Volume One Study Questions

Volume One

Introduction     

Dreams, illnesses, pilgrimages; have any of these human experiences ever been conduits to the Lord for you personally or someone close to you?  How can we make ourselves more open to the possibility of this?

Saying “yes” to the Lord sometimes is more recognizable by the “no” that we are actually saying to the world;  have you been aware of these yes/no junctures in your life?

Thoughts on Spirituality – Reread this sentence “I did not come to you because you were worthy.  I won’t leave you because you are not.”  Is there a cross, scapular, or medal you could wear throughout Lent to remind you of your worthiness of unfailing love of Jesus?

When Anne feels she’s failed, Jesus reminds her that this is not a fall, but practice.  Repetition is the basis of practice and through practice comes learning.  Where do you feel you are falling, practicing, and learning?

Anne has a habit she (and Jesus) would like her to break: are there habits or distractions that sully either your body or your mind that perhaps Jesus is waiting to help you tackle?

Saturday –

Do you wait long enough to allow the Lord to comfort you?

We see that, as Anne’s relationship with Jesus grows, she overcomes the tediousness and sometimes even pain of practicing, she moves beyond the feeling of just wanting the difficult part to be finished.  She thankfully arrives at thinking outside herself.  Do you ever feel so wrapped in God’s love that you want to draw others there inside with you?

Praise God –

“Worthy sentiments, without action, lack power”

Jesus asks us to focus on others’ strengths as opposed to their flaws.  He uses it all to move us forward.

How much different could the Stations of the Cross be if only Simon of Cyrene had helped willingly instead of grudgingly?  How willing are you to suffer for others, if it means some small share of healing for them?

Thoughts on Spirituality 2-

Are you part of the masses or part of the remnant?  Which of Faustina’s groups; those upon the crosses, those carrying their crosses willingly, or those dragging their crosses along and complaining?

Have there been times when your love for Jesus has been so great that it overflowed into love and desire to help save others?  How can you bring that to your life more often?

What sufferings can you identify and bring to lay at the foot of the cross?  There are many who are suffering; can you pray for those who have no one to pray for them and so unite all suffering as an offering to God?

Take heart in Jesus’ many exhortations that He is taking us with Him; He never leaves us to suffer without him.  When we suffer, we win graces for others and we grow in love.  Consider that when you have received graces in your life, some brother or sister in the body of Christ has suffered on your behalf.  How can we come to understand this more fully?

The Blessed Mother told Anne to pray for the gifts of the Spirit.  Do you think often of these seven gifts? [Discuss Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord]

What does Anne tell us about the souls of the depraved and of temptation?  Could efforts to evangelize, no matter how small, create a crack into which Jesus’ love could pour?

Anne is clear, and Jesus is clear with her on many occasions, that sacrifices must be made and much energy must be spent on family formation.  How can you accomplish one improvement in the area during Lent?  Could it become a change that would last?

Thoughts on Spirituality 3 –

Jesus reiterates that suffering is inevitable, but ultimately benefits souls other than our own: does this change how you feel about your “crosses”?

What are some ways we allow our bodies to have dominion over us?  How can we strengthen our intellect to overcome these trials, especially if we know they are coming?

The women we see as examples in the Bible are calm, firm, and overall, courageous;  how can women build these qualities and how can men help them?

Anne says that during periods of aridity, we must remember that God is always there. In fact, all the way back through time there have been legions of souls who offer support to those who fall, even Christ when he fell so many times during his Passion.  What ways could we tap in to this continuous current ?

Christ and the Saints have been able to separate themselves from the world although they lived in the world;  why would they abhor affection and run from adulation?

Anne feels acute failure at times and Jesus consoles by saying ”I cannot get in front of you and your free will.  Next time, go into another room and give Me a moment to place peace in your heart.”  Is there a place, literal or figurative, that you can cultivate to give Jesus such a space in your heart?

Thoughts on Spirituality – 4

How can we take steps to “find our heart recollected”?  What are your challenges to this stillness every day?

