There were many others whom I called friends, and who were not. I called Judas a friend, and with this sweet name I would have liked to bring him back to repentance and to God. But he did not wish to understand Me, and despaired.

And many, many other friends, whom I called by this name, abandoned Me in the most terrible moment of My life.

Now again, I call many around Me friends. I call them by the most sweetest names, even if the one with whom I share My friendship is tested by the Cross. I told you that love makes one similar to the one loved. To My friends, I give the Cross, a more or less heavy one according to the generosity of their heart.

That is why, though I call many, My friends are reduced to a few. Faced with suffering, they withdraw. They want no part of it, they rebel.

My sweetest friend who shared My joys and sorrows was My dear Mother. Oh! How well She understood My heart! How She guessed My desires and anticipated them! How She consoled Me in My pains and

bitterness! Her smile and Her words went straight to the depths of My Heart as a salutary balm.

I told you at other times that as God, I had no need of anything, but as man, yes. I wanted to give the example in everything, and I wished to submit Myself to all human necessities, even to the one of being comforted by a friendly soul.

Consider My Mother also as your friend and confidant. She will be your Teacher. She will be your comfort. She will never betray you, you can be sure of that, as Her Heart is a perfect copy of Mine.

Pray to Her to mold your heart also on this Divine Model so that you yourself can also be a guide and a help to souls whom you will call friends.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

Tuesday. May 2I, I968 (0245)

My beloved child, now I speak to you on a very important subject. I speak to you of the Holy Spirit, One of the Three Divine Persons. The Holy Spirit is the Father's Spirit and Mine. He proceeds from the love which unites the Father to Me. He is substantial Love. 'He is Pure Love. The Love which unites Us, that is to say, which unites the Father with the Son, is so great as to constitute a third eternal Person Who is wise, immense, infinite, in everything equal to the other two Persons. It was the Holy Spirit who, over the world, breathed life into creation and, inseparably from the other two Persons, accomplished every Operation concerning the world and man. The Holy Spirit overshadowed the Virgin Mary, His Divine Spouse, and made Her Mother of the Savior. He hovered above My Head the day John the Baptist baptised me. I spoke of Him in My preaching so that He would be ardently desired and awaited. I promised that, as soon as I had ascended to the Father, I would send upon the Apostles, the Holy Spirit, who would transform them. Indeed, the Apostles spent nine days with Mary, My Mother, secluded in the Cenacle, in prayer and full of fervour and hope, until a very violent wind announced to them His coming. The Holy Spirit appeared in the form of an immense globe of fire which subdivided itself into flames, and these

went and rested over the head of each one. Then the transformation took place which made the twelve inept and cowardly fishermen true heralds of the Faith. Their intellect was enlightened; their hearts burned with love and their zeal was so great that, leaving the Cenacle, they took to preaching as if they were men of science. Peter spoke, converted and baptised close to five thousand persons, won over by the power of his word. Even Mary, My Mother, was confirmed in the Truth which I Myself had taught Her, in order to be capable of guiding and instructing the new born Church. In this way, the fire of the Holy Spirit, which enlightens and enkindles, began to dwell in souls as a Sweet Guest and to act as the Soul of the Church. It is He who directs the Church by enlightening its Head (the Pope) and rendering him infallible in the government of It. It is the Holy Spirit who keeps the Church always living, always young. It is He who raises up new apostles, assists them and prepares them, filling them with ardour for the life of the apostolate. The presence of the Holy Spirit gives rise to great acts of the Church, such as the Councils and Encyclicals which are like letters He writes to His children and to His faithful. It is the Holy Spirit who, received in the Sacraments and particularly in Holy Communion, gives to souls the desire for holiness and perfection. He works untiringly in souls. He raises them up after falls. He heals the wounds of sin. He bends wills by stimulating them towards good. He enkindles cold hearts to love God and neighbor, and He redresses what is not just. He dwells in all souls that are in a state of grace and acts constantly and untiringly. He speaks to us in the form of inspirations. He dissipates doubts, clarifies ideas, enlightens intellects and continually accomplishes the miracle which formerly transformed the ignorant Apostles into learned orators. That is why you see persons who can barely hold a pen or, not knowing any other pen than the hoe, dictate to men laws full of wisdom, words which enlighten more or as much as those of a theologian. It is the Holy Spirit who acts. It is He who transforms these inapt instruments and makes of them prophets and pioneers of Faith. Formerly, in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit spoke through the Prophets. Now He speaks continuously. He speaks through the mouth of the Pope, the successor of Peter and My Vicar. He speaks through the intermediary of My Ministers and their word is listened to, because the doctrine they teach is not theirs but Mine. He speaks to the mind and to the heart of everyone who invokes Him. If a soul calls upon Him with love, with desire and with insistence, then He comes to this soul and makes it holy. My children, put yourselves in the disposition of receiving the Holy Spirit. Place yourselves before Him like one who exposes himself to the sun in order to be warmed and enlightened. Let Him act and you obey Him. Listen to Him. He speaks in silence. He speaks with love. Do not dissipate your souls in trivial and useless things.

Do not forget that the Lord wants you holy. To become that, you must correspond to the grace of the Holy Spirit. He fills the soul with His Seven Gifts, and also fills those who desire Him on the day of their Confirmation. He renews continually. He gives you Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Knowledge, and Fear of the Lord. He will inspire you with the desire of accomplishing works of Mercy. He will be the soul of your apostolate, so that you won't be able to keep for yourself the gifts that God is giving you, but you will want to communicate and give them to everyone. You will want to spread faith, love, and goodness. You will feel in your heart an irresistible force which will incline you to do good for the glory of God and for the benefit of your brothers and sisters. Consecrate yourself to the Holy Spirit, put yourself in His service and at His disposal. You are the Living Church and as such, you must live your Baptism and your Confirmation. Diffuse your Faith, with human respect, without fear, though with graciousness and amiability. Remember that, if you are not an apostle, you run the risk of being an apostate, for if you do not feel the duty of giving what you also received gratuitously, you run the risk of losing even what you possess. Look at the example of the Saints who, cooperating with the grace of the Holy Spirit, spent their lives leaving an indelible mark of themselves of goodness. You also need to work on fighting the evil in you and around you. Do good wherever you are and wherever you go. To those who wanted to close the mouths of the Apostles, it was answered: "If you shut their mouth, their works will speak." Let it be the same for you also. Let your works speak and let those who see them give glory to God who has accomplished them in you.

FINAL IMPENITENCE Wednesday, May 22. I968 (0I40)

My beloved child, the lesson that I am going to dictate to you will be much more important than you think; it will even have a decisive importance in your life. I will speak to you of that final impenitence.

It is very important that you are able to arrive at the end of your life with a mind filled with serenity towards everyone, but it is still more important that you have peace with God, of which peace with your neighbour is the consequence.

Should one even find himself in the state of mortal sin, it is important to have the soul disposed to a change of mind, to repent and turn to one's Creator, asking Him for pardon.

This would appear to be such an easy thing, especially just before death and before judgement which, immediately after death, awaits the soul. Instead, it is not like that. You say: "He who lives well, dies well," and that is true: but it is also true that he who habitually and voluntarily lives in sin does not accept to change his life at the last moment but prefers and chooses to remain in sin and to continue to hate God during all eternity.

Certainly, the impenitent does not suspect to find what he will find because he is accustomed to seeing things as they happen in the world, where God, while giving some little idea of His Justice, uses exclusively His Mercy and Goodness; but when the impenitent finds himself before God the Judge and it is too late to repent, he will discover the enormity of his culpable ignorance and malice which will have conducted him to such a desolate and horrible end. I desire that the sinner be converted and live. I am patient and I knock and I wait, trying out all sort of means to the very last day. All paths are good and I go about sowing graces; I make use of everything. At times I grant material goods, at times I take them away. I give health and take it away. I give Spiritual graces of all kinds. I leave nothing untried because the health of souls is what interests Me most, I who created and redeemed them at such a dear price. If the soul refuses My help, if it refuses to repent, it will fall into the abyss at the moment of death. Then, at last, its eyes will be opened; it will see the punishment prepared for it. It will not have the possibility to change, to repent; but will have to remain, during all eternity, in the tragic Situation of those who hate God. How necessary it is, My child, to reflect on these things while you are still alive and to repair quickly any fault as soon as you perceive that you have fallen into it!

The Lord knows your weakness and He knows that man sins very easily. If, after the sin, man turns to God with a repentant heart, he obtains par- don, which God gives easily as soon as He sees a minimum of goodwill and the desire to pick oneself up. But obstinacy in fault and the fact of not wanting to repent puts the Lord in the condition of not wanting to pardon.

In each instance the co-operation of the human will is always necessary for God to act, because He never forces the freedom of man.

The trial must be freely overcome, it must not be an imposition. Be ready, My children, to admit your errors and do this also amongst yourselves so that it may be easier for you to humiliate yourselves before God Himself. Mutually ask for pardon because you all have the possibility of making mistakes and sinning. If your spirit is humble and inclined to peace towards your neighbour, it will not support hate towards God before whom it will easily humiliate itself. It was said to you: "Do not let the sun go down upon your anger", and now I say to you: "Do not fall asleep with sin upon your soul and, therefore, in anger with God." Seek at once to repair this. Repent, ask pardon, because you do not know if, during the night, death will come as a thief. Be vigilant, for you do not know the hour nor the day when the Groom will come. Have recourse to God after each fall; however small it be, it is always grave if one thinks of the dignity of the person offended. Always ask the Lord for sufficient light to know your fault s and humility to detest them. Pray also for obstinate sinners who, rebellious, impervious and ungrateful to God, persist in a life of sin, which will surely conduct them to ruin. "Where there is life, there is hope". This is a popular saying, and this is truly so. That is why, I beg you, never forget those who, having reached the end of their existence, and are still in sin.

Pray for the dying. A thread separates them from eternity. A prayer offered with all your heart, a sacrifice made with love on their behalf, may obtain providential aid, the necessary light for them to understand their Situation and be converted. It has been said to you that "he who saves a soul has saved his own". My children, give Me souls, I am thirsty for souls! Do not make life onerous if you can use it for this purpose, I came into the world to save what was lost. If you assist Me in this work your reward will be great.

You cannot and must not remain indifferent to souls losing themselves. Each one carries a little bit of responsibility for his brother who is heading to his ruin. "What have you done with your brother?" God asked Cain. He will ask the same of each of you because each one is charged with saving his neighbour. "What have you done with your children?" He will ask the mother and father "and each with their spouse?" "What have you done with the Priests whom I have given to you?" Have you suffered and worked with them to save souls? Have you prayed for their sanctification, so that it does not happen that after having preached to others, they themselves are lost? And with all those people that I have placed beside you, what have you done? Have you edified them by good counsel? Have you given them a few good words and, above all, have

you let them feel the ardour of your charity, of your affection, in order to win them to God, to Me?

Have you truly prayed with all your heart for everyone, or are you hermetically shut-in within yourselves, limiting your supplications to such personal and material trivialities before which it is ever pointless to linger? My children, broaden your views and your hearts. Love, love everyone. How many problems resolve themselves with ease, even though they appear insoluble. Never forget that what counts the most is to save the soul, but you will save yours with difficulty if you do not also have at heart the salvation of others.

ASCENSION Thursday, May 23,I968 I am going to speak to you of My Ascension into Heaven. Forty days after My Resurrection, after having confirmed in the Faith My Apostles and My disciples, after having instituted the Sacrament of Confession and given to the Church a head in the person of Peter, assuring him of My assistance and confiding in him the custody of this Church represented by sheep and lambs - a Figure of Speech I generally use to designate souls, being Myself the Good Shepherd - in the presence of more than five hundred people, I ascended into Heaven. All who remained turned towards Me and awaited My return, even though, very often, I had affirmed that I would be going up to the Father to prepare a place for everyone and that I would be coming back at the end of the world, as Supreme Judge, to judge the good and the bad. I ascended to Heaven because the Father had to glorify Me. Indeed, I only sought His Glory. And you, too, will be glorified by God, if, in all your works, you always seek His Glory.

LIFE IS A PILGRIMAGE

That is why you must always purify your intentions. What you do through human motives is entirely lost. It is like a letter which lacks an address; it cannot arrive at its destination. You will be able to receive a human reward, which isn't much, but if you want your works to have a resonance in Heaven, you must give them the right Intention, you must work for Heaven. Keep your thoughts fixed on the goal. Do not be side tracked, do not miss your goal. If you fall, pick yourself up, ask for help

and continue. Life is a pilgrimage. It seems long if you suffer, but it is brief if you compare it to eternity. How many persons have you known and grown up with that have already left you? How many, even younger than you, have preceded you? Now it is your turn. I have hidden the hour and the day from you because the thought of leaving everything and everyone would sadden you. Perhaps you would give up hope. But you do not know if you will reach the end of the year which you have begun, the current month or the day that you are finishing. This incertitude must not trouble you, nor leave you indifferent. Just as you worry about your interests, so too you may not forget these things which are the chief concern of your life, since they concern eternity. Live being good, live day by day, live for the Lord and, at any moment, be ready for His summons. Many say that, when one is dead, everything is finished: a coffin, a grave, a handful of earth; but does it seem to you that it can be like that?

I AM THERE IN YOU

Should goodness, justice, charity, suffering not be rewarded? Should evil, wrongdoing, ingratitude, dishonesty not be punished? All, all will be sifted and souls and bodies will participate in the reward or in the eternal punishment. Even bodies, that is certain, one day will arise just as I arose Myself, and will be reunited to the soul to which they were united in the accomplishment of good and evil, in order to be glorified or condemned. Courage, then, My child! Do not fear anything. You have beside you an Angel who guides you. You have a Mother who constantly assists you. I am there in you and with you. Courage! Climb with Me the holy mount of Christian perfection. It is so beautiful to live with the Lord, to have confidence in Him, to abandon oneself within His arms, to listen to His Voice. It is beautiful also to remain on His Cross, for if you suffer with Him, you no longer feel the suffering. To suffer is a joy. Walk towards Heaven and take with you the world, that of the suffering, of the sinners, of the consecrated ones. Walk with them, help them, do not complain, diffuse joy, love, peace. I am with you now and will be forever.

THE WHY OF PAIN Thursday, May 23, I968 (0300)

My beloved child, listen to Me and pay attention to all that I say to you. I speak to you of the necessity of suffering. Mankind asks why do we have to suffer, and it puts all its attention and all its care into avoiding suffering. Now I ask you: is it necessary to suffer? And I reply to you Myself. Suffering entered into the World with sin and as long as it lasts, expiation is necessary. Without suffering, there is no remission of sin. Every offence supposes a victim that pays. I was the first Victim and I paid for everyone; but My sacrifice does not apply to souls unless they adhere to it by their own suffering. That is why no one can be exempt. From birth to death, from the first tears that the baby sheds in emitting its first cry announcing life, to the last ones that run down the face of him who gives his last goodbye to life, life is but a succession of small and big sufferings which transform existence into a Calvary. Now, I am going to teach you to make these sacrifices, these tears, these Crosses, not only acceptable but dear to your heart and to Mine. Remember, however, that if the grain of wheat does not rot in the earth, it does not produce the ear. Each one of you is My grain of wheat that makes up the Host, the Victim, the Mystical Body. That is why each one of you must ripen after saving decomposed in suffering. It is not only a mystical law that I am telling to you about, but it is also a natural law. Without sacrifice, you achieve nothing. Observe in the world how many sacrifices there are in achieving great discoveries: how much sweat, how many sleepless nights, how much labour, how many human victims! Every enterprise requires its share of suffering. You say: "Nothing is won with nothing." And that is truly so. If, then, in all human activities, there exists the law of pain as the means of accomplishing little and great things, all the more reason why this law must enter into the things of God. It cannot be otherwise, for if the Father Himself, in His infinite Goodness and Wisdom, wished Me, His Son, to submit to this law, it is because there is no better law, no other means more efficacious, no other way more direct than that of suffering. In the beginning this had not been the desire of the Father in creating man who was destined for joy, for happiness and the glory of Paradise. From the very beginning of this earth, living in communion with God, man, king of creation, was destined to enjoy an anticipated paradise. The act of rebellion with which your first parents stained themselves broke the filial relations existing between man and God, and suffering was the logical consequence. But, though living in abjection and in tears, man would not have been able to lift his eyes to God and ask for pity. His cry would not have reached as far as Heaven if l, by clothing Myself with human nature and making Myself one of you, had not, as Victim, asked the Father for pardon for all humanity. Only after My Sacrifice, and only if your sacrifices are united to Mine, do they have a redemptive and purifying value. Here I wish to draw your attention to

how many useless sacrifices there are in the world, sufferings which will not be remunerated, which will have no reward. Those are the sufferings which many souls are subjected to or even endure while living in mortal sin. I will explain: if you want to light up a room, you turn on the switch. Well then, grace is the switch which permits the light of God to enter into you. Illuminated by this light, which is divine Life, everything assumes a particular importance and all little things, even one tear, can be used for the good of all. For him who lives in the state of mortal sin, everything is pitch black, everything is wasted, tears, pain, suffering and, what is more, despair, revolt , discontent enter into his heart because he lacks God's help, when it is not faith that is at fault . If you want to have strength to endure life as it is, obtain it from the Heart of God, who knows how to transform pain into joy. Only in this way can you make a gift of suffering to your brothers and sisters, and you assist them to pay, and allay the sufferings of others, as I have done, and as many Saints have done in the Church. By means of grace and suffering, each Christian is able to present himself to the Father and say to Him: "l am your Son, I am Jesus," and the Father, through His intermediary, bestows blessings on humanity.

MOTHERS CAN HELP THEIR CHILDRENYou, a mother, feel in your heart an ardent desire to help your children. You would like them to be good, holy or at least honest, in good health. Well then, you have a coin with which to pay for all that: your suffering. You complain, perhaps, because you have no health and you cannot on account of this fulfil your duties towards them. Do not complain. If you after your sufferings to God with Me, God Himself takes your place, and even if you do not see right away the fruits, you will see that He will guide your children better than you would have been able to do yourself while in the best of health. If you complain, if you cry, if you despair, they will endure it all badly. The exercise of charity is already difficult with the sick and you will not be able to do them good; you will only be a weight for them. Have you some loved ones sick in the family? If you approach them with goodness, with serenity, with patience, they will not feel their illness so much and the Cross will be less heavy for everyone. Use the Cross as a means of salvation. Love the Cross because on it you will find Me. Suffering is the means by which you are able to prove your love: it is the language of love. He who loves Me has no other choice to make than to follow Me on the sorrowful way by carrying his share of the Cross. Accept with joy to follow Me. On this road you will also find a Mother, the holiest of all creatures, the most sorrowful of all mothers.

Entrust yourself to Her and even as She consoled Me, She will also assist you to reach the summit ... and then, after the sufferings, glory and infinite joy which will never end.

PURGATORY

Saturday, May 25, I968 (0I00)

My beloved child, the lesson that I will give you will deal with a theme that everyone thinks is of little importance but one which, in reality, is very important. I speak to you of Purgatory, that is to say of the place where souls of the deceased go in order to complete their purification before going to Heaven where no one enters unless he is pure. Do you remember the parable I narrated to you in the Gospel, of the invited guest who was found without the nuptial garment? Well, then, no one enters Paradise without the whiteness of the robe which you usually represent by the little white garment that the priest places on the body of the new born, the day of its Baptism. Since it is with much difficulty that souls come to die in their baptismal innocence, it is necessary that they reacquire it in this place of purification. An act of perfect contrition would suffice to give back this splendour to the soul by which, after death, it could immediately fly to the embrace of its God, but it is so difficult to have a perfect contrition so profound, and generally, therefore, all must pass through Purgatory. You will ask Me: "What is Purgatory?" It is very difficult to be able to explain it to you. You would need to understand what God is for a soul in order to grasp what the pain of the privation of Him involves, even though it is temporary. Think that God is essential to the soul as air is indispensable to your lungs. You know that certain illnesses give to a person affected by them a sense of suffocation - asthma, for instance. Well then, this can give you an idea, a pale idea, of one of the torments which, in Purgatory, constitutes the greatest anxiety. As long as you are wrapped up in this envelope, which you call the body, the soul is as though insensible to the call of its God; but when released from the strings that restrain it on earth, it would like to take its flight towards God; the fact of being deprived of Him shall be an indescribable torment. All the other pains which punish souls in their particular fault s, com- pared to this pain, will be secondary. The purifying fire into which souls are plunged will torment preferably the parts of the body which were the cause of sin. I spoke to you of the body because, although left behind on the earth, souls will have the Sensation of possessing it still, in order that it may participate in the pain that the Lord has inflicted upon

the soul. This is also an act of Justice on the part of God, because after the Last Judgement, Purgatory will no longer exist and the body which was the soul 's companion in committing evil would therefore remain unpunished. Immediately after death, the soul of its own accord flies towards this place of purification. It would not be able to tolerate finding itself before God with the smallest stain and it would not want to come out of Purgatory before its splendour was not worthy of the place where, with God, must reign the Celestial Court, in all its holiness and perfection. The sole comfort for souls who suffer in the prison of purification is the hope that, one day, they will be able at last to leave it. These souls can do nothing for themselves, but they are able to do something for you who are still living in exile. They certainly do not waste their time which they use to love God and to assist men, especially those with whom they have had Spiritual and natural ties, those who have helped them to save their souls. And they help, above all, those who ask to be helped by them by praying for them. You understand right away the importance prayer has for these souls: whilst it gives them comfort and help, by hastening their liberation, it obtains for you special graces and favours. Undoubtedly, God must grant these favours, because the speeding up of the meeting of these souls with Him procures for Him a great joy. There are souls in Purgatory who are suffering for many years. No one thinks much of them because, during their lifetime, they too, perhaps, never thought of praying for others. And it is an act of great charity towards them and towards Me to hasten their liberation. To make you understand better to what extent you ought to be interested in praying for these souls who suffer indescribable pains, I am going to give you a little example. Have you noticed in some public places, hospitals, for instance, those lighted signs that appear when a patient rings? Well then, think that each time you offer something for these souls that may help them, immediately they repay the good they receive in this manner: it is as if they lighted up the luminous sign "God", summoning Him to help the soul that has done them good. How can you help the souls in Purgatory? A thousand ways. You can offer for them the merits of your good actions, your sacrifices, your almsgiving, your prayers. But the prayer and the sacrifice that helps them most is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is My Sacrifice offered to the Father for them. Well then, reflect that this act of charity which you can accomplish while you are on earth is also a duty of justice. Perhaps there lament in Purgatory fathers and mothers who, while alive, neglected their children. To have the Holy Mass offered for them is the best way to make reparation. Perhaps consecrated souls suffer there, priests in particular, for having been too indulgent with their penitents, or for having shortened or celebrated in too much hurry the Holy Mysterious, in order not to bore the faithful. Perhaps

there are people who have sinned through too much indulgence thereby offending the law of God. Well then, it is a duty of justice to help them and to liberate them and you are able to do so and you must do it. Listen to the cry which they address to you: "Have pity on us, you who can help us!" Do not be deaf to their cries. You do not see them, I know that, and it is on account of this that you forget them; but if you have faith, you must believe My words and not doubt what I said in the Gospel that you will be rewarded, even for a glass of water given in My Name; do not doubt that for this charity in favour of My friends, I will give to you a great reward. Pray each day to My Mother to descend to this dark prison to free the souls that have loved Her most during their life, and be certain also that your invitation will be received by Her with joy and generously repaid.

