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St. Faustina: Merciful Mother of God Demonstrates the Importance of Trust
Jesus revealed himself to St. Faustina Kowalska as “The Divine Mercy,” When we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, we focus our minds to this Jesus.
In The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Mercy, we also have another perfect example of Divine Mercy.
According to an article published on TheDivineMercy.org, St. Faustina not only saw Mary as a gentle spiritual mother, but also as an example of total surrender to Divine Mercy.
“Basically the key is the fiat, which is Mary’s ‘Yes,’” director of the Association of Marian Helpers at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy Father Chris Alar stated.
“People don’t understand Mary is the active part of salvation history. Mary is living proof that God’s will was that we also participate in salvation history. Mary gave Christ his human nature — he already had his divine nature. So the only way redemption can play out is that Mary said ‘Yes.’ She trusted in that mercy of God and surrendered because it was Divine Mercy that sent the Son.”
“Mary didn’t put herself first,” Father Alar said. She is instead “a woman who trusted and surrendered to God’s Divine Mercy and trusted that God is going to take care of her. By trusting, she was able to surrender to that most important moment of God’s Divine Mercy, the Incarnation.”
Susan Tassone, an author of several books on St. Faustina and Divine Mercy notes how St.Faustina depicts the role of Mary as the Mother of Mercy in her diary.
“Through her, as through a pure crystal, your mercy was passed on to us. Through her man became pleasing to God; through her, streams of grace flowed down upon us” (diary, 1746).
According to St. John Paul II, as the mother of Divine Mercy, Mary the Mother of Jesus has several other titles including Mother of mercy: our Lady of mercy, or Mother of divine mercy.
In one of her visions, St. Faustina heard a few words from Mary. “The words were: I am not only the Queen of Heaven, but also the Mother of Mercy and your Mother” (diary, 330).
Emily Jaminet, author and director of Sacred Heart Enthronement Network said Mary’s example is important in our daily lives.
She said we are lucky to have the Virgin Mary as an example of how to devote ourselves to Divine Mercy.
“The Blessed Virgin Mary, who shows us what it means to live out a trustful surrender to Divine Mercy,” Jaminet told the Register. “Her faithfulness, even in the midst of such pain and suffering, is a powerful example of how we are called to grow in holiness.”
Mary remained devoted to Divine Mercy even at the time of Jesus’ death. She remained steadfast and knew that the tribulations of Jesus had a bearing on our salvation.
“She trusted Jesus her Son and God the Father. I am sure she reflected on the words of Simeon given to her at the Presentation, ‘and a sword shall pierce your heart,” she said.
The connection of Virgin Mary to Divine Mercy is also evident at the time of Jesus’ suffering before his death, according to St. John Paul II.
Tassone also concurs with the Polish pontiff.
“Our Lady shared the sacrifice of her heart in revealing God’s mercy,” she said.
Just like Mary the Mother of Jesus, Christians are called to surrender to Divine Mercy. She is a good example of how to surrender to the will of God.
“Mary’s faithfulness to living out the will of God, and living in the will of God, is a powerful example for us as we journey in our faith.”
Tassone says that Faustina in her diary said she “experienced an increasing devotion to the Mother of God. She has taught me how to love God interiorly and also how to carry out His holy will in all things.”
Faustina said the Mother of God has demonstrated the importance of trust in every situation.
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