“Through Him we have gained access by faith to the grace in which we now stand, and we boast of our hope for the glory of God. But not only that –we even boast of our affliction! We know that affliction makes for endurance, and endurance for tested virtue and tested virtue for hope. And this hope will not leave us disappointed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

                                       -Romans 5:2-5

For Reflection:
How does affliction help us grow in hope? Why do you think “tested virtue” leads us there? The last sentence of the passage seems to indicate that hope gives us one more thing as well – what is it? Why do you think this makes sense?

Divine Mercy in My Soul: Diary of St Faustina

St. Faustina Kowalska
Pb 730 pgs
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Introduction  Page xv

1. Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska….is numbered by theologians among the outstanding mystics of the Church.  She was the 3rd of 10 children born into a poor and pious peasant family….she was given the name “Helena.”  From childhood she distinguished herself by her piety, love of prayer, industriousness and obedience as well as by her great sensitivity to human misery.