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR READING (and v i e w i n g m a t e r i a I s)

Sunday, May 26. I968My child, the present lesson is meant to be for you a guide in the choice of those things that attract you the most, so that your choice is guided by prudence and common sense.

I will speak to you of reading. It is said that he who reads eats. Indeed, reading is like a nourishment of the spirit. If the nourishment is wholesome it will elevate your spiritually and will give joy to your spirit; if it is rotten, it will disfigure your soul, it will drag you to sin and to ruin, not only spiritually, but also bodily.

That is why you must know how to choose your reading and viewing material, and do not throw yourself into whatever falls into your hands, devouring the words, because it could be a dangerous poison insinuating itself into your mind and into your heart. Through bad reading or films, you can lose peace and be dragged into evil.

Many before you and stronger than you have succumbed; that is why you must fear for yourself. Regarding the choice of newspapers, books, and films know first the contents. I assure you that you will live more peacefully, have greater peace of mind and fewer nightmares. Choose reading that elevates, instructs and serves as a guide for you on the path of life. If reasons for study or responsibility oblige you to seek knowledge and by the reading or viewing of various unpleasant news and all sorts of

books, begin by recommending yourself to God who watches over your thoughts, your sentiments and your senses, so that they may not be influenced wrongly. How many souls are ruined by bad reading! How much innocence is lost because of newspapers and pornographic magazines! How many diabolical books! Modem youth, in the name of liberty, does not want a limit in this field. To tell you the evil that a fill the newspaper publication or film may do is not easy. Youth, deceitfully or shamelessly, diffuses evil; and the poison they have ingested they spread. And today, one shows off with the latest unpleasant information or the most obscene joke. Know how to choose, My children, and you, mothers, watch over the viewing of your children and over your own. Do not be deluded by thinking that nowadays things have changed and that it is good to know and to see everything. Obscene pictures and films awaken the senses and lead to bad thoughts and to sins of impurity. Certain disorders and changes in attitudes and ideas are sometimes due to bad films or books. Do not say that you look superficially only to pass the time. For, just as food nourishes your body, even though you eat by habit and without thinking of what you are eating, so too entertainment, which is the food of the spirit, brings forth its own fruit in opportune time. And it is when you find yourself in circumstances similar to those you have read about in newspapers or in books or seen in films, that it will come to you spontaneously to think of them and to act in like manner. Deepen the study of Eternal truths. Read books that point out examples for you to imitate. Read and study My Message of Love, the Gospel, books full of wisdom and light. What does it matter to know the "curriculum vitae" of singers, artists or personalities, if by imitating them, you ruin your life? Resolve to do some good reading each day, that will relax the mind or be good recreation. Resolve to make each day a meditation, however short it may be. Do everything with order. Do not cram your head by reading the entire book in one day because it pleases you, thus neglecting your family duties. Being able to impose upon yourself a rule, a timetable, even in this, has its advantages. To be able to interrupt your reading because a duty of charity demands your presence is a proof of character. Do not exaggerate in your reading, read moderately, reflect and assimilate what you are reading in order to transform it into your practical life.

OBSERVE NATUREAnd now I am going to give you advice. There is a book which every- one can read, even the illiterate. It is the book of nature. Never tire reading it; furthermore, accustom yourself to reading it each day, wherever you find it. Observe the flowers, the trees, the sky, the stars, the

animals. Observe the world of nature around you, illuminated by the sun or lit up by the moon. Read in this marvellous book the goodness of the Father, His Immensity, His Justice, His Providence. And after having reflected upon it, there will come spontaneously a thought of gratitude towards Him; you will have more confidence, you will feel better for it. The Saints knew how to elevate their heart to God full of gratitude, by only looking at a little flower of the field. Read the book of Creation, which is at everyone's disposal, and you will discover God's love for men, whether good or bad, and you also will feel your heart expand in the love of God and of your brothers and sisters.

JESUS ASKS FOR YOUR HEART

Monday, May 27,I968

My beloved child, be prompt when I call and happy to make a little sacrifice for your Lord, for He loves the one who gives with joy. The Lord will always ask you for something, but above all he will ask for your heart of which He is jealous. He wants your heart, your love. He wants you generous and disinterested. Coldness repulses Him, stinginess saddens Him. If you are not able to do much, do all you can, but have immense desires, because God loves men of great desires. Let each of your deeds be accomplished by you in an act of pure love, so as to make your life a long golden chain to offer to the Father. Into every pot of soup, you put a pinch of salt , and watch out if it is not there! Well then, into each of your actions, however insignificant, put a pinch of love. Love of God and love of neighbour which, in the last analysis, becomes again love of God. He who does not feel the fatigue, is not aware of the sacrifice, for him everything is light, everything beautiful. See with what joy a mother sacrifices herself for her children! She loves them. Love makes heroism possible. At the base of all sanctity, you will find love. Rightly My dear Augustine said: "Love and do what you will." If you love God, it is not possible that you will offend Him. Prayer without love is like a harp without sound. It s music does not go up to Heaven. Suffering without love resembles that of an ox pulling the cart; it is like an insignificant thing and without value. To suffer through force, to suffer stoically, is to suffer uselessly. Wherever you put an act of love, you transform everything. You must become holy, do you want to make yourself holy? Here is the shortest way and one most sure: accomplish with love the Will of God. The greater your love is, the more true will be your sanctity. The Will of God are your daily duties, those inherent in

your state. Do not make things difficult. From morning until night, you go about plaiting your actions for the good of your family. Well then, tie them up with the love of God. This is sanctity. The reward in paradise will be proportionate to the love with which you will have penetrated your life. To pick up a pin may be more meritorious than to construct a cathedral; the merit is proportionate to the love put into the act. The Lord does not ask for great works. These He accomplishes Himself and chooses the most unsuitable instruments. He asks for love. He is a Beggar of Love. Love saves souls through Me. It is I who -save souls through the intermediary of your love. That is why your work can be grandiose. Through the power of your love, you can rejoin all the points of the earth and help Me to accomplish Redemption and Salvation.

ENTRUST ONESELF TO GOD Tuesday, May 28,I968My beloved child, here you are in My service. Things change and persons vary but I remain immutable and steadfast in My thoughts and in My sentiments. That is why I repeat to you, entrust yourself solely to Me, for he who trusts only in man, may perish with him. You yourself, perceive how one minute is different from the next? At the very moment when you decide one thing, you think of it differently and change your mind. Such is human nature, subject to continual change. But God remains He who was. He who is, and He who will be. Nothing changes in Him.

Neither goodness, nor beauty, nor mercy, nor justice, nor fidelity, nor providence and all the most beautiful endowments that you find in him in an infinite measure.

He is Science, Wisdom and Perfection. Entrust yourself to Him, My child, and you will never perish. Be the master of your intelligence and of your heart so as to be able always to direct them towards God and to give them to him, to Him who has the right to possess them.

Always look ahead, always strive towards the goal, always free your heart more and more of every sentiment not worthy of Him, since out with this freedom will you be able to fly on the path of perfection without entangling your wings and clipping them.

Free yourself also from yourself, as you are your first enemy. When you seek yourself, you forget to seek your God. Do not perform any

action for human motives but let everything be actuated by My Will and have as your goal eternal Life.

Praise God in everything, for to Him only is due honour and glory for ever and ever.

IN PREPARATION FOR PENTECOST

Wednesday, May 29, I968 (I500)

My children, here you are reunited, like My Apostles in the Cenacle, with Mary My Mother. May My Grace, My Blessing and the Light of the Consoling Spirit be upon you. May all of you be inflamed with holy love and may you be able to spread this love everywhere you go. Fill your families with it, fill the whole world with it, this world which no longer believes in God's Love and is destroying itself in frivolous love and in hate. My children, love one another and love Me: therein is the Law. All the rest is nothing. I bless you, My children; in recollection and in prayer, in union with My Mother, prepare yourselves for Pentecost.

APOSTOLATE - I SPEAK TO YOU WITHOUT WORDS

Monday, May 27, I968 (I030)

My beloved children, do not be troubled, believe and adore. In its time, everything will appear clear to you. Know how to wait, My children. Did I not say to you: "Not he who will have seen and will have believed, but blessed is he who will have believed without seeing"? What does it matter if some believe and others do not? Continue your work serenely. Consider the fruits. If the fruits are good, the work comes from God. Your work, your mission, brings with it sincerity, peace, love, harmony. Well then, it is good. If it brought discord, quarrels, jealousy, you would doubt it. Pursue your path with serenity. Confide in Me who speaks to you. I speak to you in secret, I speak to you without words, but what does it matter since you understand Me? I speak by enlightening minds, I influence hearts. I move wills. The Word, it is l: the Eternal Word of the Father. During My mortal life, I spoke to crowds eager for My doctrine; but from all eternity I speak to all Creation. By My Word the Heavens and the earth were formed, plants and animals, fish and birds. By My

Word, man was created to My Image and Likeness. In the Likeness of God, do you understand that? And to man was given a ray of what I possess from all eternity: the soul, immortal, Spiritual, capable of willing, loving, understanding and speaking. Yes, for you have the words to express your thoughts, your will, your desires, but only insofar as your soul makes you capable of such expression and sentiments. There are mute people who speak marvellously with their God and there are very talkative people who do not know how to say one word to Him, or who do not, by word, reach the Heart of God. So you see, it is not necessary for the Lord to speak to you with the sound of His Voice in order to make Himself understood by you, and you can speak to His Heart even if your lips are mute. Have confidence, My child, and write. I promise you that what you write will do much good to souls, much more than the books of great writers and great theologians, because in these pages breathes My Spirit, My Will, and your little work is only a trifle that you give to Me, a little collaboration of sacrifice. Do it with faith and with love, with simplicity and as obedience. I will give you merit for it as if you had accomplished a marvellous work, the most beautiful of your life. Do it for your children and for all those whom I have given to you. Do it for the Priests whom I have confided to you and whom I have put on your path. Yes, for those who make you suffer, for I will reward you, not for the correspondence that they will have brought to your maternal love and to your offering of each day, but for what you do for them. Remain serene, do not worry; pray for them, pray for everyone. Good and bad, they are all Mine before being yours and you must love them and pardon them. I bless you, My child; I will call you later.

THE COMMUNION OF SAINTSThursday, May 30, I968 (I200)

My beloved child, this subject I speak to you about will be particularly pleasing to your heart and it is also to Mine. I speak to you of the charity which binds the large family of God, the family of the Saints, of those who live in the state of grace; that is why, what they do turns to the benefit of all the others. This is the wonderful dogma of the Communion of Saints. I remind you that, through this Communion, you are united not only to all men on earth, whatever their nation or their religion may be, but also to the Saints in Heaven and to the Souls in Purgatory. From this Communion there flows mutual assistance, made up of prayers and merits, which surpasses all human thought. It is like an exchange of marvellous gifts that souls make in Me, under the gaze of my Father,

urged on by the animating breath of the Holy Spirit. Woe if there were not this exchange of gifts, thanks to which he who has more, is able to give to him who has nothing, and can pay to Divine Justice the debts of another. All heavenly treasure passes through My Hands and comes from Me, valorised by My Blood and My merits. My Mother is like the Heavenly Treasurer who, putting in the common coffer the abundance of Her merits, passes them on to Her children. Thus are doing and have done thousands and thousands of Saints who, having lived a life of innocence and of penance, are still able to distribute to the poor ones of the Church of God their superfluous, the merits that they have in excess. This marvellous Communion does not only unite the Saints in Heaven to the souls on earth, but it unites also the souls on earth. For this reason, you yourself can assist persons far away, unknown and ill. You can help the Pope, the Bishops, Priests; you can support them in their apostolic labour and participate in their merits. You can aid Missionaries and become a missionary, just by staying at home. You pray, you suffer, you work for them. What does it matter if your name is unknown to them? It is the Father who sees and who rewards, by giving each one a reward for his merits. There are ill ones who suffer and despair. Do you want to help them? You can: offer up for them your daily pains. Be patient under the crosses you must endure, be generous, suffer for those stricken by disease, perhaps more serious and more painful than yours, and you will be for them a help. Peace will enter into them even amidst pain. The Father accepts, approves and blesses this unselfishness, this gift to brothers and sisters, and He rewards the one who makes it. You express many proverbs that recall the usefulness of these reciprocal gifts and it is good that you keep them in mind. The proverb is like a seed of wisdom which keeps a truth alive in your mind. For example, remember this saying: "He who prays for others, hoards for himself." "Charity goes out the window and comes in through the door." It is true that it is more perfect to act through love, without thinking of the reward, but God is infinitely just and rewards over abundantly everything that one does for His children, even if for the good that will be done through pure love, the reward shall be still greater. In the other lessons, I have spoken to you of the souls in Purgatory and of their work of salvation on behalf of the living. They are not able to pray for themselves, but with what love they think of you and pray for you! The Communion of Saints rejoices in them, and they obtain comfort and relief whilst they repay this gift with generosity and love in God. That is why you do well when you make a gift of all your merits and of your prayers; be certain also that this heroic act of charity, which deprives you of everything in favour of your needs, will be repaid in a truly marvellous way. They will be beside you on the path of life, in a way as to save you from many dangers and to protect

you against them. These souls will be good companions for you on whom you can rely in all your necessities. You are, therefore, not alone in the world. Just as you must not live egotistically for yourself, but think of all the others, in the same way be certain there are many who, with God, watch over you and assist you. Open your heart to great joy and to great hope, open your heart to love, make your contribution to the great family of God's Saints and from them also receive your share.

CARMELLA ON A VISIT TO SAN GIOVANNI

Friday. May 3I, I968 (I2I5)

My beloved child, listen to Me. I am giving you your lesson in this train, while you are on your way to be near My son of predilection who snatches from My Heart so many graces and so many gifts. I want to tell you how it is that his prayer has such power over My Heart, so much so that what he asks of My Mother and Me is like a command for Us. You see, he does not live for himself, but solely in Me and for Me. He does not act, does not think, does not speak, does not suffer, does not pray, except in God, accomplishing at each instant the Holy Will of God. All that he accomplishes is divine and it is Divinity It self which acts in him. That is why his works are wonderful, that is why he does not know distance, either in space or in time. God is everywhere, as you know, and this thought must, at each instant, revive your faith and incite you to sentiments of confidence and hope. God never abandons you. He keeps you immersed in His immensity just like the sea which contains fish in its waters. Just as these could not live without water in which they are submerged and in which they find their food, so too you cannot live unless immersed in your God. He is everything for you, and you, by living ceaselessly in His Presence and immersed in Him, you live the Spiritual life which is the main reason for your existence. "Live in My Presence and you will be perfect," says the Holy Spirit. Love to speak with your God in prayer, give your heart to your God. I said it very often to you: God is jealous of your heart and you must keep it exclusively for Him. Now you are going to Padre Pio, and from this visit you must bring back these lessons.

PADRE PIO

You are going to pay a visit to a man who has made of his life a complete gift to God to the point of allowing himself to be replaced by Him. You are going to see a man who has made of his life a holocaust on behalf of his brothers and sisters, in the sacrifice the most similar to the one I Myself made on the Cross. Imitate him in these gifts. You too give yourself completely to Me. Accomplish My Will with faith, with love, with joy, at each instant of your life. Call Me to come within you so that I may take your place. I will enter into your mouth and I will speak in you and then, you word will be effective. I will think in your mind, and I will love in your heart. I will sanctify your sufferings, I will make fruitful your works which I myself will accomplish in you, and you, you will be merely one of My Instruments. Imitate My dear son in his abandonment on behalf of his brothers and sisters. Your sacrifice will be more effective and will bring Redemption; it will be Me whom you will complete and will assist in the work of salvation. Then the pilgrimage will bear fruit. I am pleased with your offering on behalf of My son. I love generosity, especially if it is exercised in favour of him who has given all for others. I promise you that I will speak to him of you and of your group, and that I will use his sufferings to obtain for everyone those Spiritual and material graces for which you have undertaken this trip.

IN SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO

Saturday, June I. I968 (0300)

My beloved child, always be ready to carry out My Orders and to reply to My appeals. Light comes from above and strength also, but the will, which God leaves free, it is you who must bring it into play, and on this depends your merit. Always endeavour, on your part, to put forth a lot of goodwill and much simplicity. Do not search for subtleties in things. Isn't that right? Do it without hesitation, without doubting, without dilly-dallying. Do it for the love of God, with simplicity, considering the goal: the Glory of God and eternal Life. Always perform all your actions in this sense. You will be tranquil and you will enrich yourself with merits. I recommend to you today a special recollection: call upon the Holy Spirit to come upon you and upon the world which is heading towards its min. Pray for the Church, for the Pope, for the Bishops and for Priests. I bless you, My child.

LORETTOMy beloved child, I am with you and I bless you. You have done well To offer your prayers for your country which have I made mine since in it is found the Seat of My Vicar on Earth. In this coastal region, you also will find the house where I spent my boyhood years, and especially My childhood beside My sweet Mother and My Fester Father. Greet this Holy Place where My Mother even to this day scatters Her most special graces. Line your route with reparation for, in these days and during all summer, sins will be multiplied and will draw down chastisements upon families and upon Italy, while many innocent ones will lose the most beautiful thing they possess which ravishes My Heart. Let your reparation be one of sacrifice, prayer, good example. I will reward you for them by blessing your intentions and your souls. My loving child, wherever you go, I am with you and My lessons must not be lacking to you. I confirm to you that what you are writing is a gift which comes from Me; it is I who suggest it to you and your collaboration is for you a duty which you may not shirk. You are acting through enlightenment and the teachings that you receive concern solely the Spiritual life; and the desires which I have for 'your sanctification are not only for you but for all the people whom you approach continuously. Today I have followed you in your pilgrimage and, in the House of My childhood, I have granted you numerous graces.

PLACES OF PILGRIMAGE

This is the spirit which must influence you whilst visiting the sites where My Mother and I decided to live in a very singular way, arranging things in such a way that these places become an oasis in the desert of the world. You must come to such places with great love, great respect and in a spirit of reparation. In these places, which are like the vestibules of Heaven, you must praise God and make reparation for the evil that is being committed in the world, which is the great temple of God. I like also that each one make known their needs, but pay great attention not to over estimate material needs in comparison to Spiritual ones. Pilgrimages are pleasing to Me. They also please My Mother, for they serve to practise penance and strengthen affection among you whilst they revive faith and love for God and for My Mother. Love Me, My children; love My Mother and love each other. My Heart is thirsty for love and desires that love be diffused in the world. However, take great care in your affections. Remember the Commandment of God: "You shall love the Lord with all your mind, with all your heart, with all your strength."

Remember the second one which is similar to the first: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself for the love of God." Remember also these words which you often hear repeated: "He who loves his father and mother more than Me is not worthy of Me." Love Me, then, as much as you can, and love everyone as yourself; but love them in Me and for Me if you want your affections to be holy and worthy of eternal reward.

CONFESSION Tuesday. June 4, I968 (I500)

My beloved child, do not wait till the last hour to do good, do not find yourself with empty hands when your God comes to you. Do good while you have the time. Humble yourself after each fall and continue on courageously. - Be sincere with yourself so as to know your fault s better. Be sincere with God, avowing them to Him and despising them in the Sacrament of Confession. Here is one very important quality which you must bring to the tribunal of Penance: sincerity. You know that the Sacrament of Confession was instituted by Me, after My Resurrection. You know that in the confessional, My Ministers are only My Representatives who have the duty to exercise My Mercy and to absolve your sins. You must not, therefore, be anxious about hiding them; but take interest in avowing them so that I can forgive them. Sincerity in Confession is a sign of humility. The idea that My Minister may think badly of you after Confession must not intimidate you. He could not do so without failing in My law of charity. And besides, of what importance is it to you to have others think well of you - even your confessor - when, by not using sincerity, you may indeed receive the favour and esteem of a person, but not Mine. For I scrutinise the interior and I see everything, even into the innermost depths. I see each sin with all its malice. Using sincerity in this Sacrament amounts to throwing your miseries into My Heart, throwing them in their entirety and wanting their destruction. Scrutinise well your heart when you are preparing to receive this Sacrament, and seek out the cause of the evil. A sin which you detest under a specific appearance may reveal quite a different root. I will explain it to you: a person may steal for different motives, and it is the motive which counts. Another may slander and they may be impelled by various other defects to commit this one fault . Remove these defects and slandering also will be eliminated. One may slander, for example, through vanity, through envy, through the habit of gossiping, etc. That is why it is not so necessary to mention the sin as to discover its source. If one removes the root of evil, all the rest is eliminated. When you go to

confess, you go to the doctor. Certainly it would not be advantageous to hide from him your wrongdoings, for you have the desire to be healed. And the treatment will bc more effective if, after the description of your ills, the doctor knows you better. If you really want your Spiritual ills treated, expose them to My Minister and conform yourself to his advice. By this I do not mean to say that in confessing you have to go into details which may offend the ear of the confessor, but I am merely insisting that you discover in yourself the source of your defects so he can help you to correct yourself. Believe Me, My children: many confessions are zero, when they are not sacrileges, because of the lack of sincerity. When you confess, throw yourselves at My feet, exposing everything with clarity, but also with delicacy, with simplicity and great faith, but above all with sanctity, revealing the malice of your fault s followed by your repentance. I will pour over your soul My Blood and, through the intermediary of My Minister, you will receive from Me a great light thanks to which it will be easy for you to correct and improve yourselves and even to attain perfection.

Tuesday, June 4, I968 (I500)

My children, here you are again in My presence and in the presence of My very sweet Mother. Thank you, My children. Pray, pray: the times are sorrowful, very sorrowful; the chastisements and crosses which menace the world are dreadfully great.

Pray to the Father, have My Mother intervene so that she may mitigate the chastisements and take pity on you. The Father is weary with this world and what awaits you maybe is terrible. Pray, My children and love one another, help one another, mutually pardon each other. Do not hold a grudge against anyone. Live in the state of grace because the chosen ones will be marked, and no enemy power will be able to vanquish them. But if you do not live in the state of grace, you will be the prey of Evil. My children, do penance and pray, pray. The last hour could be near. Call upon My great Archangel Michael so that he may protect the world.

YOU MUST FORGIVE OFFENCESThursday. June 6.I968

My beloved child, pay great attention to My words, which will resound in your ears with a little bit of severity and I beg you not to forget them. I will speak to you of the law of forgiveness. It is a law so severe that, if you do not apply it to others, God Himself will not apply it to you. And if God does not forgive you, what shall become of you? I have come to perfect the law; whilst before My coming one could say "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth", with My coming into this world I have taught you: "Love your enemies, do good to those that hate you. Pray for those who persecute you."

Return good for evil. I taught by parables, I taught by example what the behaviour must be of those who wish to follow Me, behaviour which is not restricted to one particular function but obligatory, to the extent of becoming for you a law of God.

