Final Grace

Some of the most profound passages in Saint Faustina Kowalka's Diary are entries 1484-1488, where Saint Faustina records conversations between Jesus and a sinful soul, then a soul on the brink of despair, then a suffering soul, then a soul striving for perfection, and finally a perfect soul.

The soul on the brink of despair is dying and on the verge of being separated from God forever. Jesus is calling out to this soul, but the soul mistakenly believes that its sins are so grave they cannot be forgiven. Saint Faustina writes:

"Jesus calls to the soul a third time, but the soul remains deaf and blind, hardened and despairing. Then the mercy of God begins to exert itself, and, without any co-operation from the soul, God grants it final grace. If this too is spurned, God will leave the soul in this self-chosen disposition for eternity. This grace emerges from the merciful Heart of Jesus and gives the soul a special light by means of which the soul begins to understand God's effort; but conversion depends on its own will. The soul knows that this, for her, is final grace and, should it show even a flicker of good will, the mercy of God will accomplish the rest" (Diary of Saint Faustina, 1485). 

The despairing soul at last responds to Jesus, who takes the soul in His merciful arms to lead the soul home.

We should not despair of anyone's salvation. Even if the person is a hardened sinner, we don't know what transpired with Jesus in the innermost depths of their soul at the moment of their death. We should pray frequently for the dying, that Jesus will bestow upon them all the graces they need to trust in His mercy at the hour of their death. God listens to our prayers, especially when we ask for mercy, especially when we pray for the dying, for in doing so, we are aligning our will with His will, that souls will be united with the Triune God in Heaven for all eternity.

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet every day for the salvation of souls. Learn about the promises Jesus made about Divine Mercy Sunday here.