“my future to Thy Providence”

St. Padre Pio, the holy priest and stigmatist, used to pray (and encourage others to pray) thus:

“My past, O Lord, to Thy Mercy; my present, to Thy Love; my future, to Thy Providence.”

As children of an “infinitely loving Father” (St. Padre Pio), we must entrust the future to God’s love and wisdom. He knows what we need. God arranges everything for our greatest good, namely, eternal salvation. For this reason, we must trust in Him at all times. This will bring grace and peace.

Here is a beautiful illustration of God’s merciful providence, as well as our inability to discern the things of God: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways”, says the Lord (Isaiah 55:8).

(Taken from p. 319 of ‘The Life of Leon Papin-Dupont, The Holy Man of Tours’)

In everything that happened, even though in its human aspects it was most disastrous and apparently most detrimental to the interests of religion, his faith beheld the action of Divine Providence and the accomplishment of the Divine Will. Thus, when the terrible conflagration which took place in a church at Santiago, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, was exciting the greatest sensation throughout the civilised world, a lady of Tours felt herself tempted to murmur against God for having allowed so many devout clients of His Virgin Mother to perish by so frightful a catastrophe at the very time when they were rendering her their homage. Meeting M. Dupont in the street, she gave expression to her distress in passionate terms.

“But, madam”, he said, “you let your feelings carry you away. Instead of being afflicted, you ought rather to be thankful. See, I pray you, how, whilst His earthly children were occupied in glorifying their heavenly Mother, God chose that very moment for calling them to Himself and transported them straight into His Paradise. In an instant they are saved, they are happy; it is not a disaster; it is a mercy, and one of the greatest that could have befallen them.”

“I did not venture to reply”, adds the lady, who was herself the Abbe Janvier’s informant. “He was in another sphere. I looked only to earth, he to heaven.”

"The judgments of God are always right, perfectly just, and justice does not manifest severity except where souls 
have abused mercy." - Reginald Garrigou Lagrange

Jesus Is Most Deserving Of Compassion!

“My Child, do not believe that my agony has been only three hours, no; actually I will be in agony till the end of the world because of the souls I love.”

– Jesus to St. Padre Pio

Similar words were spoken to Ven. Concepcion Cabrera de Armida:

“I only remained on the Cross of Calvary for three hours, but on the interior Cross of My Heart, my whole life. The monasteries (Oasis) will venerate both of them but especially my Interior Cross which symbolizes these pains and these inner sufferings, so incomprehensible, which constantly oppress my soul. These sufferings remained hidden during My life. I smiled, I labored. Only My Mother was aware of this martyrdom which crushed My loving Heart. My external Passion lasted but a few hours. It was like a gentle dew, a comfort for the other Passion, terribly cruel, which tortured ceaselessly My soul!” (Diary, Sept. 25, 1894).

How worthy is Jesus of our compassion! Recognising my own sinfulness and past obstinacy, I repeat the words of Bl. Alexandrina:

“Do not offend our dear Lord any more. Convert yourselves. Do not lose Jesus for all eternity. He is so good. Enough of sin! LOVE HIM! LOVE HIM!”

The following words of Our Lord to St. Mechtilde should fill us with a holy fear, but also with profound humility, love and gratitude:

“As long as a sinner remains in sin, he keeps Me stretched and fastened to the Cross, but as soon as he is converted and repentant he detaches Me, and as if I really had been detached from the Cross I fall, with all My weight on him, as formerly on Joseph of Arimathea, with My grace and mercy; I give Myself into his hands, that he may do with Me as he will.”

However sinful our past, God offers us a fresh start. Salvation is our greatest good, and sanctity is our means of salvation; therefore, let us pray daily for the grace to become a saint! This is the most noble, joyful and meaningful end that any human can aspire to! Fortunate are they who strive earnestly for holiness! Here are some book suggestions to help you progress in the spiritual life:

– ‘The Three Conversions in the Spiritual Life’ by Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange (112 pages)

– ‘The Ways of Mental Prayer’ by Dom Vital Lehodey (408 pages) (Recommended by Garrigou-Lagrange and St. Pope Pius X, who was reffered to by St. Padre Pio as “the greatest Pope since St. Peter”!)

– ‘Christian Perfection and Contemplation’ by Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange (470 pages)

The first recommendation will be of great profit to all- Protestant or Catholic- and it is very affordable: http://www.bookdepository.com/Three-Conversions-Spiritual-Life-R-Gamigou-Lagrange/9780895557391

God bless!