Remember the parable of the man who owed a hundred talents to his master and who, not being able to pay them, was pardoned by him. But on going out of his master's house, the man met a friend who owed him money; he maltreated him and demanded the money. When the master learned of this, he summoned his servant and had him imprisoned. That is exactly how it is going to be: to forgive is an indispensable condition for being pardoned. You will be measured with the same yardstick with which you measure. Do you want to know if the Father's judgement towards you will be full of goodness and mercy? See if, in your life, you practise goodness and mercy. If it is easy for you to discover your neighbour's fault s, to judge them with severity, how will you be able to lay Claim to indulgence and mercy? Remember that I have given you the example in everything, but the most beautiful example I have given you was from the top of the Cross: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Never call down punishment upon anyone. Invoke light, repentance, conversion, love. Always ask God to bless those who offend you, calumniate you, those who do you wrong, and forget the wrong that you receive. Always find a good word to say. If the wrongdoing is blameworthy in itself, he who does it is not always guilty. Leave the care of judging to God. Judgement is always very difficult, for real evil comes from the inside, it comes from the mind and heart, so how can you know what is deep inside a person? You judge according to appearance, but very often, some bad actions are made with good intentions. Remember that God knows how to draw good from evil itself; that is why you should leave it to him to act. Many times throughout the day you recite the prayer that I Myself taught you, the "Our Father". Pause for a moment on those words which should make many of My children tremble, those who do not know how to forgive and harbour in

their hearts desires of vengeance and implacable hatred: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." What a lot of things you all have to forgive! All of you, you are all sinners! Your weakness is such that at the very moment that you promise not to sin any more, you fall. And each day, you bring to Me your burden of miseries and fault s. Well then, you bring to God your sins and He pardons you and forgets all that you do against Him. But on one condition: forgiveness. You are not the only one in the world; you live with your family, in society, and the members who compose it are all imperfect, even the Saints.

Misunderstandings, fights, offences, are unavoidable. Differences of opinion, character, education, upbringing could create in the family and in society infernal tension, and you know how painful if is to live in such surroundings where faith and charity are lacking and where justice does not exist.

My Presence transforms everything; the observance of My law, the law of love and pardon, transforms environments into oases of peace. However, fault s do not disappear immediately, but one excuses them in others more than in oneself. One understands another's difficulties - in a word, one forgives. Apply yourself, My child, to destroying the hate and the Evil that goes about in this world. Begin with yourself. I commanded My Apostles to forgive seventy times seven, and by that I meant always to forgive. But I say the same thing to you: "Always forgive and forget." Your life will be more serene. Of what use is it to retain up in your mind things of the past which have been for you a source of pain? Remember the beautiful things that do good to your soul: as for the rest, let them go: sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. Carry everywhere love and peace. Always throw water over the fire. Love everyone, independently of their merits and offences which may have been done against you and the pain they may have caused you. ' Love them for love of Me, and in Me, and you will enjoy great peace.

COMMUNIONFriday, June 7,I968

My beloved child, listen to Me. I speak to your innermost heart where I dwell with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

I speak silently to you, for I do not like noise; I speak to you in recollection and in prayer, be it meditation or vocal prayer, provided love is its base.

Always listen to Me, I entreat you. I enjoy being with you, I like your Company.

My desire is to dwell in the hearts of all men. But many, very many, are indifferent to My appeals and do not like to be with Me. Even many good people who, at one time, loved Me and desired Me, have abandoned Me. They are weighed down by a thousand thoughts and preoccupations, they are drawn to a thousand material things.

Some, with great difficulty, remember they are in My Presence when they are in Church. Most of the time they are before Me only with their bodies. And I am not speaking to you of sacrilegious souls who come to receive Me in the state of mortal sin. My repugnance is so great, when I enter into these hearts, as it would be for you were you to place yourself beside a corpse in putrefaction. Some approach Me only to trample Me underfoot.

They would like to destroy Me, to annihilate Me. I know they will never succeed, but their desire renews within Me the pain of "Crucifige". If you only knew of how many outrages My Body is the object of in the Most Holy Sacrament! And nevertheless, you see, I foresaw it on the day I instituted the Most Holy Eucharist and, if I did not desist from instituting it, it is because I also foresaw that in the course of centuries, a few good souls would receive Me with love, would make Communion their delight, their treasure, their joy and that, consequently, I would be able to pour out upon them all My Love and all My graces. I love to dwell in the hearts of My Children, to be one with them. One Communion well made could suffice to sanctify a soul, as My Presence could transform everything. Many are the reasons put forward to stay away from Me, but I assure you, the principal reason is lack of faith and love. It is true, you see only a little Host, a little bit of bread, but if you believed in My words ... Have I not proved by miracles the truth of these words? Have I not spoken clearly to you when I instituted the Eucharist? "This is My Body, this is My Blood." How was I to say it to you? And in the course of centuries, have I not performed numerous miracles in order to manifest My real Presence in the Most Holy Sacrament? Is not Communion the food, the strength and the support of your soul, as it was for the martyrs who in It found the fearlessness to vanquish death with their martyrdom? Come to Me, all of you who are weary and are bowed down under burns, all of

you who are sorrowful and in despair, all of you who do not accept your Gross, come to Me. I shall open My Heart to you and in It you shall discover mysteries, treasures of wisdom and of science; I shall open to you the path of holiness shall disclose to you My secrets, I shall teach you the secret of happiness even in the midst of suffering.

SPIRITUAL COMMUNIONCome, come to Me... and if it is indeed not possible for you to receive Me, call Me to come to you spiritually. Spiritual Communion may sometimes be more effective than sacramental Communion if the ardour with which you invoke Me is great.

Call upon Me many times during the day to come into your heart. It will be like a renewal of the meeting of love, it will be a rekindling of your faith, it will be a confirmation of the offering of your actions, orientating them and rendering them fruitful.

Remember that Spiritual Communion is a sweet reality, not only a pious desire. You call Me and I come, and if you call Me, it is because you love Me. I make My Father and the Holy Spirit come with Me and We establish Our dwelling within you. You become Our Heaven. May your Communions well made, desired, prepared and followed be the most fervent thanksgiving, be a reparation for sacrilegious, cold and badly made ones. You will give Me consolation and you will have My blessing.

GREEDSaturday, June 8,I968

My beloved child, the lesson that you are going to begin will have as its theme greed, and I will say it to you right now: "Guard yourself well from such a vice: it is extremely repulsive to the Lord, and it brings much unhappiness to him who is afflicted with it."

The miser does not consider what he possesses as a gift of God, but he makes things his god. He thinks only of his own well-being and does not, of course, make a gift of his life to his brothers and sisters, but thinks only of getting goods for himself and of keeping what he has.

Greed is contrary to charity and to generosity, virtues so dear to My Heart. The sufferings of others do not move the miser: he pays attention only to himself, to his own health, to his own well-being, to his own comfort. He does not see the necessity of depriving himself of anything on account of others, as he never considers what he possesses as superfluous and, as a result, does not believe that it is a duty to give.

The miser looks upon God as the protector of his goods, and he is ready to hurl himself against Him should anyone oblige him to deprive him of them.

Everything I have said pertains to the greedy in general, greed for material goods. But this ugly fault is also the heritage of persons who frequent the Church and live an intense Spiritual life.

And here I speak of those who would like that the most special gifts and Privileges be reserved solely for them; they are jealous of them, as if these gifts were patented. And not only do they not wish to share them with anyone, but they even think that they are reserved exclusively for them. Such greed, coupled with pride, displeases Me much more than the other, based on material goods, for it can lead to great pitfalls. He who, convinced of his own greatness, thinks everything is due to him, can easily be demoralised in a moment of privation, to the point of losing faith and confidence, without considering that he will probably fall into that other sin, very grave also: that of envying the grace and gifts that others possess.

We have seen the negative side of this capital sin; now I want to show you how beautiful it is to act in the opposite sense.

When the soul, detached from everything that tethers it to creatures –be it persons or material or Spiritual goods - when, detached from one's "me" and from one's egoism, the soul soars up to its God, it feels light and agile, it truly feels free.

Freedom gives it wings and with them the soul flies in the most complete generosity, seeking out people to whom it can do good, whom it can love, instruct and help. It gives everything, it loves everyone. The world is too small for its heart and it would like to have before it a hundred worlds to save. Possessing nothing, God is its wealth and in Him it finds strength to forgive and to sacrifice itself even to heroism.

0! beautiful is the generation of courageous and simple souls, generous and heroic, enthusiastic and ardent, who give all in order to find all in the bosom of God! Of what worth are the miserable things of here below which time uses and destroys, compared to those which are eternal?

Love God, My dear children, and love your brothers and sisters to the extent of understanding deeply the necessities of each one, of being capable of depriving yourselves for them, of giving yourselves completely, of being able to forget yourselves, not only before men but also before God.

Make yours the necessities of others, because God desires this altruism which gives first place to what concerns one's fellow man. Remember: he who prays for others amasses for himself. It is a reality, for no prayer attracts more than the benevolent gaze upon you than the one which you make for others and which becomes an exercise of charity.

MARY THE MOTHER OF DIVINE LOVE

Saturday, June 8, I968 (I8I5)

My children, here you are at My feet. I am the Mother of Divine Love and your Mother. Thank you for your prayers and for the love you have for Me. I have asked the Holy Spirit, My Sweet Spouse, to fill your hearts with love so that you can spread it everywhere. You have done well to consecrate yourselves to Him. Try to live this consecration and you will see what profound transformation He will effect in you. Love one another, My children, and prepare yourselves well to celebrate the Feast of the Body of My Jesus by making reparation for the offences and outrages that He receives from so many Christians and unbelievers. Let your Communions be a joy for My Jesus, and a consolation for Me, who gave Jesus the Body with which He nourishes you. I bless you, My children, and for all your material necessities, put your trust in Me who am your Mother.

PRAYER IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ACT OF YOUR WHOLE LIFEMonday, June I0, I968

My beloved child, be constant in prayer and perform it as best as you can. Dismiss from your mind all useless thoughts, for prayer-is the most important and the most solemn act of your whole life. You put yourself in contact with your God in order to speak with Him, to place before Him your needs, to adore Him, to love Him and to ask Him humbly to forgive you your fault s. Such are the motives which must incite you to pray and to pray well. That is why, dispose your mind, prepare yourself by asking for help from God Himself so that the prayer you will make will be pleasing to Him. While praying, unite yourself to the Saints, to Angels, to Souls in Purgatory, to the Just on earth, and above all, unite yourself to Me, who am the Intermediary between earth and Heaven. It is in My Name that Heaven and earth were made, it is in My Name and through Me that the Church prays continuously.

Well then, if the liturgical and universal prayer of the Church is but an incessant recourse to God through the intermediary of My mediation, so too, in private prayer, you must unite yourself to Me and offer up My merits in order to give it value.

I told you that all that you ask for of My Father in My Name, He will grant it to you. And this is true. But prayer must manifest a few characteristics which you must not forget. Through it, remember to ask always and firstly for the Glory of God and His Justice, His Reign. These are the main reasons for your existence. You are in this world only to give glory to God.

Ask next, in prayer, for your eternal salvation. It is by saving your soul that you correspond with His plan of love in having created you. Ask for these two gifts, through My merits; ask also for all the rest that pertains to them.

That is why, My child, I urge you, to add to each of your requests the following: "If it is for Your Glory and the salvation of My soul, I ask for these faces through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Saviour."

Let your prayer be confident and full of faith. The miracles I performed during My life were always a reward for the faith shown in Me.

To have faith is already a certainty of obtaining. Nothing is impossible to God and if your confidence and your faith are great, God who can do all things cannot deceive you. It will be only a question of time. God will want test your constancy, your perseverance: but above all, if you ask for spiritual graces, you must not doubt, and you must insist: be certain that you obtain them.

Many mothers ask for the conversion of their children and of their spouse. Of course, they would like this transformation to happen in an instant, and I could, too, perform sensational miracles of conversion. I could strike them, like Paul, with one ray of My light and pierce their mind, illuminating it. Instead, I permit that their wills be not forced and I wish that most of the time it be the mother's and wife's silent tears which, penetrating the dry and ungrateful ground of the spouse 's soul, transform it. Do you recall Monica, how much she cried for her Augustine? Through those tears, she sanctified herself and Augustine was converted. No tear is ever going to be lost; never forget this, you mothers, sisters, wives, who weep over the Spiritual ruin of those whom you love. Have faith, and you shall reap the fruits of these tears in the increase of your merits and, when God shall want it, in the conversion of the persons who are dear to your heart. But have patience. The important thing is not that you reap immediately the fruits of your tears, but that these souls are saved. Oh! if only all the sinners of the world had near them one dear friend who prayed and wept for them, I assure you that no one would bc damned, for the prayer of some benefits the others. My children, pray with great humility. Make yourselves little. Little children easily obtain all that they desire, especially if they are meek and loveable. You also do the same: ask with the simplicity and humility of children. God is touched, I assure you, and He grants. Be persevering in prayer. Do not become discouraged, do not abandon everything at the first difficulty. Insist, knock, seek and what you ask for will be granted to you, always keeping in mind the Glory of God and the salvation of your soul.

THE MOST HOLY TRINITY IS IN YOU

Monday, June I0, I968

Pray in the Name of the Father who created you, the Son who redeemed you and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you. Offer to the Father the thoughts of your mind so that they may always be guided by Him. Offer

your sentiments to the Holy Spirit so that they may be purified by Him and so that you may thus sanctify your days and your life in union with the Blessed Trinity, awaiting the enjoyment of the Beatific Vision of Heaven, His Presence and His Life, of which you already have a foretaste here on earth. Often reread My teachings so that they may remain imprinted in your memory and so that you may put them into practice. Make them your daily bread and the nourishment of your soul. Think often of the Most Holy Trinity present in your heart. Reflect that by this adorable Presence and by the consecrations your body has received, this body is a temple of God and a sacred thing. God dwells within you as a Sweet Guest. Do not forget Him. Transform your life into a continual act of adoration and often renew your consecration during the day. God is always with you. Be His good companion. There are millions who forget Him; and even those who know He exists, relegate Him to the furthest comer in Heaven as if He were a Being who lives serenely in Himself, without bothering Himself about His creatures. But you know it is not like that. He lives beside you and in you in such an intimate manner that no one else can be nearer to you than He.

From your body, He makes His temple, His dwelling. He partakes of your joys, He helps you and shares your sufferings. He loves you as no one else could ever love you, and He wants you happy with His happiness.

Therefore accept with a good heart all that happens to you minute by minute, small troubles as well as big ones, maintaining peace and tranquillity. Whatever may seem insurmountable is often resolved very easily, without you knowing it. Evils are always magnified by the human mind, consequently increasing suffering.

Be serene, remain calm, keep an even disposition, even making an effort, for this is a sign of virtue and of Spiritual maturity.

MY SACRED HEART

Tuesday, June II. I968 (during the night)

My beloved child, I shall speak to you of My Sacred Heart burning with love for all men and desirous only to be repaid by love. I would like to make known to you the sweetness, meekness, humility, sensitivity, ardour, goodness and desires of My Heart. I would like to have you go

into its inmost depths and taste how sweet it is to dwell within. There is a saying of a good person that they have a good heart, and it is the highest honour that you can pay them by speaking thus. The goodness of their heart is manifested in their words, which are the translation of good thoughts and of good works, which are the tangible consequence of goodness. The good person fosters thoughts of peace towards everyone, they do not further discord, do not sow disputes. They deplore evil itself, but do not judge the one who commits it. The good person is anxious to do good to everyone in order to see everyone happy. A good heart is compassionate towards all miseries; suffers with the one who suffers; weeps with the one who weeps; does not envy anyone but rejoices of the good of others. All this, you find in My heart. My Heart is humble, good and loving. It is very mild, compassionate and sincere. In It , you always find understanding, peace, joy. Enter into It and you will be happy.

Wednesday. June I2. I968

My child, the Feast of My Sacred Heart approaches, prepare yourself to celebrate Me. Strive to make your heart like Mine. Be humble, very humble, and good. Correct yourself and ask pardon as soon as you become angry and offend anyone. Draw forth from My Heart patience and goodness.

Friday. June I4, I968 (0535)

My loving child, listen to Me; I wish to speak on a subject that means much to Me.. The other day, I spoke to you about My human Heart, centre of human life, which gives to the human person the characteristic of goodness if the heart is good, and that of wickedness if the heart is bad. Now I am going to speak to you about My Divine Heart, the Heart of God, since in Me resides the Divine Person of the Son of God. All the qualities of this Heart reside in Me in an infinite degree. That is why, as long as you are on this earth, you certainly will not be able to understand the dimensions and the virtues of this Heart. Through a special grave, St Paul was able to know, although in an imperfect manner, the length, height, depth of My Heart, that is to say, of My Love. And, in fact, how will man be able to measure a love without measure? My children, if you knew how great is the Love of God for you, your life would be entirely different. You would hate sin which offends Hi and you would combat

evil under whatever form it presents itself to you. You would rejoice in everything, as the good son rejoices in doing what his Father wishes. Even more, your only worry would be precisely this: to seek out the desires of the Heart of this Father, and correspond with them in the smallest details. Know that in My Divine Heart all men, everybody and each one in particular, can take up residence, can enjoy My infinite tenderness. A mother, as tender and good as her heart is, cannot, though she wishes, do everything she wants on behalf of her children, but I can do everything. It is not for nothing that I said to you: "Come to Me all of you who are who are weary and downtrodden, I shall renew your strength."

All, all of you, come to My Heart, immense is Its goodness, infinite is Its grandeur and Its tenderness.

Let the little children come to Me, they are the delight of My Heart because of their innocence, and I shall preserve them from evil. Consecrate to Me the little children, put them in My arms. The enemy is on the watch, he wants to withdraw them far from me.

What sadness My Heart experiences when these innocent ones commit their first mortal sin. Oh! If their mothers thought often trusting them to Me day after day, how much easier would their task be! I call the youth to My Heart who are the hope of My Church. How much I desire that they consecrate themselves to Me and that they deepen this consecration. If they respond to My call, I attract them to Me, I introduce them into My Heart and I make them understand and discover My secrets. My Heart is always young, for God never grows old. If youth would approach Me and study Me more, how much greater would their ideal be, their life more serene, their giving more generous.

Youth scorns Me; does not understand Me, keeps far from Me; lets itself be taken in by human respect, by love of amusement ... it does not know and does not wish to understand Me. And the priests, the consecrated souls? Oh! if they would deepen their studies of the qualities of My Heart, how fruitful would their apostolate be! everyone would recognise Me in them. My beloved children, consecrate yourselves to My Heart, strive to resemble Me, bring souls to Me. Make me known, I will help you in this Apostolate and in your private life. I know that heroism is demanded of you in order to remain faithful to your vocation, but I who have called you, I will never abandon you provided you come to Me, I will be your help ... Have faith, come, it is I who will give you perseverance and strength. I know, your battle is tough, but if you give

Me your will desirous of good, if you remain dose to Me by prayer, if you inure yourselves against temptations through mortification, you will bring your mission to a successful end; but I beseech you, plunge yourselves into My Heart and everything will be easier. And the sinners, the sick, the sufferers of all kinds, bring them to Me. I am the Physician. If I do not want to cure the sick, it is because, by means of illness, the soul is purified and Heaven acquired, I know how to transform suffering, in a way that its weight is no longer felt .I give them joy in the midst of suffering. Bring the sinners to Me. They have been and are the great concern of My Heart. I love them, they are sick in spirit, let them come to Me. You, good people, speak to Me about them in your Communions, bring them to Me in your prayers, consecrate them to Me. I sigh for their return. The Angels and Saints in Heaven have a great celebration when a sinner returns to the bosom of the Father! Bring them to Me, I entreat you. And you, My devout and loving children, who in My Heart already have made your dwelling and think only of loving Me and of supporting My desires, live tranquilly. You are My little children, My little lambs, My most precious gems. When the world repudiates me, I look at you and I am consoled. In you I see My Mother, you are My family, My most beloved friends. Thank you, My children, you can rely on Me. Had I to give My life anew on the Cross for you, I would never abandon you. The devotees of My Heart will never perish and, in Heaven, they will form My crown.

I KNOW EACH ONE OF YOU PERSONALLY

Saturday, June I5 .I968

My beloved children, you who come here, thirsting for truth and love, be blessed. The world does not know Me, but you are My lambs and you know your Shepherd, and I know each one of you personally. Continue to love Me and to make Me loved. Listen to My words and My instructions. It is I who will enlighten your minds so that you may understand and be able to put into practice what you are taught. I know you by name and I know all your Spiritual and material needs, but when you have begun to follow Me, you will see that material things will become negligible for you. You will be thirsty for Heavenly things, and your life will be very serene. If the sun shines in your soul, what does it matter that it rains outside? My Holy Mother protects you, helps you, consoles you and is an

example for you in everything. Continue in the good way, continue to love each other and to sow love. You will form an oasis of goodness in the midst of this world which knows only hate and envy. Make this oasis grow, let your example lead others. Did not the Church start in this way? A handful of men - twelve - and moreover, ignorant ones. They also, like you, reunited in the Cenacle, under the leadership and watchful eye of My Mother; then, invested with the fire of My Spirit, the Spirit of My Father, they became giants of strength, wisdom, charity, to the point of possessing the science of God and being capable of instructing all peoples of all times. Nothing is impossible to God. Give Me only your will and your desire to do good, and I will make you all-powerful, for it will be I who will act in you. You are astonished when you read in the lives of the Saints how insignificant souls, weak young girls, persons of no education, were able to accomplish wonderful works in the world. This is their secret: they entrusted themselves to Me; they placed themselves in My Hands, they acknowledged their nothingness and I acted in them and accomplished miracles. You, too, do the same. May there set out from this Cenacle an army of souls inflamed with love of God and of neighbour who, though noiselessly, but with a great faith and great ardour, letting Me act in their mind, their heart and their will, be disposed to give witness of Me in the world, to make Me known and loved. I assure you, My beloved children: you will have so much joy in your souls that you will distribute it to all whom you will approach. And now, I give you My Peace in a paternal embrace. I clasp you to My Heart, and I promise to come with you wherever you go, so as to make of you apostles of doing good, of faith and of kindness.

CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY My beloved child, I speak to you of something very important. l am going to enumerate to you the Works of Mercy which are the exercise of charity and are so very dear to My Heart and very important in the eyes of the Supreme Judge. He will demand an account of the practice of these works only, and nothing else, for in them resides the most complete exercise of charity. Therefore, I entreat you, do not wait for the terrible day of the Judgement of God, but judge yourself in anticipation and conduct yourself in conformity to this rule. Bach day that passes is for you a Step closer towards the rendering of accounts. But a good businessman does not wait for the closing of his business to verify its course; many times he checks his accounts and, each evening, he makes a balance sheet of his cash. Do likewise, you too: you yourselves do the same. If a more thorough examination is possible only once, especially during a course of Spiritual exercises or during a mission, etc., a

particular revision you can do and it given advisable to do it each day, each evening, in a brief examination of conscience.

"TO FEED THE HUNGRY"

,Thus, I shall begin with the first of the Works of Mercy which is so easy to carry out: "To give to eat to those who are hungry"; and I immediately add the second, which is very similar to the first: "To give to drink to those who are thirsty." Blessed are the mothers who have the opportunity of continuously practising this work of mercy every day and many times during the day. It will suffice only to add, to an action so ordinary and one that all practise, a right intention and a little bit of love. You prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner, for all the members of your family. Well then, accomplish this your duty by giving it a motive of love, not only human , but one superior and divine, and you will, without even knowing it , grow rich in merits However , look well around you .Maybe you lack nothing and you have the joy of inviting to your table your children and all those who are dear to you, of serving them a good soup, of enjoying with them a tasty bread and even other dishes. But do you think of those who have less than you, of those who have nothing and who suffer from hunger? Do you realise that what is given to you and for which you must thank Providence, is not destined for you alone and that your superfluous must serve him who needs it? Do you realise that wastage, before God, becomes a real fault? Bach year in the world something like a chain of goodness is carried out whereby aid is collected for those who suffer in faraway places: this social work is very dear to My Heart. To assist so many unfortunate ones is truly My desire and commandment. God could help them directly, but the exercise of social charity is too important to Me to exempt you from it. Humanity is My family, the family of God, and I rejoice to see this mutual aid which fills My Heart with so much joy. Do not be deaf to these invitations to help, even if you are not sure that what you will give will reach its destination. I look into the heart with which one gives; what does it matter if something is lost on the way. You give out of love for Me and wholeheartedly. This is enough. How meritorious is the work of those who, sacrificing a part of their time and their comfort, go to those places of distress, such as nursing homes and hospitals, at mealtime, to help feed the aged and the sick. Very often these lack only the necessary strength to accomplish the material act of eating and drinking, and they renounce this if there is not a good person to help them! Blessed be such work! While relieving the body and nourishing it, it brings moral aid to the sick and comforts them! How often children and adults suffer hunger and thirst in these places - and it is I who suffer in them - because no one helps them or understands them.

