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Sr. Faustina the favor of having a greater depth of understanding of His mercy.
5.4 When Souls Receive Communion “Merely Out of Habit”
(Diary, # 1288): On September 19, (1937), Jesus told Sr. Faustina, “My daughter,
write that it pains Me very much when religious souls receive the Sacrament of Love
merely out of habit, as if they did not distinguish this food. I find neither faith nor love in
their hearts. I go to such souls with great reluctance. It would be better if they did not
receive Me” (Diary, # 1288).
5.5 When Souls Skip Communion Due to Their “Doubts” or “Minor Faults”
(Diary, # 156): Once Sr. Faustina wanted very much to receive Holy
Communion, but a doubt on the gravity of her sin made her choose not to go.
Consequently, she suffered much bitterness in her heart even when engaged in her
assigned task. Suddenly, Jesus appeared standing beside her, and counseled her gently,
“My daughter, do not omit Holy Communion unless you know well that your fall was
serious; apart from this, no doubt must stop you from uniting yourself with Me in the
mystery of My love. Your minor faults will disappear in My love like a piece of straw
thrown into a great furnace. Know that you grieve Me much when you fail to receive Me
in Holy Communion” (Diary, # 156).
(Diary, # 1827): Sr. Faustina also wrote in her Diary on her great “misery” and
feelings of unworthiness when preparing for Holy Communion. But she overcame it by
humbly trusting in the God of mercy:
Today, my soul is preparing for Holy Communion as for a wedding feast,
wherein all the participants are resplendent with unspeakable beauty. And I,
too, have been invited to this banquet, but I do not see that beauty within
myself, only an abyss of misery. And, although I do not feel worthy of
sitting down to table, I will however slip under the table, at the feet of Jesus,
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