Jesus tells us through Anne to take baby steps; “In the smallest details of your day, seek My will.”

                                                                                                “Suffer willingly”

                                                                                                “Ask Me for courage and courage will be yours”

                                                                                                “Work for Me first.”

Mary encourages us through Anne to listen for her Son’s voice and allow her to lead us on the path;  she assures us that the even the intention of holiness makes the everyday divine.  Where are the places or times during your day when you can be more mindful?

Mary also says “Alas, they look everywhere but to heaven.  It was never this way to such a degree in the world.  People are ashamed to ask God for help…”  When people today are troubled, where do they tend to look instead of heaven?

Through Anne, Jesus exhorts us to immerse ourselves in His Passion.  He reveals that Love is sacrifice.  How do you find this true in your life?

Especially during Lent, how can we take to heart the message of her last paragraph, to start a day that might be full of sickness and pain, ”but with a light spirit”?  What are some of the striking things about our world and how we can change it  that Jesus conveys through Anne in the final pages?

Thoughts on Spirituality 5 –

How can I make my body or my soul more obedient?

The Blessed Mother says “we are slaves to your prayers”; how many times a day should we try and tap in to that devotion?

Trusting God in little things will lead to a habit of doing so in greater things; has there been a time recently when it would have been just as well to trust God in some little thing?

Entrusting our hearts to Mary instead of the world will warm them and cause them to overflow;  find others that have opened their hearts and she will lead everyone together to her Son.

Listen for Jesus and then look to one another.  Do you believe in this way we can change future generations?

Mary, the Angels and the Saints are standing by; what could stop one from at the very least starting down the path that God has in store?

Our time is not God’s time.  The sickness of our current times demand full conversion; take just one day to continuously put your trust in Jesus and by the end of the day, it will reside in you.

Our Mother Mary is always there to gently guide us back to the path; call upon her when your feel your eyes may stray from the destination.

“The times you feel discouraged and unable to serve are the times you are depending upon yourself”; consider prayer like eating and drinking, the Gospels as a place to rest.  Take care of your souls like you take care of your body.

Mary intercedes for us when we are struggling;”It is in the process of becoming that the world is burned from you and heaven takes over”.  We know the Saints endured much and were not unfairly judged.  Have there been times that our attitude about difficulties have ultimately helped or hindered the final outcome?

Thoughts on Spirituality 6-

Of all the blessings you have been given, do you feel some duty towards God? He wants only for you to prayerfully consider your spiritual practices, then be determined and disciplined about following through, no matter how it feels at any given time.

Pray always and you will find joy in your duty.

Jesus speaks through Anne of His great concern for our children;  He does not want us to worry but to strive to live a simple life and pray. How can we identify the obstacles to this goal and extinguish them?

“Often, the evil one will attempt to keep you tied to past sins by reminding you of them and trying to persuade you that sinners cannot be true chosen souls.  How ridiculous a notion!”  Next time you go to the sacrament of Reconciliation remember Mary’s words here, both reminding us that holiness is a process and that she desperately wants us to feel joy.

Seeking the opinions of others, over discussing your life, making noise for the sake of noise—all such things require energy that could be spent in prayer and destroy the quiet that the Holy Spirit seeks.  Today, we have instantaneous access to news, minute by minute posts, ongoing text strings.  Where can you cut away some of this distraction to leave an opening for the Lord?

Begin and end with peace.

Life is only complex when we are removed from God and, in fact, life is only disposable when we are removed from God.  We can recognize and defend against the confusion of the world.   We can come to know God very simply through his words in the Bible.  How would you convince others that abortion equates with murder?

Mary cries out for the unborn children!  She has faith in our generation being open to God changing our world and abolishing this and other crimes.  Do you believe this could happen?

Jesus’ Sacred Heart beats stronger as the evil in the world grows weaker.  Many are controlled by the world and its habits but as more turn to Him, they gather more followers.  Gain strength by watching, helping, accepting, but above all, loving one another.   Who are some of those bright souls who can help you come back to God and gain your inheritance?