There are a few other things I wish to teach you which are very simple and beautiful. When you are sitting at table and you serve your own, do not forget to thank the Lord for what He has given you. Address to Him a thought which becomes a prayer on behalf of those who have nothing, so that the Father will see to their needs, and think also that you are invited each day to another Banquet, where I Myself give you as food My Body and as drink My Blood. Think that one day you will participate at the Eternal Banquet of Heaven. Blessed are you if you have invited to your table the poor, the disinherited, the sick, the needy, for you have aided them within the limits of what is possible for you and with much love. Blessed are you, for you will hear this said to you: "Come, blessed of My Father, come and enjoy the reward which has been prepared for you from all eternity, for I was hungry and you gave Me to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me to drink."

"TO CLOTHE THE NAKED"

Wednesday. June I9, I968

My loving child, the lesson that you are going to begin will be the continuation of the previous one on the Works of Mercy: "To clothe the naked." That also is a good work, very easy to practise, and to which I desire you to pay a good deal of attention. First of all to the rich, I give some advice which will greatly assist in practising this charity and it is this: each season re-organise your wardrobe, taking out what has become unusable for you, either because of its style or because of the size; do not allow the moths to ruin these clothes, but give them to the poor who do not have the possibility of following the fashion, nor the means of buying suitable clothes. Do not have the terrible habit of piling up your drawers and do not be a squanderer. Dress yourself according to your position in life, without making excessive expenses to the detriment of the family budget. Keep clean and in order what you possess, so that you may always be dressed appropriately, and even with good taste and simplicity. Do not forget that in your present time, apostolate by means of the word is rarely achieved, if it is not accompanied by that of attire. I will explain: a person who presents themselves to their neighbour sloppily dressed is already disagreeable. Besides, I assure you, exterior order expresses a certain interior order, the two nearly always go together. It is not for nothing that you say that order leads to God. l repeat it to you: dress yourself with decorum and with simplicity, according to your condition, to please your spouse, your children and do not even exclude God.

Certainly, ask yourself if your clothes can please God and whether you can remain in His presence without being ashamed of being untidy or unclean. These days one attaches no importance to modesty and to decency which made young girls blush when they showed themselves in public attired scantily, this no longer exists. One forgets that concupiscence of the flesh is not dead and if Eve, after sinning, found it necessary to cover her body, from that time neither the moral law, nor the inclination to evil and to luxury through the intermediary of the flesh, have ceased to exist. That is why there always remains the Obligation to defend oneself against so many dangers to which evil inclinations open the way. ' How dear to My Heart are the persons who, whilst dressing them- selves according to the custom of their time, keep certain limits which even make them an object of admiration to others, thus preaching by their good example. This was a brief digression to help you develop the subject I spoke of to you at the beginning and to give you the possibility of putting it into practice. ' "Let him who hath two coats, give one to him who hath none." Be generous, My children! Do not have ambition to become a walking clothes- rack where one suspends endlessly all kinds and all sizes of clothes. Remember that your clothing must serve to cover your body, which has been repeatedly consecrated to God. For this reason, everything must be treated with respect, body as well as clothing. How admirable was My Saintly Mother in Her simplicity, modesty and order! How I would like that by imitating Her, young girls, wives and mothers give to the world thoughts of Heaven, of Angels, of purity and goodness. Elegance and modesty are not contradictory. To you, I will point out one last thing. When you give your superfluous, take care to give it with kindness. Let everything be clean, decent, and useful. And above all, let your gift be accompanied by the thought that you are accomplishing this Work of Mercy, which will be rewarded by God in Heaven, where He will clothe you with glory.

"TO SHELTER TUE HOMELESS" Thursday, June 20,I968

My beloved child, listen to My teachings. I shall continue to speak to you of the Works of Mercy. We shall linger a little on the subject: "To shelter the homeless." l shall touch upon it but briefly. I who was born in a stable, precisely because no one wanted to give shelter to My Saintly Mother, who, as you know, had gone with Joseph to Bethlehem for the census. What was to happen happened, for it was spoken of in the prophecies, but I assure you, great was My sorrow to feel refused by

everyone. Well then, this sorrow for Me is renewed again in two ways: When I ask to be received by men because I wish to stay with them, to dwell in their hearts, under their roof, I am not welcome. My Word is not welcome, they do not want to know at all what I desire or what I command. Again also, the bitterness of a refusal is renewed when those who knock on your door for assistance are not received with charity. If you cannot always give hospitality to everyone, due to the present day conditions and situations of each one ...; also through prudence, seeing the abundance of crimes and wickedness reigning in the world ... still you are not prohibited, it is even your duty, to exercise goodness in your manner of acting and speaking with everyone. Reproach and maltreatment are of no use. If you will make the wrongdoer reflect and if you will reprove him gently and with kindness, it is more than likely that your words, accompanied by My grace, will be of benefit and will touch the hearts of men. Remember always that a story never does any good where it falls; at times, on the contrary, it causes irreparable damage. If you can assist the needy one who begs from you, do so always wholeheartedly, but take care to edify him by your behaviour, to help him spiritually by a kind word and, if you cannot do this, recommend him to Me. Next, whenever through interest or necessity, you receive strangers in your home, treat them as you yourselves would wish to be treated when received by others. Let friendliness, kindness, united to strictness give to your guests the impression of finding themselves in a home where Christianity is lived in its integrity and where all who live there are invited to practise it. "He who receives the least of these little ones in My Name, receives Me," so I said to you. 0 My children, how I would like to persuade you that, in order to be happy, your life must be very simple, above all your moral and Spiritual life. Do not complicate things. Act for love of Me, to satisfy My desires, so as to win Paradise. That is enough for you, it is everything. Just as a limpid eye gives light to the whole body, so does the right intention give life to your works: it gives them light, value, and makes them pleasing to God. It is not the importance of the work, but the love with which it is accomplished which transforms even a small action into a divine work and worthy of eternal reward. Never forget it.

"TO VISIT THE SICK " Friday, June 2I. I968

My beloved child, let us continue the brief reflection on the Work of goodness and mercy. We shall try to reflect upon the charity of "visiting

the sick". To what extent this work is profitable, you can understand from the fact that l, too, exercised it on a large scale, as the sick became a centre of attraction in My life and were one of the motives for My coming upon earth. Indeed, I said: "l have not come for the healthy, but for the sick," even though it were mainly the sick in spirit that I spoke of. But one does not reach the spirit but by benefiting the body, and I healed bodies in order to reach the soul, illuminating it with the light of faith and transforming it. You must imitate Me and if it is not possible for you to perform miracles of cures, when you approach the bed of a sick person, think that your visit and your word can give peace, comfort, serenity, hope to a soul who, perhaps, is in despair and suffers morally more than physically. Follow, then, the good inspirations when you feel the desire to do good. Remember that this is truly doing good, blessed and desired by Me. l bless the feet of those who go to the needy ones and bring them, besides a small material gift - which may be a little thing but expresses affection - the immense gift of My light, of My teachings, the joy of My meeting with these souls for whom I have a predilection. Call Me to your side when you go to make these visits so precious to Me. I will accompany you and I will put on your lips the proper words. l will enkindle your heart so that it can understand the needs of others and alleviate them. Voluntarily listen to the recital of their miseries and their illnesses. Let them speak, for all those who suffer are as a rule not willing to listen to others, but they have a need to open their heart, to confide all they are feeling and enduring. Listen much and speak little; then, turn the conversation to religious subjects. Speak of My love for the sick. Tell them how precious their sufferings are; tell them that their life is not useless, but precious. You will say that everyone on earth needs the sick, because if illness is accepted and offered up, it becomes the money with which souls are redeemed. Certainly, you must not Start preaching. But recommend yourself much to these sick ones; do it with conviction, being certain that you have need of them. Thus, little by little, you will make them understand the utility of their existence and their illness for the good of the family and of society. l assure you, that those who approach the sick in this spirit will derive great moral and Spiritual advantages, of feeling themselves to be truly their debtors. Remember My Mother: as soon as She learned from the Angel that Her cousin Elizabeth was in need, She braved a long and difficult trip with much love and ran to be beside her so as to be of help. She did not bother about Her own self nor about Her own condition, but She hurried there when charity called Her. You also, go with much love and in this spirit, to those who are in need and unable to look after themselves. Make yourself useful, if you see that this gives pleasure, even materially; act with simplicity, without pointing out what is perhaps lacking in the house, without modifying the order of

things, so as not to appear to want to boss. Do everything with politeness, with kindness, with serenity, without annoying and without giving yourself an exaggerated importance. Be perceptive, so as to cut short your visit as soon as you realise that it is creating discomfort or boredom. Speak tactfully. Do not raise your voice, for this shows a lack of good manners. Let the sick one and those in the house understand that you have not come to their home to chat uselessly, but to accomplish a Christian duty. What joy will be yours if you can, by your words, open the door to the Priest so that He may bring Me in the Eucharist! And what a reward you will obtain in Heaven on the part of these souls whom you will have assisted and cared for and for whom you will have perhaps regained the light of faith and My Grace. All the Saints had at heart this beautiful work of Mercy, and have practised it. The love and compassion they experienced before so much misery was so great that, very often, I would let them accomplish miracles of cure. Let your faith be so great as to force Me again to perform miraculous cures, if not in body, at least in soul, and remember that the latter is more important and more grandiose than the first.

"TO VISIT THE IMPRISONED" Saturday, June 22,I968

My loving child, here you are out of your house and in the Company of your Spiritual sons. But you are always in My House, since the whole world is Mine and since your hosts love Me and want their house to be Mine also. That is why we remain always united, and I bless you in this house because you are My children, very precious to My Heart. l speak to you, though briefly, of a Work of Mercy which to you will seem difficult to practise but by frequently remembering My words, you will be able to perform it through love of Me. I wish to speak to you of "visiting the imprisoned". First of all I must tell you that the first prisoner is I who have chosen the Tabernacle as My prison. My prison where I dwell voluntarily locked up, but where I await with a spirit desirous of consolation and love, all those who come to make Me a gift of their heart, and at the same time, of their affections and their sentiments. l am a Prisoner of Love who, from the Tabernacle, listens to the cries of help from My children and I give them graces and favours. I ardently desire that My children come dose to Me. I want to help them, all of them, for all have need of Me. The greater part of My children, those who even live near Me, do not deign to give Me a greeting, not even a glance. That is why, I entreat you, you at least, all of you who know My desires, come to

visit Me. We shall remain together, we shall speak lovingly to each other. I shall give to you all of Myself and you will give yourselves to Me. There will be established between you and Me a profound friendship, rich in joy, in hope, in faith, in love. Each day, visit this Prisoner who has made Himself poor through the folly of love for ungrateful and forgetful men. These, while again turning their back to Me, remark as did the Jews: "What words is this individual pronouncing? He gives us His Body as food and His Blood to drink? He remains with us and He wishes us to remain with Him? We do not understand these words." And yet, in spite of all that, I love all of them and in vain do I await many of them. l am a Prisoner, but there are many prisoner souls who are awaiting your help in order to be liberated from their chains. They are souls, slaves of the demon and of sin. Chained by their bad habits, they love them and do not know how to detach themselves from them. They are the children of darkness who lie in sin, in danger of eternal death. The demon who keeps them in chains under his power will make them his prey at their death, if you do not run to help them. You have understood well of whom I want to speak. The sinners, the sinners! Take Me, I beg of you, by means of your prayers, to this kind of prisoner, in order to free them so that they may not be buried in the eternal prison of hell. Remember that if you love Me, you must help Me to accomplish this marvellous work of salvation that is so dear to My Heart. In your prayers never forget poor sinners. Now I shall speak to you of another category of prisoners of whom, I am sure, you never think. They are the little children enclosed in the maternal womb waiting to see the light of day. l also wanted to pass by this road and, I assure you, the womb of My Mother was not a prison for Me, but a Tabernacle where I brought about Her sanctification - for She ceaselessly loved Me and adored Me - and that of the world. But the little children enclosed within the maternal womb, and still under the dominion of the demon, will not be able to see eternal light if they are not permitted to receive baptism. Too many mothers put up obstacles to this gift on behalf of their children, thus preventing them from attaining the Beatific Vision of God. Many mothers disdain the honour of maternity, and stain their hands with blood. Pray, My children, for all mothers who carry within them a new creature, that no one may allow them to kill and that freed from its temporary prison, it may live, grow, know and love the Lord by Whom it was created. Pray for expectant mothers, for those who bring children into the world, so that they may be generous and ready to make sacrifices, trusting in God and so that they may love their children from the moment they begin to carry them in their womb. How painful it is for many children, once they are grown, to learn that their mother did not want them to live and to receive the most precious gift, that of divine Life, in Holy Baptism, the gift which she herself freely received. And

now, I shall say a word to you about prisoners strictly speaking. You rarely remember to pray for them, but nevertheless, it is a very useful and very dutiful work. If it is not possible for you to go and find them, as modern laws certainly do not permit anyone to make visits to those who for diverse motives find themselves in prison, still you ought not to forget the charity which you must fulfil towards them in various ways. You can send them good books and good newspapers which may evoke good thoughts in these souls. Having made mistakes, they may, through reflection, change their mind and convert. Very often, too, in these sad places where the Chaplain is the sole person who may enter so as to say a good word, communication with one another, be it only through the wall of a cell or during the short walk of a few metres, is pernicious, even for the not-so-bad ones, who absorb ideas of rebellion and defeatism. Take an interest in them also, My child, at least by praying for them each day, so that they may have a change of mind and may not be doubly slaves of the demon and of men. May they become rehabilitated once they have served their sentence and have again inserted themselves into society. There are, as well, institutions that take care of prisoners' children, bring them up, educate them, and find them jobs. As much as possible aid these very precious institutions, so that these children, very often branded, do not grow up with their parents' tendencies. There are other works which occupy themselves with prisoners who, having served their time, leave the prison and are happy to see these charitable works functioning; for if many among them do not commit a second crime, it is because they have met good souls who have helped them in their rehabilitation. As you see, I have given you an ample explanation of a good work which perhaps you thought was impossible to practise. Now you can exercise it on a large scale.

"TO BURY THE DEAD"

Sunday, June 23,I968

My beloved child, we are going to continue the lessons on the Works of Mercy. I am going to put before your mind the last of the Corporal Works of Mercy: "To bury the dead." Do not fear, My child, that I wish to frighten you with the thought of finding yourself in contact with the corpses, in order to give these an honourable burial. You will see that it is not so difficult to accomplish what l Myself and My Church teach. When you are present at a burial and share the sorrow of the one who lost a loving person, you accomplish this work. Formerly, funerals and burial

Services were truly religious functions which, thanks to prayer, brought comfort not only to the deceased, but also to those who remained. Now all this has been reduced to a pure formality by the majority of people who intend by this to perform an act of good will and to bring to mind their presence to the relatives. This Work of Mercy is very agreeable to My Heart; by your example, you must endeavour to give it and to bring to it a Christian stamp which serves to revive faith. Above all, I warn you that if tears are not to be condemned, for I too wept many times during My mortal life, despair and everything which demonstrates in exteriorly, is to be condemned. In everything, even in sorrow, Christians must maintain an exemplary attitude. You know that death is not an end in itself, but that it opens the door to eternal life. If you believe in this and if you realise that on this earth you are just undergoing a brief trial period, more or less, you then understand right away that one may not look upon death with fear, but that for its encounter one must prepare oneself so that the conclusion of earthly life and the beginning of the heavenly one may be the attainment of a joyful end. That is why St Paul admonished the first Christians, telling them: "Do not weep like those who do not have the faith." That the body be given a worthy burial is one of My desires, for your bodies have been consecrated and one day will rise glorious and triumphant, never again to see death. Also, by decorating graves with flowers, one gives a mark of faith, for one shows one's belief in the Resurrection. However, do not forget that over and above these material things, or in conjunction with them, you must employ what may bring a Spiritual benefit to your deceased ones, to alleviate the pains of Purgatory and to help these souls attain the blessed Homeland. Do not forget that the Justice of God is infinite and if, with too great ease, you base yourselves on your judgement, thinking your dear ones have attained glory, and for this reason you forget them, you run the risk of leaving them to suffer much longer in Purgatory. Never forget those dear to you; if, perhaps, they no longer need your intercessions, they will gather your prayers and pray for you, whilst your intercessions will profit other souls, and you will make yourselves many friends. Remember that even in this you will be measured with die same measure that you use for others. A visit to the cemetery also pleases Me: there, you can pray for every- body and stop awhile to meditate on the nothingness of things that pass, on the shortness of life and the uncertainty of the hour. You can arrive at these thoughts on seeing the diverse ages of the persons buried there, but do not give this visit a greater value to that of fulfilling your religious duties, to the extent of giving it first place. Let the visit to the cemetery be the goal of your Sunday walks, but remember that it must not replace either the Mass, or religious instruction. l also was placed in a new sepulchre, prepared for Me and, on the dawn of the third day, Mary and the Holy

Women came to embalm Me. By this, you can have a confirmation of the usefulness of all I said to you, and what you do to surround your deceased ones with affection, in the light of hope in the Resurrection and of faith in future life, is pleasing to Me. l remind you of the meaning of a gesture which, generally many people do when their spouse or a friend, or an acquaintance, has been placed in the grave. In general, it is the custom to throw a handful of earth on the coffin; this should signify the Work of Mercy of which I have spoken to you: "To bury the dead."

SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY "TO COUNSEL THE DOUBTFUL" Monday, June 24,I968

My loving child, the lesson I shall give you will be very important for you and for all those who want to listen to it. You must know that if the Works of Mercy regarding bodies are of great importance, not less important are the Works of Mercy with respect to the spirit, the intellects and souls. One applies oneself to these latter works by prayer, by enlightened counsel and the desire of the good of others. Always let the basis and the Inspiration of these good works proceed from charity. May they be inspired by the good that you desire to procure for your brother who lives beside you. To counsel the doubt fill is one of these good works. Indecision in life, incertitude, and little confidence in oneself, are very often accompanied by great suffering which makes one dread everything, have fear of everyone, as if, from one moment to the next, there are bound to happen disagreeable events. In such moments of uncertainty, doubt and anxiety, the fact of having near oneself a person full of goodness who encourages you, is equivalent to receiving assistance from Heaven. However, be careful; that must not be the desire to impose your will upon those who feel inferior to you, but the desire to help your brother to see what Situation is the best for him, so that he may know how to choose. In order to exercise this Spiritual Work of Mercy, you must be enlightened and learned; that is why it is necessary to have recourse to God in prayer and to have a certain competence which comes from religious instruction and from the deepening of the truth of faith. Do not give advice without invoking light from above and without being moved by the desire to serve your neighbour. See how difficult it is to counsel, for if he who listens to you has confidence in you and is decided to obey you, you assume a responsibility. Consequently, do not give advice if you are not sure of yourself, in order not to point out a path you do not know, at the risk of making a mistake. Do not be eager to give advice; and see to it that others put into practice your words only insofar

as, basing them on My teachings, you are yourself certain of not being mistaken. The moral help that one can receive from a friendly person at one's side is so great that, very often, it suffices to give peace, comfort and joy, even in painful and difficult situations. Depend on Me for this also, weigh well your replies, let them be guided by good sense, by sound reason and enlightened by My light. Give your advice kindly; let it never assume a tone of reproach but give it in a friendly voice. May My voice be heard through your words; even if, sometimes, it sounds a bit firm, it is always, however, very sincere, and above all, it is moved by love and by the desire of the good of others.

"TO INSTRUCT THE IGNORANT"

Tuesday, June 25,I968

My child, listen to Me, I shall speak to you of the Work of Mercy which is carried out by him who instructs the ignorant. l was called Master, Divine Master, for it was truly My mission to teach and to educate. I used to speak to all categories of people and to per- sons of all ages. Little children would listen to me open-mouthed, and adults followed Me, forgetting their food and every other thing. l conversed with friends and enemies, with the just and the sinners, with the sick and the healthy, and to all I taught the way to Heaven. "l am the Way, the Truth and the Life; he who believes in Me shall never perish," I used to say. To My Apostles I entrusted the task of continuing My Mission, by saying: "Go and teach all nations"; and the Church of the Guardian of Truth continues this Mission through the intermediary of My Ministers, and instructs all peoples. Blessed are those who fulfil this mandate with faith and love. Blessed are those who, after having deepened at My school the things of God, feel the desire to make them known also to others and endeavour to become Masters of the Christian life! My children, be desirous of learning My teachings. Do not neglect religious instruction which comes to you through the intermediary of My Ministers. Listen to the lessons which I give directly to you, for I speak to the heart of men, and then, in your turn, instruct others. You, mother, remember that the lessons that you give to your children will never be forgotten, even if, during a certain period of life, your teachings seem to you to have been a failure. Do not fear, they will come to the surface later on, perhaps in adult years or when old, but they will not be lost. The most important thing is that there is conformity between your manner of speaking and your way of acting, that you have to teach by example rather than by words, even though,

necessarily, you must use these a great deal more. Allow Me to address Myself to that category of people who have chosen as their profession teaching in schools. That is truly a mission, not a profession, which puts the individual in contact with the mind of the child and the adolescent, to speak to his memory and to his will. It is a delicate mission, precious and divine, which reflects Mine. The teachings received on the benches of the school are never forgot- ten. The comportment of the teacher becomes part of these remembrances which, up to a very advanced age, charm us or sadden us. Oh, if only teachers would realise how delicate their task is, with what heart would they carry it out! What preparation, not only material, but also moral and Spiritual, would they bring to it! Few realise the grandeur of their mission, which many exercise solely in view of a lucrative goal, whereas, if it is fulfilled well, it is a daily exercise of a Work of Mercy so very important and delicate. My child, pray for those who teach, whether they be teachers or professors of universities or of higher education, so that they conduct them- selves wisely and as Christians in their teachings, and that they do not transform their rostrum into a pulpit from which errors are taught and even sin itself. He who will have taught My doctrine will shine brightly as a star in Heaven, and he who devotes himself to teaching, even to teaching profane sciences, with love and dedication, will accumulate many merits, because he will transform his life by practising continually a very precious Work of Mercy: "To instruct the ignorant."

"TO ADMONISH THE SINNER"

Thursday, June 27,I968

My beloved child, listen to My counsels and put them into practice. l am going to speak to you of the constant attention with which you must look after those who err. First of all, before all else, you must try to behave yourself, according to the law of God, then let light come to you through prayer, after which you may practise the Work of Mercy which l announce to you here: "Admonish the sinner." It is logical that your life must be exemplary in order for you to be able to admonish others. But, considering human fragility, on account of which you are all sinners, you will be able to accomplish this work if you put much humility and kindness into realising it, and if you yourself are also ready to receive rebukes when you make mistakes. Remember that to admonish does not mean to lecture, nor to get excited, nor to treat badly, but to warn gently, to show displeasure, to invite to renounce a bad life for the love of God

and, if a human affection binds you, even in the name of your affection, if such a motive is more effective. It is not that the fact of acting for human motives has any value for Heaven; but after that, the sinner may find the right path and decide him- self not to sin any more through love and through fear of God. That is why you must take to heart this cause which is Mine. You know that I love sinners, for I have come to earth "not for the just, but for sinners", and their salvation weighs so much upon My Heart that I would be ready to renew My Passion to save them. l am grateful for what you do on their behalf, and I confirm what My Augustine used to say: "He who saves a soul, has predestined his." I will explain to you also the motive behind that. He who obtains salvation thanks to the contribution of prayers and counsels of a person, how could he forget such a gift in the next life? There, where everything is perfection, the duty of acknowledgement and of gratitude will be practised in an admirable manner. You can just imagine with what love and what insistence will be implored the salvation of the soul who gave unstintingly of itself for the salvation of another. What I recommend to you is always to act with a great love of God and of neighbour, of not wanting to impose your will; but may it be the desire to bring souls closer to God which makes you act and speak. However, I repeat: be humble in giving your warnings and, if it applies, propose to yourself to correct yourself also of your defects, so as not to hear: "Physician, heal thyself." Act with goodness and comprehension, with confidence and perseverance, without ever thinking that there is nothing more to do, for you can be certain that when for you it is no longer possible to act and to do, I will intervene with My grace, and as for you, there remains but to continue praying and loving. Reprove yourselves in turn, My children, because you are all sinners, and love one another intensely to the point of being ready to sacrifice your lives for one another. If the salvation of those who are dear to you means so much to you, and if it seems impossible for you to obtain their conversion, entrust them to My Mother. If you love Her and implore Her, She who is the Refuge of Sinners will save them for you, I promise you.

TO CONSOLE THE AFFLICTED Friday, June 28,I968

My child, the lesson I shall give you now continues the brief reflections made on the Works of Mercy. I shall speak to you of "To console the afflicted". No one in the world is exempt from suffering and from the Cross, and each one desires to receive comfort and help in such moments.

l, Myself, who was an example in everything during the course of My mortal life, under the weight of suffering, addressing Myself to My Father to be freed by Him, if that were possible, was comforted by an angel. l would like that all of you be angels of consolation for one another in the world. I would like that in approaching those who suffer, each one of you know how to say words of such efficacy as to expand the horizon, showing that suffering is not an end in itself, but a means of salvation and a seed of glory. How many souls would not have found the right path which they have, on the contrary, discovered in suffering and, perhaps precisely, thanks to that person who has had the goodness to share in their suffering and to weep with those who weep. Do not be selfish, My child. Do not think that you too have your share of suffering and worries and can withdraw into yourself and think only of yourself. Remember that to each one, his own Cross appears big, and that, if you forget yourself in order to think of others, the joy and consolation you give will also be a consolation for you. Open well your eyes and your heart, My child, to see if there is some- one around you anxious to hear your words of comfort. Be generous with your time for others. Therefore, take great care in that you must help those who are perhaps in despair and not discourage them. You will have to say. words that remove from the heart any bad sentiment against God and against men. You will ask not to judge the one who, perhaps, was the cause of the wrongdoing, but to attribute it solely to the Goodness of God, who knows how to draw good from evil. if you are able, invite to prayer the suffering one. Prayer brings you God's comfort, but if you perceive that your words are futile, promise you will help the sufferer by praying for them yourself. Then truly do so, for the aid which you are able to give is always insignificant if it is not confirmed by the assistance of God. May you never have to say to yourself after having heard the epilogue of a tragedy: "Had I sought to console this embittered person who passed by me, perhaps they would not have finished like this." Do unto others as you would want others to do unto you. Act thus because all of you at some moment in your life will have to send out an SOS asking someone for help, and if you give yourself unsparingly to help others, these in turn will go out of their way for you. But in case men should remain deaf to your appeal, God will receive it in order to comfort you and, in time, to reward you.

"YOU MUST FORGIVE AND FORGET" Saturday, June 29,I968

It is one of the most important things that one can do. It is not optional but obligatory, and not reserved for some, but for all. l assure you that this is a very important thing: either you forgive and the gate of salvation will be opened to you, or you do not forgive and you are irredeemably lost, as the Father will not forgive you your faults. It is, therefore, a work of mercy that all must practise with great love and much promptness. Always remember what I already have said: "Let not the sun go down upon your anger." Even more: "If you come to the altar to make your offering and if you remember that someone has something against you, leave your offering, go first to reconcile yourself with your brother, then return to offer your gifts to God." l wish to point out that the initiative of forgiving must come from you, even if others bear a grudge against you. God sees everything and appreciates this generosity and humility. Therefore, never act obstinately, saying that it is not up to you, that the offended one is you, etc. ... The important thing is to restore harmony and serenity where there is discord, and establish love where there is hate. How many families are at war because they do not practise this marvellous Work of Mercy which contains so many virtues: humility, charity, and, above all, goodness which makes you similar to the Father, who always pardons. When I instituted the Sacrament of Penance, I said to My Ministers, "Go and forgive." The Apostles asked Me: "How many times must we forgive?" And I replied: "Seventy times seven", and that means always. If then all men must be pardoned by God always, they too must forgive their fellow men always, this being an indispensable condition in order to be forgiven. l entreat you, My child, if you do not wish to make useless and perhaps sinful or sacrilegious your confession and your Communions, forgive everyone with all your heart, to the extent of forgetting the offences, whatever they may be. This condition of your pardon, bound to that which you give to others, should be for you a great comfort in this life, a great certitude in the hope of a future life, and a great peace. Is not this worth the trouble of renouncing your self-love so as to possess such gifts? Always forgive, My child, to the point of forgetting, if you can, the offence received, just as I do Myself. When I forgive, I forget. Forget to the extent of praying for him who offended you, as I still do Myself: I go about lavishing gifts upon My creatures who continually rage against Me. Remember that the sower of hate is the Evil One; do not let him get the better of you. Even if you had all the reasons to protest against the conduct of your fellow man, you will imitate Me who, from the top of the Cross, said: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." You should have the same excuse for your offenders. They do not know what they are doing, they commit evil without wanting it, they believe they are doing good. How good these words are, and worthy of reward! Each martyr has pronounced them,

after Me, from Stephen up to the martyrs of your time, and it is the invitation My Holy Mother and I Myself repeat constantly to men who wish to be Our disciples. Love one another, forgive one another, help each other, for it is the Will of God. Now I will give you some advice. Try always and everywhere to re-establish peace and harmony whenever an occasion of settling differences happens to come your way. Do it with great goodness and great charity, and you will give Me much pleasure. Imitate the example of the Saints who, defying exterior dangers and overcoming their own weakness, with the assistance of God, knew how to restore peace to the men they approached. Peace is a gift of God which one earns through goodwill. What more precious money than this would you like to use to obtain so great a good and one so indispensable to life? May peace, My peace, be always with you and in the midst of you.

"YOU MUST TOLERATE PEOPLE YOU DISLIKE" My child, I shall continue My lessons by speaking to you of the Work of Mercy which many make others practise and refuse to practise it them- selves: "To endure patiently people you consider tiresome." Do not forget that all humanity is imperfect and that imperfections are manifested in life by your manner of speaking, of behaving, of seeing things, of making known your opinions. Whatever is imperfect displeases not only God, who is Infinite Perfection, but also men who, even though not possessing perfection, desire it in others. If you were all perfect, it would be easy for you to live together, as it will be to live in Paradise, where nothing enters that is not perfect. As long as you are on this earth, there will be for you this sort of Cross: to endure a character different from yours; to accept the inevitable clashes with someone who thinks otherwise than you; to accept to have your heart in tears and the duty of laughing with one who is happy; to see your undertakings fail and the duty of rejoicing with the happiness of another who tells of his fabulous successes. Everything is but conflict and trouble which would make existence intolerable without the intervention of this blessed Work of Mercy of which I am speaking, which, based on charity, makes it easy for you to endure others. l said it has as its base charity, but it is also composed of patience and humility, of obedience and necessarily of understanding, of generosity and of a goodness without limit. If, in fact, you put together all these qualities and these virtues, you will notice that the tiresome people disappear and, around you, you will find very loving people with whom you experience much pleasure in speaking and living. Remember that however much you strive to suppress your defects, there will always remain some which will not make you very loving to others. Think often on this so that in your

turn, you may excuse your neighbour's imperfections or real faults, and not only bear with them, but love them as they are, with their character, their personality and their deficiencies. Always accomplish all this through love of God, for if your Heavenly Father desires that you love each other mutually, if you love one another and excuse one another and endure each other for love of Him, you give a divine value to a human action, making it for this reason worthy of an eternal recompense. Imitate My example, My child; for though being God and possessing all virtues and capacities to an infinite degree, I have adapted Myself to everyone, supporting the avarice and betrayal of Judas, the infidelity and human respect of Peter, the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, the pride, malice, wickedness, ingratitude of a people who, for three years, had followed Me. They had seen My miracles, they had seen with their eyes My Power, My Wisdom and My merciful goodness, without understanding anything. Make yourself all to all in order to win them all to God. Such is your mission, and the mission of every true Christian.

“TO PRAY FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD” " Monday, July l, I968

My child, here I am to finish the lessons on the Works of Goodness and Mercy which you can and must accomplish in order to put into practice charity and virtue indispensable in Christian living. l am going to tell you how you can help the world of the living and all the deceased who wait to reach the blessed Homeland: "Pray for the living and for the dead." First of all, you should know that you can be alive although being dead, and dead although being alive. You weep for those who leave this earth as dead, but in reality, if the life of grace is in them, they begin the real Life, one which will never end. On the other hand, you see many people walking the streets whom you consider to be alive, but were you able to see into their souls, you would be surprised. They are real walking corpses. And thus, the work of mercy is not reserved only for the good you can do for the person living dose to you, and for those you accompany to the cemetery, but for the good of all on this earth..

HOLY MASS: THE SOURCE OF LIVE

Monday, July 8,I968

My beloved child, listen to My words, for they are Light and Life. Do not forget them, meditate on them, put them into practice and diffuse them. The world has forgotten My Gospel, the Good News; it is too absorbed by other things to think of Me! And yet, everything passes with the swiftness of the wind. All is nothing that does not last eternally. I entreat you, labour for eternity. Pray, love, suffer, work, write, read, solely with a view to eternal life, this eternal life which you are constructing now with your works which you unite to Mine by means of Grace. l would like to speak to you of the heart of the Christian cult, which is Holy Mass. Too many Christians assist at it as a simple Sunday collective prayer, without knowing that it is the source of life, the continual immolation of a Divine Victim, the only Victim who can compensate God for an insolvent debt. Sacrificer and Sacrified, it is the Son of God who offers Himself, in an unbloody manner, at every instant of the day and of the night, there is elevated from earth to Heaven a Host with the appearance of bread, a Chalice with the appearance of wine, a veritable Mystery of Faith! They are My Body and My Blood which some Priest offers at every moment of the day somewhere, to the Father for the salvation of the world. The deeper your union is with Me, the more the sacrifice of the Mass is advantageous for you and for others. How I would like all those who assist at the Divine Sacrifice to form a greater unity with Me! Then the Sacrifice would be perfect, for men would complete with theirs what is lacking to My Passion. Never think that you are alone when you assist at the Holy Sacrifice. On the contrary, always take with you in your mind and in your heart all men of the earth. Offer to Me the love that their hearts are capable of, the sufferings with which humanity is tortured. Offer to Me all that is beautiful in the world: the innocence of little children, the purity of virgins, holiness, for there are and there will be saints in every period of history and in every category of life. Present to Me the needs of all, as the Mass is not only Thanksgiving, not only reparation of evil, and does not serve only to appease the Father and adore Him, but it also serves to ask for the help which you need so much. You must celebrate your Mass each day with Me, uniting your sacrifice to Mine, and be assured that your life is sanctified by this immolation and it also aids your brothers and sisters in the most real way. Your Mass, however, must not be limited to this short lapse of time that you spend in Church near the altar and the priest. Even Mine does not finish there, but it is uninterrupted. Woe to the world if it were interrupted! That is why your Mass, just as Mine, must go on. Your offering must ceaselessly rise to the Father for the whole world. The action of the Christian ought not to be an individual one, but collective and with Me. I chose bread and wine as a substance of Sacrifice to signify this union. Bread is made up of many little grains of wheat, wine of many grapes. l am the Living Bread

come down from Heaven and, in the Holy Mass, l offer Myself to the Father, not alone, but with all My Church and with all My children. The Priest is only the Instrument of this immolation; like you, he can The harmonious song of the birds must lead you to praise God. And does not the perfume of flowers lead you to reflect upon the per- fume of goodness and virtues, so pleasing to God and to men? The works of God are marvellous and harmoniously sing His infinite Goodness, His Wisdom, His Providence. Nature's book would be marvellous to read. And yet, how many illiterates there are in this domain! Think for a moment what a perfect machine the human is! Sustained, guided, ordered by the brain and by the heart. Note the perfection of his movements, the variety of faces. There is not one person on the face of the earth who perfectly resembles another. The diversity of thoughts, of characters, of works, of capacities, of inclinations: all should contribute to give to man - even if it takes some effort - the joy to be alive, provided that what he possesses he uses for the Glory of God, for his own good and for that of his neighbour. But you see how different things are in the world. People live worldly lives, they do not look much further than themselves. They seek things for themselves, and many just look up to the Heavens to see if they can predict the weather. Know how to read, My children, know how to raise yourselves up, know how to use things for the good of all, but do not make yourselves slaves of anything.

YOUR CROSS MADE TO MEASURE Monday, August I9, I968

My child, promptness in carrying out My orders indicates the love which unites you to Me and cannot but procure great joy for Me. It is a small sacrifice that I ask of you. I know that -you would gladly choose other things to offer Me. People like the Cross made their own way; but if I load you with a Gross, I make it to fit your shoulders; that is why you must not fear and you must embrace it with joy. "l do not like your own sacrifices because in them, you seek your own will." In order to please the Father and Me, you must be desirous of doing solely Our Will and not yours. This is the way. You desire to sanctify yourself: the path is there, for We too want your sanctification. You desire, by your whole life to render homage to God who created you, redeemed you and made you His child; well then, this He also desires of you, but you must accept God's way. He is Father. Do not fear His commanding you to do things superior to your strength and, above all, be certain that in giving you the Cross, if you want it, He will help you to carry it. Even more, He will carry you on it. Be, therefore, anxious and eager to understand what the Will of God is, what Cross He wishes to give you, and then abandon yourself to Him and

follow Him. I have said it to you: "He who wants to walk behind Me, let him take. up his cross and follow Me." And then, love your Cross. Love it for love of Me, and you will see how sweet it will be to carry it. Do not make it heavy for yourself, do not complain about it. Others may have one much heavier than yours, and carry it with serenity. If it is hard for you to get up during the night, think of those who would like to get up from their bed and cannot do so. If a Financial Situation seems painful to you, think of those who hardly have enough to live on. Perhaps you complain because your work is exhausting; do you forget how many unemployed seek work? Your infirmities seem painful to you, but think how many people, at your age, were in worse condition, and that many, perhaps even among your acquaintances, have already left this life. Everything is relative for you who live in the world, everything is directed and governed by God. Bless and love the Lord at each moment. Assure Him of your obedience and humbly bend your head before Him. Humble yourself, acknowledge your nothingness; for therein is your greatness, your peace. In your nothingness and in the acknowledgement of your nothingness resides your greatness. Do you recall My Mother? She pleased God by Her great humility. That is why the Lord stooped down to Her and She became the most exalted creature on earth. It is the humble existence of My Will and in the humble and joyful endurance of the Cross I give you to carry, wherein dwells your greatness, that is to say, your holiness.

THE EXAMPLE OF THE SAINTSWednesday. August 2I. I968

St Jane Frances de Chantal My child, may the example of the Saints who preceded you and who have lived in the same life as you, spur you to desire perfection and encourage you to advance in order to attain it. l have chosen Saints in all walks of life, in the most varied of arts, with different professions, in the most unexpected places. I said "l chose", because the call comes from Me. It is true that to be holy, one must respond to the call, but no one would know how to sanctify himself through his own powers, without My help. That is why I am constantly going to repeat to you: "Desire holiness, ask Me for it continuously, and collaborate with Me so as to achieve it." May the saints who already have attained this goal serve you as a Stimulus and guide. Each one of them had their gifts, their capacities, their talents and their mission. They accomplished it with love and goodness: some within the circles of their family, the others by also engaging their charity and their activities exteriorly, or even

establishing other large religious families who then spread throughout the world. Be constant in good, accomplish My Will with promptness and precision. It is a duty, a mission. Obey Him who directs you, with simplicity and love. This increases your merit. Expect nothing from this world, but rejoice in being with Me who loves you infinitely.

THE HEART OF MARY

Thursday, August 22, I968

My beloved child, you know that My great Apostle St Paul was able to measure the length, width and depth of My Heart - that is to say, he was able to understand the immensity of My Love. Well then! I would like, to make you understand the infinite measure of My Mother's Heart, so that in knowing it better, you learn to love it more and more. she cannot console. She is sensitive to human sufferings which She bore in an admirable manner during the course of Her mortal life. She feels in Her Heart the sufferings of her children. She does not remain indifferent to any pain; it is only by seeing to what extent the suffering is useful for eternal life and for the life of the Church that She permits that Her loved ones remain in pain, all the while giving them comfort and assistance. She, the Queen of Martyrs, accompanies these troops of generous souls of all centuries who, through love of God and in order to bear witness to the Truth that I taught you, are prepared to give their life. But She is also dose to mothers who, in their daily life, face prolonged sacrifices in the accomplishment of their duties. She watches over the consecrated with a maternal heart, and remains beside them, whatever their age and condition. She is grieved if She does not see them working towards the perfection to which they are dedicated. Her supplication to the Father extends to all men of earth, and She constantly begs for pity, mercy, and assistance for all. Magnificent in Her beauty, She ravishes the Heart of God. She presents Herself to Him, to the Father, holding Me a Little Child in Her arms, or else She presents Me in my adolescence, or dying on the Cross. She presents also to the Father Her transfixed Heart with the seven swords, and she implores: "l am Your Daughter, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing." Oh! My dearest child, I assure you I could have created a greater world, with more beautiful and fragrant flowers, but truly I could not have created a better and more beautiful Mother, endowed with a more tender, more sensitive and faithful Heart. Faithful to God in the observance of His laws and of His Will with which She is identified. Faithful to Her children. Faithful to the

souls who have entrusted themselves to Her, for She will never permit them to be lost. Should even these souls be attracted by a thousand bad things which seduce the heart and mind, She knows how to find them, and to restore them back to the Sheepfold. She knows that I am the Good Shepherd. She is the Divine Shepherdess. If I am the Good Samaritan, She is the Good Mother who runs promptly there where necessity calls Her. She knows that if I am the Redeemer, if l have had My Heart pierced through love for humanity, She too is the Co-Redemptrix. My child, invite all men of the earth to take refuge in the Merciful Heart of My Mother, and they will be saved. In their inability to accomplish what I desire, offer to Her the hearts of men, good and bad, so that one more time, the world be saved through Her intermediary and so that Immaculate and Divine Heart, Dwelling of the Holy Spirit, may triumph

ST MICHAELSunday, September 29,I968

My dear child, listen to Me carefully. Often invoke St Michael the Archangel who presides over the nine choirs of Angels and whom My Vicar, through the Will of the Holy Spirit, wanted as Defender of the Church. Often turn your thoughts to him, for great is his power and his strength. He is the terror of the rebellious angels whom he vanquished in the terrible battle between the good and the bad angels and precipitated into the abyss. He tirelessly defends the Church from heresies and he aids each soul that invokes him with devotion and love, to win the battles of life, especially the ones against the demons. He is the Archangel of humility, and he rejoices to teach the practice of this virtue to men when they ask him for it. His cry: "Who is like unto God?", which is the meaning of his name, is most fitting to express the virtue so necessary of humility, which is nothing other than the acknowledgement of the greatness of God in comparison with our nothingness. Through his intercession, ask for the humility of all men on earth, and particularly for those governing it who, if they were guided by the thought of the Greatness of God, would not hesitate to want and to cooperate for the reign of peace amongst all peoples. Pride, in fact, blinds man and makes him egotistical and wicked. Pray to him, therefore, not only for the Church, but also for all the nations of the world, so that, once more, he may restore order in the world where demons go about sowing immense carnage. Place him as the Defender of your house, so that he may keep far from it the evil one and all other evils of whatever kind.

LIFE IS A BATTLE AGAINST EVIL

Tuesday. October l, I968

My beloved child, follow the road I traced for you without fear of being mistaken. Let the law of the Lord be the rule of your life. Let the voice of conscience be the constant call of God, which indicates to you the good and makes you flee evil; for the modern world no longer knows how to discern good from evil, it stifles the voice of con- science and no longer fears to offend God, who is always present to it: it scorns My Commandments and knows no other law than the pleasure of the senses, of his own will and his dominion over others. Do not follow the trend of the times. Go against it if you have to. Unite Yourself to those who, like you, desire good, and form a group, that of good against evil. It is a holy battle that you will be engaged in. I will be your Leader and your Defender. I will reward you after you have picked yourself up after each defeat. Do not fear defeats. If you are animated with goodwill, there will be no moral defeat. You will have some weak moments or tired ones, then you will return to the battle; you will go forward confident and serene. When everything changes, God does not change, neither does His law, nor His morals, nor His Truth, nor His Credo. However Fierce the winds blow, remain with Him, and you will be invincible as He, strong as He, immortal as He. My child, one day spent in My Company brings so much joy to souls and so much consolation to Me. I would like that all of your days be full of joy, filled with God. Never forget this truth: in proportion that your heart will continue to empty itself of frivolous and worthless things, a path will be cleared for those of eternal and infinite value, and at the same time, pain will disappear. It will not disappear by itself, as it is inherent in life, and this fact cannot be denied; but joy will come, serene joy which makes one taste Heaven on earth and which cannot be confused with the joys of this world. l assure you that no one who has truly tasted how sweet it is to stay with God would renounce this pleasure, even if to remain faithful to Him one must encounter torture and death. Thank God, then, for this gift, and reflect how much greater will be your joy when you see Him face to face in the splendour of His Glory, when God shall be your reward and shall give Himself to all of you and each one in particular, with the immensity of His joy in order to communicate it to you . Live with me, live in God, My children. I hold you by hand children. You have only to follow Me and to love Me.

THE PLAINTS OF JESUSSunday. October 27,I968

My dear child, renew your total offering to Me and love Me with an intense love: I ask you for nothing else. Dwell in Me with faith and confidence, so that I may be able to act in you and increase to the maximum the value of your life and your works. l want to make you taste how sweet it is to abide in My Company and l want you to understand to what point l, the Son of God and your Creator, desire this, not for Me, but for you. See Me beside you as the most tender of Fathers, the most sincere Friend, the most faithful Spouse, the wisest of Teachers, desiring only to help you, to direct you, to give you and to receive from you in return your confidence and your tenderness. Feel Me beside you day and night, Immutable and Untiring. You may betray Me, abandon Me, insult Me, maltreat Me, I will never betray you, never will I abandon you and, however great your offences may be against Me, one word imploring pardon will always be sufficient for Me to grant it to you abundantly and with infinite Mercy. Frequently during the day, fill yourself with Me in a great longing of love. Let your life become one continuous Spiritual Communion; you will have nothing to lose. Think to what extent men are proud to make the acquaintance of some personalities. How they boast of the honour of perhaps having welcomed into their home a great personality, or of just having shaken hands with one. Well, even though possessing an office or a title, to Me this person is like any other: he shall die, his body will decay, he will be judged and perhaps will be last in My Kingdom. Remember that to serve God is to reign with Him, it is to possess the world. Not a world of things, which pass, even if within you may feel a master of it, but God's supernatural world of souls, that which time does not destroy because it lasts eternally. My Law indicates to you My Will. It is summarised in the Gospel and in the Commandments whose depository is My Church. It is a law based on love and is unchangeable. The instructions I give to you are not new things, but are the Gospel in practice. The commandment of charity towards God and towards your neighbour is the summary of the Commandments which I gave to Moses, and I am going to explain them to you, to make the practice of them easy for you. Benefit from those gifts. The simplicity with which the most arduous subjects of theology are being explained to you will prove to you with what truly paternal care the Lord takes an interest in your life, in your affairs, even the most simple ones, ones which you often think you resolve yourselves. My child, I repeat it to you, remain with Me and call upon Me. Everything will be blessed and sanctified and you shall live serenely in love.

ACCEPT SUFFERINGMy children, accept suffering, so very important in the Spiritual life of Christians, and also as necessary as are mortification and penance. The difference between suffering, and mortification and penance, is as follows; in general, suffering comes to you from God or is permitted by Him, without you having to look for it, while the other two, you procure his for yourself; in the latter, your will plays a part, whereas in the former solely the Will of God prevails. No matter which, accept willingly all that makes you suffer, for the fruit thereof depends on the joy you put into suffering. Do not be like the ox who also suffers under his burden, but without any merit on part. Love suffering and bless the Lord when He sends it to you, for it is a gift from Heaven.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN SPEAKSMonday, December 30, I968

My children, do not trouble yourselves by assuming responsibilities which do not belong to you. The present time is sad and it will become more so, but each event will be guided and will bear its beneficial consequences. Let it be sufficient for you to be abreast of all that is happening in the Church so that now more than ever, you will commit yourselves to prayer, to sacrifices and to diffusing the Truth by means of the teachings that come to you from the Merciful Jesus. With goodness and charity warn those people who are straying from the right road, by helping them to see the Truth in the Light of the Church. The Church is always Teacher and Guide, and directed by the Holy Spirit. l shall send you people who will help you in your commitment to find the truth, therefore remain calm, but persevere in intense prayer. l bless you now and always.

ACCEPT SUFFERING: IT CAN BE A MEANS OF REDEMPTIONTuesday, December 31, I968

My child, never lose sight of the goal towards which you must strive in order to reach Heaven. Time passes quickly, until finally comes the last day of your life. Nothing will succeed in keeping you on earth, a place

you must leave eventually. If you desire ceaselessly to return to your Homeland, earth, a place of exile will not detain you, and you will be happy to leave it. If your heart is always detached from everything and everybody, in the sense that you enjoy and love every thing and every person in God and for Him alone, nothing will hold you back from the approach of your meeting with God and to enjoy forever His embrace and love. Each day that passes is a step that you climb on the staircase to paradise. I know that at the moment when you leave this earth, you will feel like a little bird to which the cage door was opened and soars through the air, tasting liberty at last. "My child, how great is the value of life, for it is a means of winning eternity; but everything which, in life, seems indispensable, and to which men attach their hearts, is of no real value. Two things only have importance: to love and to suffer. Love, under its two aspects of love of God and of one's neighbour, and suffering accepted and offered under all its forms: Spiritual, physical and moral." l suffered in the course of My mortal life, and of My suffering I made a gift to the Father in favour of humanity. You must do the same. No one can be exempt from suffering for all of you have sinned and continue to sin. Suffering is a means of redemption. I Myself have given you proof. Having taken upon Myself the sins of all mankind, I became, as a result, the Man of Sorrows, and My Holy Mother, called to be the Co-Redemptrix of the human race, suffered with Me indescribable pain. My suffering will be able to suffice for all men of all times, for it is not a man, but a God, who offered it and who offers it constantly to the Father. But, so that the merits of this suffering may pass on to mankind, it is necessary that you too accept suffering and that you ding to the cross. l assure you, My child, that in Heaven you will bless the Lord, not so much for the gifts He has granted you but for the sufferings He will have procured or permitted for you, and through which you will have been able to contribute towards your own salvation and that of the world. The Sacrifice of the Mass, which is continually celebrated by the Priest and the continuous offering of My Passion Death and Blood to God are a real fact, and woe to humanity if it were not! But each believer must put into the chalice of Blood, their own contribution so that the offering may be complete, and so that in My offering humanity may participate also. Remember these realities at the dose of a year and at the Start of the new one; put into My Heart all the suffering which is over, which perhaps you will forget, but which I shall never forget, and prepare yourself to accept all the sufferings which the New Year has in store for you, considering everything as a gift from Heaven.

LIVE WITH THE POPE AND THE CHURCHGeneva - Carouge Monday, June 9, I969 (0300)

Jesus - Constantly watch over your thoughts and direct them to Me. Keep for Me each of your affections, so that I may be able to help you to love all creatures and in this universal love, you may be able to elevate to God praise and glory and obtain God's assistance for all men and women. Live with the Pope and the Church this terrible hour of agony, awaiting Resurrection. In this general confusion, which is terrifying, I ask you to pray, to love, to suffer and to forgive with Me. Let not incomprehension and coldness, indifference and wickedness frighten you! If you remain plunged in My Heart as in the Infinite ocean of Goodness, no one shall be able to harm you. But remain always united amongst yourselves and in Me. Let there not be the slightest envy. Be rivals only in good and in love. Make yourselves always more little, for the Kingdom of Heaven is for those who make themselves little on earth. Try to outdo each other in humility, if you wish to please Me. Only in this way do you win and obtain the highest seats, those of the rebel Angels who left them vacant through their pride. That is the only way, there is no other. All very dose to My Mother, Mother of the Church and of My Mystical Body, whose Head I am. Close to My Vicar, ready to defend him against every assault of the enemy, ready to obey his every sign, even the smallest; humble and faithful, united like little chicks around their mother hen, you will uphold the sacred deposit that has been given to you, the Faith; you will conserve grace, the precious gift that is equivalent to life and, devoured by the most pure flame of love, you shall reach the Celestial Jerusalem, the Blessed Abode of God and His Saints.

THE POWER OF PRAYER I entreat you, become as universal as the Church. Through prayer reach out to all categories of people, and may they bless the Lord for it. May the straying ones return to the sheepfold. May the dead rise again to the life of grace. May the good increase their faith and may their hearts reach out always more and more. May those who suffer feel the Cyrenian beside them, helping them to carry their Cross. May all feel a fresh divine dew which waters them with grace. That is what you can do by prayer, My dear children. l said it to you that if you had faith, you will say to a mountain: "Throw yourself into the sea" and it would obey you. Now I say unto you: have faith and pray. Let your faith be the motivating force of your prayer and I promise you that, through your prayer, you will transform the world. Prayer disarms Me, and before the person who prays, the Father is pleased, pardons, and withdraws His heavy hand which threatens the world with justice, and takes pity on it. My child, do you recall the vision of Jacob: the ladder which from earth ascended to

Heaven, and the Angels who climbed and descended upon it? The Angels ceaselessly brought before God his prayers and brought back to Jacob God's graces. And that is how it is always in the world. Watch out if prayer is lacking! It is your strength and the weakness of God. At the present time in the world people pray very little, far too little, and it is for this reason that things go so badly. People think of changing, of finding better methods than those taught by Me, and they finish by not praying any more. They think of abolishing the prayer formulas, the very same ones I taught and which I Myself used. They want to bypass what My Mother taught and what She still teaches in all Her apparitions on earth. The Rosary is tiresome, they say. It is monotonous; for the young it no longer exists. Having thus eliminated prayer that comes from above, they Start praying by an act of pride, and what will this obtain? It is true that the formula must be accompanied by the mind and heart, but I assure you that it will be of great help to you. It will be like the railroad tracks upon which you make your heart and mind journey. The Church itself, in the liturgical prayer, does it not make use of formulas which are always the same and which it repeats? Do not fear making a mistake by following My teachings. Pray, elevating to God all your being. Let your body too, which is also God's, be strained towards Him. It is not reasonable to spend your life with your hands joined in prayer, a life monopolized by the thousands of things you have to do every day - but there are nevertheless fixed moments when God has the right to receive, with adoration, invocations, thanksgiving and the supplications of his children. Blessed are the families where, morning and night, all reunite for common prayer, where I am also invited through the blessing to participate at meals. I assure you that I shall reward that invitation by making you participate at the Table of the Eternal Banquet. Now I shall give you some advice. In your prayers, give first place to the people who do you wrong, those for whom you feel a dislike, those who do not please you; your merit will be doubled and will predispose your heart to pardon and to charity. Always unite yourself in your prayers to Mine so that from the Tabernacle I may elevate them continuously to My Father and unite them to those of My Mother and of all the Church. Through the virtue of the Communion of Saints you will give to your prayer an infinite value, and each of your Spiritual elevations will become a veritable Work of Mercy.

THE CHURCH Wednesday, July 3.I968

My loving child, in this lesson I will speak to you of My Church, the most beautiful gift that I have made to men. She is My very sweet

Spouse. She is beautiful, without spot and without wrinkles. She is the barque that sails speedily in the tempestuous ocean, carrying the seafarers to salvation. l stay in the barque, but the helmsman is Peter. Outside it there is no salvation. The institution of the Church issued forth from My pierced Heart atop the Cross, and from the desire of attracting to Me all men of the earth. When you, mothers, want to measure the love of your little ones for you, and you ask one of them: "How much do you love me?", you see your little one Stretch out his arms to form a horizontal line and you hear him say, "Like this." Well then, l, Man-God, imitated exactly the little children and if you ask Me to what point I loved you and all My children, I answer you: "Like this" and in a horizontal line I let My hands be nailed so that all can measure My love which could not and cannot be greater. If, next, you ask your child, one a little bit older, how much he loves you, he may reply: "As much as earth is from Heaven." Because, My children, I have loved you like that: as much as Heaven is from earth so as to take you all to Heaven. All through the centuries, without interruption, thanks to My most grandiose institution, My Ministers extend their arms during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass which renews mystically My death on the Cross, and they call all souls to Me. Holy and immaculate is My Church, even if many of the faithful who compose it are not worthy of it. Holy because founded by Me, holy because of Her laws. Her doctrine. Her teachings. Holy because She continually calls all souls to holiness. Holy because in Her are the means for one's sanctification and eternal salvation. The Church is holy because She calls you to sanctify yourself personally and she is inviting you with the gentleness of the Mother, with the Divine Wisdom which She continually receives from the Holy Spirit, with the strength of Grace which She gives to you; She invites you to accept Her call to practise virtues, to flee from sin so as to attain holiness.

PRAY FOR PRIESTS

And now allow Me to address an invitation to you, the most cordial one possible, so that you may pray for My Priests. The Sacred Order they receive does not eliminate anything from their nature nor from their weakness. Their duties are very heavy and if the graces they receive are immense, the non-correspondence to these graces makes them incapable of maintaining themselves at the top of their ministry. Therefore, pray much for them and never judge them; help them with your counsel, if they accept it, but above all, help them with your prayer and your sacrifices. This is a duty of all Christians, just as it is a duty of gratitude to pray for those who do you good and for those who give you material life. The power of Priests is so great that, even if they are dead to the life

of grace, they are still able to give it to others. Even if they themselves are in sin, they can absolve you. Even if l, Jesus, am not present in their hearts, they can make Me present on the altar by the words of consecration. Pray, My children, pray for them, so that they do not yield to the temptations of Evil; do not follow the trends of the world, so that they correspond to their vocation and are holy, in order to call all men to holiness by their example and their words. And you, My child, collaborate with the Church by means of the apostolate. You also are the living Church, and as such, you must know your duties. See to it that my Divine Mercy also circulates in you. "l am the Vine, you are the branches." A dry branch is cut and thrown into the fire. If you wish to live My life, you must be united to Me. Cultivate and increase this Life in you by means of the Sacraments and prayer. Diffuse it through the apostolate of example and good works more than just by word. Voluntarily sacrifice yourself for the love of your God who has extended His arms on a Cross in order to prove better all His Love for you. You also extend your arms and I will take you in Mine so as to make only one immolation with you, in favour of mankind.

RICH OR POOR Thursday, July 4,I968

My beloved child, in honour of My servant Francis, I will speak to you of the virtue of poverty, one of the three virtues which religious practise now, but which makes so pleasing to My Heart those who live it, whether they be constrained to do so or whether they choose it through love. l might express to you a beautiful exclamation: "Blessed are the poor!" in contrast to that of; "Woe to the rich!" and reaffirm to you that it is as difficult for the rich to get into the Kingdom of Heaven as it is easy for the poor. Indeed, it was said to you: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." I wish, however, to give you a little explanation, one which will clarify your thoughts concerning poverty. It is the complete detachment of heart from all that is material, to the point of hardly using it for oneself (even in the case of necessity) and to use it on behalf of one's neighbour, as if it were common property. You see how difficult is the practice of this virtue, for I assure you that there are people who possess nothing and are so avid for riches that they desire them as the most important thing in their life, as if life had no more value that all that is material. Wealth can bc a gift of God if it is considered as a means of existence for oneself and for others, but it can become an idol when you attach your heart to it and make of it a private property in the real sense of the word. Unfortunately, the god money reigns in the world, chaining the hearts of the people, making them slaves, obscuring

consciences to the point of driving them to accomplish horrible crimes just to possess it. If money was God, this earth would bc a very holy place. How l rejoice to see those people who are like the ocean: they receive water from all sides so as to distribute it to everyone and make everyone enjoy its benefits! Alas! the love of riches has captured not only the lay people, who seek to amass it as if this terrestrial life were eternal, but even the religious who, very often, under the pretext of increasing their works, make of the religious life a continual seeking after material goods; they do this so assiduously as to forget that their vocation is to put themselves in the Service of God, to obey the evangelical counsels of Him who commanded: "Go without purse and without wallet." Even if this phrase may be interpreted in a figurative sense, it is certainly an invitation to love and to practise poverty. By this I do not at all wish to condemn work for material goods or saving for your future (though it would be more praiseworthy to entrust oneself to Providence and to put oneself in its service) but what needs to be condemned is the fury with which people pursue material goods which, at times, even though appearing desirable for the good of others, conceals the snares of the Evil One, indulging self-love and resulting in excessive worries and excessive work, and makes one forget what I repeated over the course of My earthly life: "Only one thing is necessary: save your soul, all the rest is nothing." My children, love the poor of the whole world; and to love them means to help them. Love them by praying for them so that, finding themselves in need, they do not come to lose their faith and may appreciate God's predilection for them. And assist them in order that they may not despair, nor feel abandoned. Help them, do not be egoists. The joy of the one who gives is far superior to that of the one who receives, and is worth the et fort of trying it out each day. If you become generous, you will always find something to give and people to whom you can do good. Give of what is yours in order to make others happy. Give with love, with respect, as one who voluntarily shares with his brother or sister what God has given him. Give so that the people to whom you do good may see, through you, the Father who loves them and may bless Him. Give through love, so that the Lord may not detach you by force from your goods so as not to be obliged to condemn you. Give while you are still living, so that you may not arrive before your Supreme Judge with hands empty of Spiritual goods which you can procure for yourself by exercising charity. Remember that almsgiving covers a multitude of sins and serves to make you many friends who will pray for you. Love the poor who are My beloved, and comfort them. Make yourself useful by relieving their misery, especially by procuring some work for them. These are real aids which are not reduced to an offering but which secure for them their bread. Do not fail to give them your smile, your good word

and your kindness when you receive them, for the one who receives them receives Me who was born in a stable and lived in poverty, so that I was able to say: "Foxes have their lairs, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." Help the poor so that it may not happen to you what happened in the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man.

PERSEVERANCE IN GOOD Friday, July 5,I968

My child, the lesson you are going to begin will be a precious instruction for all those who wish to attain the goal. l said to you: "It is not he who puts his hand to the plough and then looks back who will be rewarded, but he who reaches eventually the end of his work." Perseverance in good is a gift that you must constantly ask of Me, for I assure you that without Me you can do nothing. To do good, to pray, to act in conformity with the law, are difficult things to do all of the time, and My Grace is needed to consistently accomplish them. It is the same for prayer, because prayer is a divine action, it is a conversation with Heaven and I am confirming to you that you could not even say "Jesus" without My help. It is the same for doing good, the good actions with which you should fill your life. You cannot perform them without My assistance, and you must, when accomplishing them, be united to Me so that it is I who accomplish them in you. But, above all, it is to observe My law that you need My assistance; although My yoke is sweet and My burden light, to follow Me is always to carry the Cross. My way is one of humiliation, of annihilation, of contradiction, even though it is the discovery of truth, of light and of the conquest of joy and holiness. To persevere in this way and to tread in My footsteps is difficult, and I would say nearly impossible if to assist your goodwill there were not My Grace. Perseverance in good requires a certain heroism, because life does not proceed smoothly. It is a trial, therefore it must not be lacking in obstacles. You have seen, many times, Sport and gymnastic competitions. If there were no obstacles, what merit would the winner have? The greater the difficulties and the bigger the reward, the greater the victory. lf, in the meantime, you think that the crosses and trials will go on all your lifetime, you will be tempted to retreat, to stop and even to despair. That is why you should not think too much ahead. Take life serenely, day by day. Live from day to day. How do you know it is not your last? Resolve each day to want to be good and to persevere in doing good until the evening, and do this every day. I am pleased with those who live from day to day. Cast your glance constantly at your Crucified Master and He will spur you on. Address yourself to My Mother who is the Mother of

Holy Perseverance; to Her who encountered and overcame all kinds of trials. That is why She can be for you an example and a guide in everything. Pray to Her to help you day after day to progress in virtue, to remain faithful to your resolutions, to persevere to the end, so that you may be able to say with Paul: "l have fought the good fight, I have overcome the test, I have won my reward." In this way spoke the martyrs of all times, mothers full of faith and love, confessors of faith - all these reached Heaven bearing that sign of martyrdom and winning the final victory. l assure you that you will not be deceived, for the reward will be beyond all that you expected and imagined.

Rule for life Saturday. July 6 I968

My loving child , I want to help you to make your life more orderly , so that you can better employ in favour of your neighbour and for the glory of God. Make yourself a timesheet and rules, and endeavour to remain faithful to them. But do not create the impossible for yourself, for it cannot always depend on you to follow the order of things. In this rule, distinguish between your duties towards God, your neighbour and yourself. Remember that you are in the service of God and for this reason it is from Him that all initiative must come, and it is He who must be the End of every action. He must be the Alpha and the Omega of your life. Remember that you cannot serve two masters: either you serve God or you serve the devil, there is no middle course. Remember that you cannot keep your foot in two camps and that is why your choice must be well defined. If you put yourself in the service of God, strive to know and carry out His Will as best as you can, with the same solicitude that you would use to apply yourself to the most important undertaking of your life. Many times you ask yourselves what can be the Will of God, seeing that He does not speak to you out loud. But I have already told you many times: God does not need a voice to make Himself understood. His voice is that of your conscience, and if you listen to it, you will not make a mistake. The Will of God are the duties of your position in life which keep you occupied from morning to night, as well as the Commandments of God and those of the Church. At times I express My Will be speaking directly or indirectly to some persons, but these are exceptional cases. More often, I express My desires by good inspirations. With a little bit of attention, a little bit of recollection and a little bit of goodwill, you could make of your life a harmonious whole with the Will of God, in a way as to realize what He desires of you, namely, your sanctification and eternal glory. Once you have sought Me and have found Me, there is nothing more easy than to find Me again in your neighbour, for in each of your

brothers and sisters, it is I who am present. If you see Me in them, it will be easier for you to love Me and to love everyone without distinction. If then you have to draw up a general rule that will indicate your comportment towards your neighbour, you can make a note of only one sentence: "l will love everybody because each one is Jesus." However, understand well what it means to love, for it is a word very much abused and misunderstood. Love is synonymous with sacrifice, with giving, with immolation. Love makes allowances and is inclined to forgive and forget for the one loved. That is the way you have to love, to the point of forgetting yourself. As for the duties towards yourself, devote as little time as possible to your body, for it is like a little donkey which kicks, if it is fed too well. Still, do not forget that you must treat it with respect, because it too will be glorified in Paradise whilst now it is the temple of God. As far as your soul is concerned, remember that he who works only for his own soul might lose it, and he who works only for other souls will certainly save his.

CONFIDENCE IN PROVIDENCE Tuesday, July 9.I968

My loving child, permit Me to linger on a lesson which will help you to overcome difficulties, to vanquish temptations and to walk with greater assurance on the path of perfection and doing good. You must feel Me near you, ready to help you in all your needs, nearer than any other creature, more concerned than would be the most solicitous of fathers. That is why you must open your heart to confidence and the hope. Trust the Providence of God which directs all things to their goal with infinite goodness, wisdom and justice. Let yourself be led. You are in the arms of God like a little child in the arms of its mother. The little child fears nothing, it feels secure, it does not cry, it feels protected and defended. Entrust yourself to Providence, even when it seems to you that things are going wrongly or not as you would like them to, because the Lord knows how to draw good from evil. Do not get angry, do not become agitated because of the nastiness of some people, for very often, it is simply weakness which you magnify and which, in reality, does not offend Me, because the intention is not malicious. If everything always went well, according to your wishes, how could l reward you with Heaven? What merit would you have?

KNOW HOW TO READ Wednesday. July I0.I968

My beloved child, know how to rise from earth to Heaven, from creatures to the Creator. Know how to read the wonderful book of Creation the infinite Goodness, Wisdom and Beauty of God. All that you see was created for the Glory of God and the happiness of mankind. The sun that rises each day on the good and on the wicked, and illuminates and warms the earth, making it fruitful, does it not speak to you of the infinite Goodness of God? And the marvellous order that reigns in nature, does it not tell you how perfect must be He who established the laws that govern it? The beauty and variety of flowers and plants, don't they speak to you of the incredible Beauty of God, of His Wisdom? Know how to read, nature, and from it all, know how to rise right up to God in order to thank Him, to love Him, to express to Him your gratitude, your joy. Know how to use well the gifts you receive and to value them, for they are like double-edged knives which can help or injure you. The sun can be a remedy, but it can also cause sunstroke. Man is the king of creation and everything must serve him. He must not make himself a slave of material things, or indulge himself too much in the gifts of God, or nature. The harmonious song of the birds must lead you to praise God. And does not the perfume of flowers lead you to reflect upon the perfume of goodness and virtues, so pleasing to God and to men? The works of God are marvellous and harmoniously sing His infinite Goodness, His Wisdom, His Providence. Nature's book would be marvellous to read. And yet, how many illiterates there are in this domain! Think for a moment what a perfect machine the human is! Sustained, guided, ordered by the brain and by the heart. Note the perfection of his movements, the variety of faces. There is not one person on the face of the earth who perfectly resembles another. The diversity of thoughts, of characters, of works, of capacities, of inclinations: all should contribute to give to man - even if it takes some effort -the joy to be alive, provided that what he possesses he uses for the Glory of God, for his own good and for that of his neighbour. But you see how different things are in the world. People live worldly lives, they do not look much further than themselves. They seek things for themselves, and many just look up to the Heavens to see if they can predict the weather. Know how to read, My children, know how to raise yourselves up, know how to use things for the good of all, but do not make yourselves slaves of anything.

BE CONTENT AND DON'T HAVE TOO MANY DESIRES Thursday, July II. I968

My beloved child, listen to Me. Never desire more than what is given to you. Be content with what you possess and do not be greedy for more Spiritual or material goods, since this can be to the detriment of your

happiness and of your peace. The greater and more numerous your desires, the less happy you will be. It was said to you that God loves the human of great desires and this is true, but in the sense of ideals for doing good, for he who desires to do good already will be rewarded, just as he who desires to do evil will be punished as if he had actually been evil. Great ideals are, therefore, not to be condemned, nor to be avoided, but the desire to accumulate and to possess the extraordinary, or always looking for new signs and situations; not that these are bad in themselves - they may even be good - but on account of the uneasiness they may bring into your life. l do not mean to teil you that you must bury the talents you have and live awaiting the return of the Master. I desire that you live using your talents in improving your material position in life by your labour, your common sense, thrift, foresightedness, all good things; and spiritually by the exercise of your virtuous, in spite of your falls, with courage and with confidence. In all things conduct yourself as follows: look to Heaven, expect God's help and grace, but also act conscientiously and well, and willingly, as if everything depended upon you, always serenely, carefully and with joy, without worry, even when things are not going well. Indeed, how can you judge what is for your real good when only God knows? Enjoy the little you have and be faithful to this, and much may be given to you. Do not be frightened by difficulties. Trials will not be lacking. How can you know if this metal you see shining is gold, if you do not test it by fire? And in the same way, how can you say you love the Lord if you do not prove it to Him by your confident hope in Him, even in the midst of contradictions and tribulations? Therefore, remain tranquil and live serenely, because your God watches over you. He loves you and knows how to measure your shoulders for crosses and consolations. Imitate My Holy Mother who was always serene. Do you remember your bible? Before the Angel who announced to Her My coming and Her Divine Maternity, She merely replied: "Behold the Handmaid of the Lord"; Servant and Slave, humble and obedient, She was at each instant of Her life, hiding Herself when I was carried in triumph, but accompanying Me when I was in sorrow. Imitate Her, because your serenity will give Me joy and glory in the midst of a world insatiable for all kinds of material goods for very short earthly satisfaction.

MERCY IS TO HAVE A GENEROUS HEART Friday, July I2, I968

My beloved child, know how to listen, to receive and to put into practice the suggestions that come to you from many sides, for very often, it is l who speak to you through the intermediary of these well-intentioned

people. To accede to the wishes of others is a sign of humility, of goodness, of kindness and charity. If you accept the advice of others, they in turn will accept yours and then will be established this harmony which is peace and harmony, that is to say, union of hearts. Love and harmony please God so much. Always be heart-to-heart with Him and heart-to-heart with your neighbour, ready to listen to them, to forgive them, to do them good. Be indulgent with everyone. Indulgence in this case is mercy, it is to have a generous heart, it is magnanimity. Never rake up the past, but only remember beautiful things and God's mercy on your behalf. What use is it to recall the wrong that others have done? The wrong you have done you remember with difficulty because, having confessed it, you have forgotten it; but others also have confessed it, and if God has forgotten your wrongdoing and theirs, why shouldn't you forget it too? Keep your mind occupied with useful things. Think of eternal things which await you, think of increasing your virtues. Think how you can, each day, help those around you, do them good, make them happy. Use your time well; it passes quickly and never returns.

TO CONSERVE AND INCREASE GRACE Friday, July I2, I968

My beloved child, I will speak to you of the solicitude that you must have to conserve grace in your soul and to increase it continually, by avoiding sin and any imperfection which diminishes it in you, for it is through its intermediary that you please God. The more the grace of God abounds in you, the more you attract the Heart of God who loves you with an infinite love, to the extent of forcing Him to grant your desires as if they were commands. Fear sin, My child, under whatever form it presents itself to you, and fight it, by overcoming yourself, your inclinations and the Evil One, who continually makes attempts on your Spiritual life, it being his task and desire to make you fall. Recommend yourself constantly to the Mother of Divine Grace so that She may assist you in this work of purification, preservation and improvement, and never doubt its success. Do not propose too many things, but be faithful to what you decide. Be simple and exemplary in your life, so that all may imitate you. Give witness to Me wherever you are, in such a way that in imitating you, it is Me whom they Imitate also, Me whose copy you must be.

TO GET RID OF IDOLS Saturday. July I3, I968

If you wish to please God, get rid of every idol in your heart. Make Me reign in your mind, turn your thoughts to Me. Make Me reign in your heart by directing your affections to Me. Make Me reign in your life by offering Me your works. Never divert your mind from the ultimate goal towards which you must strive: to save your soul and to sanctify yourself. Always remember that you will not be able to save yourself by yourself, but only with the help of God. Remember that you must not only save yourself, but give a hand to save everyone in the whole world, to all of humanity. Remember that all that diverts you from that goal is evil. l want to speak to you of idols which you think have vanished by now and with which, on the contrary, the earth is filled; not only in other countries where there is still paganism and idolatry, but even very dose to you and within you. Many make an idol of their own bodies, which they prefer to God. They surround it with care, with ornament, attention and subtle delicacies, making it, a veritable object of adoration. If they did this to honour it as the temple of the Holy Spirit, it would be understandable, but it is done only so that it may become an object of attraction. They give a greater value to the body than the soul. The body is not an end in itself, but only a means of saving the soul. Such idols are also the many profound friendships which do not uplift because it is not God who unites their hearts. Idols again, those attachments to things, even futile, to which you accord a greater value. l entreat you, detach your heart from what distracts you from Me, for l alone want your true good. I love you infinitely and I desire your salvation. Destroy, even at the cost of making your heart bleed, everything that keeps you bound to the earth. Look above. I will give you wings so as to be able to fly, free of all hindrances. Use everything as a gift and as a means. Love everyone with a sincere love, love everyone in Me and with Me, until the day when unity will be complete and eternal, in the Beatific Vision of God.

THE VALUE OF SUFFERING Monday, July I5, I968

My child, if you knew the value of suffering, you would ask Me for it as you ask Me for daily bread. The Saints used to tell Me that they preferred it to the most intense joy because through offering it up they know how much they were helping sinners. Imitate them, My child; accept suffering as a gift no matter from which direction it comes, and offer it to Me with My sufferings as a true gift which you can make to God, for sinners. To suffer is to love.

TAKE LIFE AS IT IS Tuesday, July I6, I968

My beloved child, take life as it is, with its deceptions, its contradictions, its pains. You cannot alter the course of the stars, and you cannot change events that accompany an existence. Everything contributes to good, even that which to you is unexplainable. Keep calm, be serene and in peace. Don't you see how men change and how the heart changes? You yourself, aren't you aware of the instability of your sentiments? Worries, obligations of work, occurrence of new events, how many things change? That's how it is for all humanity. Do you wish to find a faithful heart? Seek the Heart of God. Only He is unchanging. That is why you must resign yourself to seeing yourself forgotten, dismissed, betrayed, repudiated. Not that they do well, those who accomplish these actions of forgetting, betraying, abandoning, etc. ... ; but so that you may, just the same, keep your peace, be resigned to these things, attributing them not to wickedness or to incomprehension but to the weakness of human nature which does not know how to remain content. Always pray for everyone and, above all, forgive; do not wish evil to anyone. Know how to wait. If you knew how to overcome yourself and to elevate yourself by detaching your heart more and more from creatures, a great peace will come to you, and you will no longer feel the need of anything. When you are in Heaven, those affections you cultivated and desired, perhaps in vain, will be returned, purified and sanctified. Then your heart, satiated with the love of God, will enjoy in Him also those affections which God had taken away from you because they were not necessary or perhaps were dangerous for you. Thank God, My child, who, in His Divine Wisdom, disposes all things for your greater good. Recommend yourself ceaselessly to the Mother of Divine Love, so that She may purify your affections and leave you solely those which elevate you and lead you to do good. Continually recommend to Me your heart, My child, offer it to Me as a gift, so that it may belong to Me forever.

BECOME HUMBLE

My beloved child, become always more humble so as to be pleasing to My heart. Ask Me each day for the virtue of humility, because I grant it to those who ask Me for it with insistence. Imitate Me, My child: I have given you an example of it by a life made up wholly of humility and humiliations. Very often, you believe you possess the virtue of humility because you know how to show yourselves humble in determined circumstances, but humility is quite different. Low esteem of self and esteem of neighbour is sometimes only apparent. It is very easy to say to the Lord that one is nothing and capable of nothing, that one is only misery and sin, as long as no one else confirms these truths to you. But if

a superior or an equal or, what's worse, an inferior, dares to say what you yourselves say of yourselves, how it changes things! What sulking, what sensitivity, what discord is caused by this bit of humility! My dear children, the door of Paradise is very narrow and only little ones can enter. Remember the Pharisee and the Publican in the Gospel? Better a humble and repentant sinner than a proud just person, for justice and saintliness are inconsistent with pride or, to say it better, there are no proud saints. Humility is the base of sanctity, it is its triumph. If you wish you make yourself holy, make yourself little. Imitate My Holy Mother who wished to be always and only the Servant of the Lord. She was known as the Spouse of the carpenter, and the Mother of an evildoer who, after having stirred up the people, died between two thieves on a Cross. And yet, She had plenty to glorify Herself, She who was the Mother of God. Humility is the virtue which will make you pleasing to God and to men, and which will allow you to do them good in the line of your mission and in view of eternal life.

BEAR WITNESS TO JESUS Friday. July I9, I968

My child, bear witness to Me on earth if you want that I present you one day to the Father as My faithful copy. Bear witness to Me by living integrally My Gospel in your life. Reproduce Me in My life of union with the Father and in the exercise of Charity, fruit of the Holy Spirit. Accomplish the Works of Mercy which I so much recommend to you and taught you. Remember that the disciples who travelled with Me on the Road leading to Emmaus recognised Me at the breaking of the bread. Likewise your neighbour will recognise you for My disciple if your works are comparable to Mine. "It is not he who says 'Lord, Lord', but he who accomplishes the works of the Father by doing His Will that will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven."

I AM IN YOU Saturday, July 20,1968

My child, I am in you and with you. I am going to reveal to you the secrets of My Heart. I am going to make known to you My infinite Goodness, My infinite Wisdom, My Mercy and My infinite Love. Place your head upon My Heart, like John, and listen to its beatings. I will make you understand My desires, and will give you the strength to realise them. My thoughts are thoughts of peace and of charity, they embrace the whole world. You live in My thoughts from all eternity. Since always I love you, and I could not but love you, for the soul which I have given

you is My divine breath. You are made in My Image and Likeness. You are Mine by right: I have created and redeemed you. You shall be Mine forever. l want you to be happy. Abandon yourself in My arms. Entrust your- self to Me. Repose upon My Heart. Love Me, I do not ask anything else from you. Your love is the best reward you can give Mine. Endeavour to Imitate Me, but do not presume upon yourself, because your weakness is great and only with My help will you be able to succeed in doing something. Still, do not lose courage, be confident. If you fall, it is I who picks you up; your look of imploring mercy is enough for Me, an act of contrition, a confession well made, and you become again more radiant than before, and I love you as before. 0 My child, if everyone knew Me, how they would love Me! Help Me, My child! By sanctifying yourself, you help everyone. Holiness edifies, enthuses, conquers! Be holy. You have only to follow Me, and we shall transform the world.

OVERCOME YOURSELF Sunday, July 21, 1968

My child, every struggle to overcome yourself makes you stronger. Life is a battle from which no one can exempt himself. Only the strong ones win. l told you that I had come to bring war. But you must understand Me: not a war fought with arms. It is the Evil One, it is human wickedness and egoism that want human conflict and I permit it very often as a chastisement. The war that I came to bring into the world is the one against wrongful passions, against evil, against the Devil and his world. Firstly, then, you must know how to overcome yourself, because by this struggle, you strengthen your will, in a way as to be able to triumph over other enemies. The first battle is interior, the others exterior. The Evil One, however, works on your thoughts, your sentiments, your affections. He attacks your weak points. He knows you to perfection. Remain very attentive so as not to become victim of any trap. Be vigilant in order to discern if what is taking place within you is the Will of God or the work of the Enemy. Always be ready to fight, even if it is hard. l am at your side and I fight with you. Invoke the Queen of Victories, and do not be afraid.

TWO THINGS NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN Monday. July 22,1968

My beloved child, there are two things you must never forget: your sins and My Infinite Divine Mercy. The thought of your weakness, of your misery and of your falls, must keep you in humility and in fear of yourself, whilst the thought of My Mercy must gives you wings to rise

and to invoke Me. The low esteem of yourself which comes from the experience of numerous falls must not dishearten you. The more you feel little and weak, the more do I stoop down to you. My Love is infinitely compassionate and just as you would not remain indifferent before a child entreating your assistance, so would l, with a tenderness infinitely superior to yours, bend down towards the one who, having sinned, humbles himself, makes himself little, makes himself a child and implores pity, mercy and help. Remember this: as great as are the wickedness and malice of men, they will never be as great as My Goodness and My Mercy. They are like a sea whose shore you cannot see, so great is its immensity. Always remember your sins so as to humble yourself, remember My Mercy in order to elevate yourself. Sorrow for your sins keeps you in a state of preparation for death, which could come upon you from one moment to the next. Death will come as a thief. It does not announce itself. Contrition purifies you and confidence in My pardon must fill you With joy and spur you to scale the heights, to grow in gratitude and in Love. The thought of your falls must make you attentive and vigilant so as not to relapse, and understanding of others who fall, not in order to let the evil go by unnoticed, without condemning it, but in order to go towards him who is at fault and help him to pick himself up. Be not, My children, one of those who constantly lament the evil in the world and by speaking of it, only spread it. Leave it to the Lord to see the evil. You speak of goodness, of love, of beautiful things, of everything that edifies and constructs. Sin destroys, Love builds. Spread Love: it is useful to the individual and to society, to earthly life and to eternal life.

LOVE RECOLLECTION Tuesday, July 23.1968

My beloved child, love silence and recollection because you will never be able to hear Me in the midst of continuous noise. Still, know how to distinguish. It is not exterior noises which muffle My Voice, but those which are within you. Try to maintain an interior silence, even in the midst of your occupation which you can continually transform into prayer. Ask Me to inspire your conversations and your talks, so that words may always be able to do good and bring souls closer to Me. At certain moments of the day arouse and renew your union with Me. Devote to Me a part of your time which I give to you. Give Me the means to make you hear My Voice, put yourself in My Presence, listen to Me, let your heart speak. The meeting of two loving hearts is so beautiful! Look, like this: I await you a few minutes before vocal prayer ,so that you may collect your thoughts, in order that I may unite Myself to you so that

you may see where you are spiritually. If you feel miserable, if there has been a fall, you will ask My pardon, and then ... forward, with courage. The navigator controls the compass, the traveller consults the geographical map. No one begins a trip without consulting the guide, without deciding what there is to do. In the Spiritual life, you cannot advance by chance. l am your guide. Consult Me, question Me. In silence and recollection, make your decisions. Call Me and I will come. I shall speak to you, I shall be your Light and your Guide. Invoke My Mother who is called Star of the Sea. "The life of man is like that of the sea, sometimes tranquil, sometimes stormy. If you have Mary with you, you will fear for nothing. Is a little child afraid in the arms of its mother? Act, then, as I tell you and you will be content.

PREPARE ONESELF FOR COMMUNION Thursday, July 25,1968

My beloved child, the most solemn act that you can accomplish during the day is the one of receiving Me in Holy Communion. It is I your God, your Creator, your King, your Master, your Spouse, your Friend, who comes to take His dwelling and possession of your soul and of your heart. l would like that, for this very important act which could be decisive in your life, you prepare yourself in the proper way. lt is true, an entire existence would not suffice to prepare oneself to receive Me worthily. And it is also true that having put this Divine Sacrament under the species of bread and having invited everyone to partake of it very often, I gave the means of having towards this nourishment of supernatural substance, a familiarity and a very strong attraction. This does not prevent Me from suffering, in seeing not only die wicked who scorn such a gift and trample upon it, but also My friends who approach Me without recollection, without love, and without reflection, as if they were doing the most simple and the most insignificant thing in the world. Remember, My children, that whosoever receives unworthily My Body and My Blood, receives his own condemnation, and whosoever does not receive this Holy Sacrament with proper dispositions, will not be able to obtain the Spiritual benefits for which I instituted the Holy Eucharist. And now I will explain: It is not so much the preparation of words that I desire, but the interior concentration which makes you aware of a solemn act which you are about to accomplish, one which makes you acknowledge the grandeur of this gift and your unworthiness, and which leads you to reciprocate with love the greatest gift of love the Son of God has made to you by giving Himself wholly to you. A good preparation is the guarantee of abundant fruit. You certainly will not be able to improvise in the few minutes that precede this solemn act of Communion, but by desire, you

will be able to long for My coming to you from the moment of your first awakening in the morning. If you knew how much I desire to meet with you, to come into your heart, to dwell within you! By desire, you can already receive Me spiritually and prepare your soul for the Sacramental meeting. Pray to My sweetest Mother to help you to prepare well for the reception of Her bread, which is Her flesh which She gave to Me and which l give to you as a pledge of holiness and eternal life.

OBSERVE THE LAW Friday, July 26,

My beloved child, listen to Me, I entreat you. Very rare are those who listen to Me. Each one wants to think and act as he believes and as he wants, and because of this the world is going to ruin. My laws are there, but who observes them? My counsels are there, but who accepts them? In the name of liberty, they dispense themselves from observing the law whilst true liberty consists precisely in observing it. The law is the safeguard of order, and he who observes it is free. Woe to you were there not laws which regulate the universe, for there would be chaos! Woe to the man were he not guided by precise natural laws. But what is good for the world and for the individual on the material plane is good also on the Spiritual one. There are set laws that govern the Spiritual life, which conduct and guide the soul from the moment it comes to animate the body right up to the moment when, temporarily, it will abandon it to take possession of it again for eternal life. The physical and natural laws which regulate the universe maintain order. Those which rule human nature are destined to give, to conserve, and to sustain human life. The laws that rule the life of the spirit guide men to perfection, to holiness, to eternal life. If everyone observed the law, humanity would enjoy much peace, happiness and joy. Examine yourself frequently in this sense. Ask yourself if you are keeping the laws that your nature, God and the Church propose to you. Rectify what is good to rectify. Remember that it is good to respect the needs of the body and those of the soul, always in conformity with the law of God. Disobedience to the law produces sin which makes humanity its slave. Obedience to the law leads to perfection and makes the soul free and very dear to God. Remember that my parents have been models of obedience to the law. Was I not born in the grotto of Bethlehem through an act of their splendid obedience? And haven't I been obedient to the laws of My childhood, even whilst being dispensed of these laws inasmuch as I was God? Do the same, you also. Let the law be the precise rule of your life, knowing how to give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's,

JOY IN LIFE Sunday, July 28,1968

My beloved child, I wish to speak to you of the necessity of joy in life in order to make your fatigue lighter, sacrifice more dear, suffering more precious, charity more pleasing, humility more real, prayer more sweet, simplicity more perfect, religion more loved, truth more desired. I should explain to you each point of these affirmations and you would see the truth of My words. For the moment, I shall limit Myself to telling you to love joy to the extent of asking Me for it each day as a gift. True joy is the consequence of Grace dwelling in the soul. Just as you ask Me to withdraw sin from you and the sadness which ensues from it, so you must ask Me for Grace and its most beautiful fruit: joy. It is joy which makes you pleasing to God in the practice of virtue and in the gift which you give to Him of the best of yourself. "God loves a cheerful giver." It is joy that makes you agreeable to men, particularly to your closest relations, to whom you demonstrate that he who lives dose to the Lord is happy, even in this life, though being in the midst of the greatest tribulations. Your serenity will be very pleasing, admired and imitated. People will seek out the source of your joy and they will understand that, far from God, there can be neither peace nor serenity. To make religion loved is the duty of every Christian. But how will one be able to love it if those who practise it and call themselves true Christians do not tolerate the smallest crosses without making them an endless complaint? If they give themselves the air of a victim and think that those who live beside them are all executioners, they will find it difficult to make themselves loved by their neighbours. Be serene, be full of joy, and spread every where serenity and peace. A serene face denotes a spirit full of goodness, and because of this is more approachable. Sullenness, sadness, complaints, criticisms, the fact of seeing an offence in everything, always and everywhere, is of no use to anyone and creates a heavy and insupportable atmosphere. Purify the air, My children, open up your Spiritual Windows. Look above, rejoice, for Heaven awaits you, the things of earth pass. Rejoice, for l, the Son of God, am always beside you to share you pain, to help you carry your crosses and to give you much joy, that which the Angels announced to the shepherds and to men of goodwill, that which l gave to My Apostles after My Resurrection, the joy that is the fruit of the Holy Spirit who dwells in souls. Rejoice, therefore, I repeat it to you again, rejoice and may your joy be full because the Lord, Emmanuel, dwells with you and among you.

YOUR FUTURE Thursday, August l, 1968

I could show you in part what is the Heavenly vision, but not completely, for your body would not bear the grandeur of what your Father has prepared. And even though the happiness of Heaven were shown to you, it would be incomplete, God being the Supreme Joy whose vision your eyes would not endure. Peter, James and John who witnessed My transfiguration on Mount Tabor had a pale idea of Heaven, enough not to want to interrupt this celestial vision and this divine colloquy. Paul savoured in part the joy that is enjoyed up there, joy which he did not know how to describe. l assure you, therefore, that no one, while alive on this earth, will be able to see in their full reality, the marvellous things prepared by the Father for His elect. Know that in God, you will possess all good and intense happiness, God Himself being the Supreme Good and Supreme Happiness. Think often, then, about your destination and do not forget that from it commences eternity. Immeasurable glory and joy deserve a maximum effort on your part. What does it matter that for a few years, those you spend here on earth, if you have to suffer? What does it matter if the people of this world do not understand you, when you yourself know that each tear will be counted, each pain rewarded with interest by God. When the world, your little world, does not understand you, think that a God loves you, understands you, respects your liberty, enlightens your spirit, instructs you and wants you to be happy with Him forever.

THIRST FOR YOUR LOVE Friday. August 2,1968

My child, predispose your soul to receive My graces, for on the manner in which you receive them and correspond with them depends your sanctification. Your correspondence compels Me to increase the dose. If you thirst for Me, come and drink. I shall be happy to quench your thirst. To him who desires Me, I give Myself with the effusiveness of a father, a spouse, a brother, a friend, who gives everything and asks for nothing but love. l Myself thirst for love. Near the well of Jacob I asked the Samaritan for a drink, and in her, all the Samaritans of the world. From the sinner that she was, I made her an apostle. We exchanged water which quenched our thirst: she gave Me her soul, her sins, and her love; I gave her My grace and the desire for the apostolate. From the height of the Cross, I was thirsty, and this thirst endures through the centuries. I address Myself to all men and of all of them I ask to quench My thirst. It is a thirst which will be extinguished only at the end of time when Redemption will be completed and the Celestial Jerusalem will be filled. But as long as there is a human on the earth, l, his God, will thirst for his soul, for his love and for his salvation. And you, do you thirst for Me? l said unto you: "Blessed

are they who thirst for justice." I am the Just One and the Author of Justice. l said unto you: "Blessed are the pure. " I am Purity personified. l said unto you: "Blessed are the peacemakers." I am He who gives peace. l said unto you: "Blessed are they who mourn," because in My Heart, all will find comfort and help. Come, come all to Me. I will extinguish your thirst for worldly things, l will help you to elevate yourselves as far as Heaven. I will tell you how sweet it is to serve the Lord. Come, give Me your love! ... I am a beggar of love! He who loves Me lives in Me, and for Me, he no longer feels the weight of the Cross. He who loves Me obeys My law which is no longer a yoke. He who loves Me follows Me even to Calvary, dies with Me in order to rise again with Me. Love Me, My dear children, I do not ask you for anything else.

COME CLOSER TO ME Saturday, August 3,1968

My beloved child, come always closer to Me, with confidence and love, but also with fear and trembling, for I am your God. lf you knew the grandeur, the might, the wisdom of God, you would remain filled with a marvellous amazement. You will not be able to under-stand this so long as you are trapped in the body. Only with Spiritual eyes, the eyes of your soul, will it be given to you to understand many things which now are completely unknown to you, or barely outlined. While awaiting that day when, if you deserve Heaven, you will see God, take pains, with My help, to know Him in all His grandeur and His goodness in order to love Him always more and more. Desire and love everything that speaks to you of God, but above all, entrust yourself to My Mother, Seat of Wisdom, so that She may instruct you and reveal to you My secrets. With Her help, you will be able to increase your Spiritual stature until you attain My stature of the Son of Man. l want to explain to you what I mean: you will rejoin Me in the practice of virtues which I practised while on earth as man, similar to you in everything except sin. At each moment of your life, you can ask yourself and know with certitude if what you are doing just then is good or bad, whether I Myself, in your place, would accomplish the same action, in the same way. Often ask yourself, therefore, during the day: "Would Jesus act thus, would He speak this way, would He love like this, would He speak so?" If the reply were always in the affirmative, how much joy you would give Me and with what tranquillity you would be able to call yourself a true Christian, My true disciple. Try, it is not difficult, and one day when presenting yourself before My Father in Heaven, you will be able to say to Him in all sincerity: "l am Your Son, another Jesus Christ," and He will welcome you into eternal glory.

THE WORST SINS Sunday, August 4,1968

My child, I wish to speak to you about two very grave sins which people commit in the world, which so much afflict My Heart: slander and scandal. Both are like homicides. The first kills honour, the second innocence, the soul of a person, in the sense that it leads one to sin and to evil. Now, I really would like to have all My children understand the seriousness of slander which is propagated so easily and which causes so much harm to families, as well as to individuals and to society. lt is like a poison which enters without anyone knowing it and poisons the mass. It is like a venomous serum which the enemy injects into the life of a person while asleep. It is a shot in the back, a betrayal. Sometimes, you think you can trust a friendly person and they then take advantage of confidence in your secrets, perhaps add to them their own versions, and then spread untrue information. Not that they divulge them openly in public, but from mouth to ear, betraying your trust and secret. Bad news picked up and spread always changes form and substance; it becomes like a drop of oil poured into water. I remind you, My children, that he who diffuses evil becomes guilty of it. It is for this reason that I told you that, among Christians, one ought not even to mention evil, because it is not advantageous to anyone. He who slanders rejoices in the evil and spreads it with a satanic joy under the appearance of suffering from it and wanting to put an end to it. lt is a sin that is committed with much ease and thoughtlessness and of which you accuse yourselves in confession with little sincerity; that is why, most of the time, it is not forgiven. lt is a sin which is hard to forgive, since he who steals obtains pardon only after restoring the theft. He who steals the good reputation of a neighbour cannot be pardoned if he does not retrace the path covered by the slander, reinstating the honour taken away from that person; that priest, that friend, or even that unknown person. You yourselves see how difficult it is to carry out this reparation and, consequently, how difficult it is to obtain pardon. I do not wish to frighten you with the thought of eternal chastisements, but I assure you that a terrible punishment will strike the tongue of slanderers, even in Purgatory; a punishment such that, were My children to see it, even from a distance in this life, some would be so terror-stricken that they would renounce the gift of Speech, rather than use their tongue to slander. My children, I would like that a holy fear of this sin make you more vigilant so as not to have to repent bitterly when it is too late. He who has knowledge of a wrongdoing or of an evil may warn the interested person, but he must be certain that it is truly a wrongdoing because, at times, even what has the appearance of evil may

not be so in reality, because the intention of the person who did it was not bad. It is difficult for you to read the soul, it is impossible to judge intentions. As for the one who, knowing the evil committed by others, spreads it, he also commits sin, more or less as serious as the gravity of the news he is spreading. The sin is just as serious even if what he is saying is true. Love sincerity and prudence and it will not be easy for you to slander. How many marvellous works collapse because of evil tongues! How many families ruined! How many ardent and well-meaning souls lose courage! Calumny is all the more wicked when it comes from the heart and lips of My favourite children. Those who receive Me often, who frequent the Church, they pass with great ease from gossip to calumny. Sometimes this proceeds from envy, from pride. At times it is the little rivalries, even in doing good, which make you satanic. It is envy of the grace received by others which makes you capable of revealing even what is not there, and to spread evil which does not exist. My children, cry over such a great sin which sows death in the honour of the persons who are around you, unknown to them, and make a solemn promise never again to stain yourselves with this sin so difficult to repair. All of you form with Me a single body, My Mystical Body. He who slanders tears to pieces My Body, snatches My members, makes Me suffer, and it is an evil which has repercussions in the whole Church. My children, fear and tremble.

SCANDAL Monday, August 5,1968

l shall speak to you of scandal which I said was also a veritable homicide, even if invisible to the eyes of the body. , l said to you in the Gospel: "Woe to those through whom scandal comes! It would be better for them if they were to put a millstone around their neck and throw themselves in the sea, rather than provoke scandal." And I will explain: if a person throws himself into the sea, he brings harm only to himself, but he who scandalises, besides ruining himself, brings min also to others and as to how many others, one cannot determine their number. Observe what happens when you throw a pebble into the water: an indeterminate number of concentric circles are formed which move further and further away into the distance. That ´s how it is with sin. It has a repercussion upon the whole world and particularly upon My Mystical Body, the Church, so that you rightly say that he who sins does harm to his brothers just as to himself, even though the sin is unknown to them. This is what happens through each sin in general, but in a special way through that of scandal. You understand immediately that if the reward in Heaven is based on charity exercised on behalf of one's neighbour, likewise the

punishment will be severe for him who injures his neighbour, especially if this damage concerns not so much the body but souls. l came into the world, lived and died on the Cross to save souls. He who scandalises ruins the work of Redemption, makes it worthless, works against it. From the foregoing, you can understand the gravity of this fault. I would renew My Passion and Death just to save one soul, and he who scandalises destroys souls belonging to Me and for whose happiness I gave My life. Do you think there can be greater malice than this? Now I am going to tell you how one scandalises. All that is committed in the world that can lead others to evil, is a scandal: destructive words and actions which leave an Impression in the mind and heart of another and which lead others to follow the example. The work of him who scandalises is worse than that of the demon by whom it is supported and organised. Now, I do not wish to make you think of the big scandals that happen in the world, but I want to make you enter for a moment into yourself and make you reflect on your conduct in order to try to get rid of everything that is not edifying for your neighbour. Thoughts, words, actions and omissions will be matters for judgement before My tribunal, putting everything equally in connection with your neighbour. Therefore, begin right now to remove from your life all that is not edifying. Watch over your words, your actions, your conduct. Let everything in you be light, everything tend towards doing good. A soul never comes alone to Heaven but bring with them, each in their appointed hour, the souls they have helped to save. For example influences. In this way, fight the scandal that many give, the destruction they sow, opposing them with good example. Be an instrument of salvation and life of the soul where others sow death of the soul. Collaborate with Me, repair, assist Me. Always remember that he who saves a soul, predestines his own.

R U L E OF LIFE Tuesday, August 6,1968

My child, INVOKE CONSTANTLY THE ASSISTANCE OF GOD, if you wish to vanquish and overcome all the difficulties which present themselves to you and which come between Him and you. Always direct to Him your actions, your thoughts, your words, so that all is in conformity with His Holy Will. WATCH your mind, your heart, your tongue, so that nothing takes place in you that is not pleasing to God. SANCTIFY YOU LIFE, spending it all for the glory of God and for the good of your neighbour, not wasting even a moment of this precious money which is time, destined to buy your eternal Life.

RESPECT EVERYONE. Judge no one, for not one of you is authorised to judge the others, if you want Him who must judge you on the last day to be indulgent towards you. BE JUST WITH EVERYONE by giving each one what is his due. I love rectitude and justice, gifts which make you dear to God and to men. BE GENEROUS IN SACRIFICING YOURSELF, be it in those daily sacrifices which accompany every existence, or on those occasions in your life when the Lord knocks on the door of your house, to ask you to collaborate with Him through your Cross and your passion. ENTRUST YOURSELF TO THE LORD YOUR GOD, because He watches over you. He loves you and wants you happy, and you have only to abandon yourself in His arms like a little child and let yourself be led by Him. ACCOMPLISH YOUR DAILY DUTIES with joy, fidelity, exactitude and love, uniting yourself to Me who dwells continually in you. Here, briefly, is what must be your programme of life and the matter for your examination of conscience. If you do as I have told you, you will simplify your problems, your life will be simple and you will be a good example for all and you will reach sanctity so much desired and commanded by God. Remember the commandment I addressed to all My disciples and, in them, to all who would love Me and follow Me: "Be holy as your Father who is in Heaven."

RECOVER YOUR COURAGE Monday, August 12,1968

My child, love and desire perfection. Do everything possible to attain it, but remember that you will have to strive hard but always you will find something to improve. Do not get discouraged when it seems to you that you have come a long way and find you are starting again to fall as at the beginning of your road. Recover your courage, invoke My help and proceed with serenity, for l am Perfection in the absolute sense. On this earth, strive as you may, you will never attain it in its plenitude, but you must aim at it, for it is a commandment: "Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect." Therefore, take care always to perform your actions in the best way, always in conformity with your duty and the ones most pleasing to Me. Do well whatever you are doing, with much attention and with great love. With these requisites, accompanied by the aid of My grace, you will make of all the moments of your life a great conquest for eternity. Renounce your will which would choose the easy life, and wants selfishly to possess everything. Do not forget that life is a hard and constant battle and that, for this reason, cannot and must not be too peaceful. lf you have some fervent and tranquil days, thank the Lord and,

on such days, prepare yourself for new assaults, for how can you win a victory if you have not fought a battle? Provide yourself with arms, indispensable in every battle: these are prayer and mortification. Nourish yourself continually with My Bread, which is the Bread of life. Always keep your gaze fixed on this goal, guarding yourself from your enemies: the world, your passions and the demon. Remember that the rules of conduct in the world today are totally different from mine. That is why you should go against the current. You will encounter scorn, incomprehension and reproach. lf you wish to serve God, you will not be able to keep your foot in two camps, and serve at the same time God and the world. The world will tell you to seek only your interest, your joy in life. I tell you to think always of your neighbour, to accept suffering and to keep your mind on eternal life. Your passions will make themselves felt and will demand to be satisfied, but I urge you to fight so as to stifle their continuous hunger. - If you feel the desire to occupy the first place, I will urge you to take the last. - If you are inclined to laziness, I will rouse you and you will endeavour to do always more and always better. - If discouragement assails you, invoke Him who can help you. Renew your faith and keep going, for discouragement proceeds from self love and lack of faith. Fear the Evil One, for he presents himself to you under different forms and he tempts you there where he knows you will fall. However, do not believe that his strength is superior to God's, neither is it equal. He can act upon you if you open the way for him; but if you are with God, who can be against you? Love My Mother much; She is the Queen of Victories. He who entrusts himself to Her does not perish. To love Her means to imitate Her, to understand Her and to make Her known and loved. If you do what I tell you, you will be happy, you will climb very high. The Lord will be pleased with you, because you will have done all that depended upon you, and you will reach Heaven, the only goal towards which you must aspire.

DIVINE PROVIDENCE Tuesday, August 13,1968

l now speak to you about a very important problem, one in which few men really believe even if they declare themselves perfect and practising Christians. l will speak to you of Divine Providence which, after having created the world and the laws that govern it, directs all things with wisdom and goodness so as to bring all men to salvation. God is Love, He is Goodness, He is Providence, and He cannot abandon His creatures to themselves. He knows and understands man perfect- ly. He has endowed him with a soul and a body and, although He has given the soul superior qualities which place it in the uppermost scale, He knows also

that the body has needs which man cannot ignore. He must eat, rest, work. He must take care of his body because life is a gift of God, a gift for which each one must render an account. Man must bear in mind the mission entrusted to him. Each creature that comes on the earth has a particular task to accomplish, more or less important. To the accomplishment of this mission, both body and soul contribute. lf man has confidence in God and with His aid discovers what his vocation is, he must abandon himself in the arms of the Lord and let himself be guided by putting his body and soul in God's service. To serve God means to act always in His presence, that is, as if you saw Him at your side; and since you know that you will have to render an account of each work, act and thought, see to it that you act in the best way. To serve God is to observe His law, His Commandments and those imposed upon you by the Church. To serve God also means to love Him, because the act of serving must come from the heart; for you are not forced, but free to serve Him, even though your eternal life depends on the manner in which you love and serve Him. Having done these things - and I Myself help you to accomplish them - the rest I do and, if you trust Me, you will see that I shall perform miracles to help you. Everything depends on faith. Do you wish to see miracles of Providence in your house? Believe in Me, rely upon Me. I know that many, while knowing that it is I who govern the world, act as if they themselves must think of everything, and it is for this reason that there are so many failures in every sphere! You are short sighted, you do not see further than the end of your nose, so how can you make so many provisions? Do you recall, in the Gospel, the man who, having Filled his granaries and thinking of building new ones, heard himself unexpectedly called for the rendering of aecounts"; lt is like that, My children; you cannot foresee, you must not accumulate. Foresight is good when it is not greed. Economy is good when it is not avarice. Never forget, one day is sufficient to destroy what you have amassed for many years. Live relying upon the Lord who thinks of the fish, the birds, the lilies of the fields, and do not fear to lack the necessities of life. God does not abandon the one who relies on Him. There where water is lacking. He makes it gush from a rock. There where bread is lacking, He multiplies it. There where wine is lacking, he obtains it from water. You will tell Me these miracles happened once, but that they do not occur now. And I say to you that if you have faith, they will happen again. Besides, try to look into your life. How many times have your found yourself in particular need from which you have been freed unexpectedly? From how many dangers have you been suddenly saved? How many times in your affairs, even material, have you been guided to accomplish specific actions which you have called providential? You have not seen the hand of God who directed your Steps; nevertheless, that is what happens. My children,

know that the Lord is never inactive on your behalf. Know that no mother in the world shows as much concern as God for His child. Trust Him, My children, and put yourselves in the condition of being his favourite ones. Purify your souls. Live in the state of grace. The real evil in the world is sin. All the rest do not call evil, call it a trial. It is a trial more or less lengthy, but one which is always a gesture of love on the part of God, who wishes to draw forth from it a marvellous recompense and a great joy.

Wednesday, August 14,1968 My beloved child, expose your soul to the Divine Sun, so that I may enlighten it and make it fruitful with light and with warmth. You will never be able to measure how much I love you, nor to what extent I desire to be loved in return. You write and you read My words; l make them penetrate your mind and your heart and I help you to put them into practice. It is I who do everything; your "yes" suffices for Me, your desire to do good, your will, and then I accomplish the rest. The life of a Christian is so simple ... there is no need for many thoughts, only one is sufficient: GOD. There is no need for so many worries but those to accomplish one's duty, one's mission. I help you in everything, I smooth the way for you. lf it is necessary, I carry you in My arms, I sacrifice Myself continually for you. l offer to the Father My Blood, My love, My death, and I speak to Him of you. I send you My Spirit, Who is also the Father's, so that He may kindle and enlighten you. l send you My Mother, so as to assist you and to guide you in every necessity. Oh, My Mother! ... If you only knew what She does for each creature ... what she does for you ... No mother is so considerate, active and wise. In Heaven you will be able to see Her Power, Her goodness. Her wisdom. How many times does She anticipate your needs, reward you for the small considerations you make on her behalf! She even reprimands you for some fault. And She does it with so much charity, with so much affectionate tactfulness, that you do not even notice it, because She respects your liberty, your way of interpreting things ... She comes dose to you and bears everything. She weeps if anyone offends Her Jesus and She repairs, She repairs. Oh, My child, I could not give you a greater gift! I could not give you a more beautiful and better mother! Therefore, be generous and be truly Her child. She deserves it. Remember that although She loved Me infinitely, She did not dissuade me from giving My Life for you and for all men, each one in particular.

PROMISE TO PRIESTS She knew My Death would be your salvation; that is why She accepted to have Her Heart transfixed. She, the most innocent and the tenderest of

mothers, accepted to feel Me wrenched from Her Heart, so that My death might be the Life for all men. That is how She co-operated in your redemption. Obey this incomparable Mother. She is speaking again and not only in Her apparitions which are taking place on earth in many places, but She also speaks to your Heart through Her images, through the intermediary of Her Ministers who love Her the most, who spread Her devotion, who speak of Her and make Her loved. She is speaking through the intermediary of the Head of the Church who, in accordance with My Will, made Her its Mother. I assure you that just as the Apostles drew from Her words and Her teachings the light and grace to know the Divine Mysteries and to diffuse them, so the Priests who have recourse to her, Seat of Wisdom (and I am the Incarnate Wisdom who dwells in Her) and Spouse of the Holy Spirit, will receive from Her special gifts. l. They will know how to counsel the youth and will arouse desire for perfection so that many religious vocations will be due to the efficacy of their words 2. In particular, they will know how to comfort the sick, who will receive the Holy Sacraments voluntarily and will be prepared to meet Me through the intermediary of My Mother. 3. They will have great zeal and great efficacy of word in their preaching. 4. They will have a special glory in Heaven. 5. Priests, devotees of the Virgin, will hardly be wanting in chastity, because My Mother will be at their side and will defend them in dangers of soul and body. Make known these My promises to Priests and assist them in their mission. My child, do not worry about anything that may befall you in this life. The only thing that must frighten you is this: that you should be lacking in love towards My Mother. As at daybreak you think that the sun is coming and from it you foresee whether the day will be bright or cloudy, so if you discern in a soul true devotion to Mary, you can be tranquil: in that soul is the Sun of Grace, I am there. If you see that this devotion is lacking, fear much: storms will surge over this soul which will quickly destroy all good seed. Love Mary, My dear children. She will bring much joy to your hearts, even in this life, and She will be of great help to you in reaching Heaven, where she was transported body and soul so as to be able to better understand you and help you and where She awaits you in eternal happiness and joy.

PROCREATION Saturday, August 17,1968 My child, I promised you some explanation concerning the conduct of many Christians, who do not know and do not want to put into practice

the moral law which I placed as the basis of life in the world. Now, here I am at your side. In order to be able to practise My law, there are two things that one must admit: l. My existence and that of My Father: We govern and preserve the world after having created it. 2. The duty of God's children is to obey their Father and have confidence in Him. lf you remove this foundation, you are not able to proceed; but with these principles, you can live serenely and confident that all will go well. "Increase and multiply and fill the earth," such was My Commandment. It was not only for that moment, but for all centuries, and remains always true. The act of creation is divine, and procreation is a divine collaboration. That is why no human institution shall ever have the right to dictate laws which obstruct or annul My laws of nature and My Will. Marriage also is a divine institution and the laws that regulate it are unchangeable. Indissolubility, unity, fidelity in marriage are the characteristics that God gave to it, and He alone can change them. Thus, the goal of marriage, the reason for which it was instituted, is procreation. To destroy these things means to make of them a bestial act, vulgar and unseemly of noble creatures such as man and woman. The union between man and woman is a solemn act, at which God Himself participates, one which may not be belittled and placed in the mud. If the spouses understood the grandeur of their task, they would be proud of it and would accomplish their duties with piety and great joy. It is true that the modern world, steeped in mire and always with newer and greater demands, cannot think of procreation as being the main purpose of marriage, as that would entail renouncements and sacrifices. It is true that the law of self-denial is now practically unknown, as people say it is impossible to practise, and is harmful to health. But the truth is nevertheless always die same, as is morality. They are unchangeable. If you change or annul the truth, you are in error; it you change morality, you have immorality: two things which God cannot permit. My children, too many demands are created to the detriment of family and social life; if these demands were limited, they would preserve peace in families and joy of consciences. To lead a life of dissipation, by granting everything to one's body, is harmful, for, in its greed for pleasure, it is insatiable. My children, the law of mortification is not reserved for the consecrated, but is an indispensable general law, which distinguishes man from the brute and the beast. How many fewer diseases would there be without these sins of immorality! Believe Me, My children, sin breeds not only moral and physical evils, but also death. Do not forget that the chaste person is worthy of respect on the part of God who makes Himself known to him; and on the part of Angels who see him like unto themselves; and on the part of men who feel themselves morally dominated by him. And by a chaste person, I mean also him who, in marriage, accomplishes his duty

and accepts its material, moral and Spiritual consequences. Just as no one may be authorised to destroy an incipient life, so also no one may be authorised to change or annul laws that regulate conception, fruitfulness and the creation of a soul. From the first instant of conception, it is I who place the soul into the body in embryo; that is why destroying it is destroying the work of God. Blessed are the families where reign faith and confidence in My Providence, for I promise you, and you yourselves will be able to attest, that these families will be the most healthy, the most thriving and the most successful. If you have faith and confidence, all the rest come by themselves. Certainly, a large family involves great sacrifices. But who can give the worth of the tranquillity of one's conscience? Where are the beautiful patriarchal families, in whom the Lord resided and by whom He was honoured, loved and served, and who, from Him, received every blessing? My children, love the Lord, and you will see He will be sufficient for you and your material requirements will be more moderate; a new life in the family will no longer frighten you, but you will welcome it with joy so that the throng of Saints may be greater and the crown of those who have given life to a new creature more luminous. Love the Lord and everything else will be easier for you. He will see to your needs. He will preside at your table, after having provided the necessary substance by giving you health and work. He will take care of your children and choose the best ones as custodians of His Sanctuary, and make them His intimate friends. Death shall be serene for the parents who will have thus conducted themselves, and their glory, in God, will consist in being crowned by their children, whom He will not permit to be lost. In other words, My Judgement will be very benevolent towards those parents who will have honoured Me by observing My laws, and the heights of the Heavenly Spheres will be reserved for them. My dearest children, I am with you with an abundance of My gifts, My Love and My Grace. I desire to give you all I possess; in a word, you may say that what I am giving you is happiness. But is it possible to be happy in your world so full of tribulations, evil and sin? Yes, My children, it is possible, provided that you want it. He who is with Me is happy, does not see and does not feel but joy in his heart, in himself, and around him he spreads only peace and joy. l want you to live with the duty that I am assigning to you. It is very difficult to convince you of this truth, but I assure you that, insofar as you will be convinced, you will succeed in convincing others. l have not come for the just, but for the sinners. I have come to find what was lost and to place upon My shoulders the Cross loaded with the sins of all men, so as to ease their shoulders and their souls. My children, believe Me, I would die a million times, with the same bloody Sacrifice, just to be able to save you all. And why do you often doubt, why do you believe it is impossible for Me to be able to

resolve your painful situations? Do you perhaps think that l am not able to perform miracles? Am I not the Son of the Living God?