Every soul is worthy of our prayer: be at peace and guide your children to peace as well.  There is no flaw or mistake too great that Mary would not intervene on your behalf.  Are there Marian devotions that speak to your heart?  Look for one that does or pray the rosary.

Do not ask to understand, but obey.  Jesus says through Anne “Your liberty will be complete and your slavery to this world will end”; St. Joseph is a model of trust and obedience; how could you appeal to him in prayer?

Realize that a soul likely suffered for your conversion;  reflect on the Crucifix to be reminded of your final redemption.  Memorize a prayer that brings to mind the Passion.

 Anima Christi :

Soul of Christ, Sanctify me.

Body of Christ, Save me. 

Blood of Christ, Inebriate me.

Passion of Christ, Strengthen me. 

O good Jesus hear me,

Within Thy wounds hide me,

Separated from You let me never be,

 From the evil one protect me,

At the hour of my death call me, 

And close to You bid me,

That with your saints and angels I may be,

Praising You forever and ever,  Amen.

Litany of the Precious Blood:

Response:  Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us!

                Blood of Christ, Only Begotten Son of the eternal Father, save us.

                Blood of Christ, incarnate Word of God, save us.

Blood of Christ, of the new and eternal covenant, save us.

Blood of Christ, poured out on the cross, save us.

Blood of Christ, price of our salvation, save us.

Blood of Christ, shed anew in the martyrs, save us.

Thoughts on Spirituality 7 –

Compromise with the world is no longer possible; through Anne Jesus asks for our pledge of Allegiance to God alone.  Can you become like a soldier here in the world where God placed you?

Persevere and pray.

Do not fear; there is Divine Providence set out for us and no task before us is too great.

Look to Heaven.

Jesus wishes to draw us back to the light; all that is necessary is repentance, humility, seeking of his grace, and each follower doing their part.  The Saints never tired of saving souls.  Do you feel you were put here for a reason?

Prayer à ObedienceàHolinessà Revelation;  sanctify your life by merely saying yes.

So many souls are lost; we have an obligation to be Christ in all we do and say. “Leave nothing undone that could bring a soul to me. Let those of the world scoff at you if they dare.  The inhabitants of Heaven commend you”.  Learn more about the angels who are made joyful by our efforts here on earth.

Protect the Lord’s name in all its forms; remember not to profane His name with the same lips that sing His praises at Mass.

Thoughts on Spirituality 8 –

Be vigilant; pray the rosary and be thus protected.

Stay the course; now that you have chosen, move forward with constancy and determination, not letting your feelings rule you from one day to the next.

Let prayer be your weapon; imbue it in every menial thing you do.

Faith is a gift and a practice; go to the Lord’s house and worship him with prayer as He has commanded.

Mary desires that you bravely take her hand; she is appealing to you to let her change your life.

Let your vigilance be steadfast, in sanctifying the great and the small decisions.  Ask for the Blessed Mother’s guidance in discernment.

“The darkness has lost its time now and I will have the world in My way”; do you believe that Pope Francis will coalesce the followers of Christ into a body that can do good for our sick world?

Make haste; your “yes” will unleash all manner of graces.

Pray to Jesus, ask Mary to intercede; there is no problem they have not encountered. “Move slowly and you will not misstep.”

Return now and you will never regret; He has claimed your for His own.  Over and over again.

Pray for the fallen and enable Mary, our Mother, to minister to their souls.  Can you think of friends or family whom you could call by name?

Bloom where you are planted, preferably outside the radiant lure of the television and the empty soil of diversion.

“Giving must be pure and if you use your time on earth properly, giving and learning about heavenly things, I will teach you to love, and prepare you for the pure grade of love you are destined to experience in the next world”; there are many ways our world has distorted love.  Have you seen this?

Our children are capable of learning about pure love if we guide them in the right paths; are there ways you could change how you are taking care of this seed?

Duty and unquestioning loyalty; swiftly children, say yes to the Lord!

“It was never intended that mankind live apart from his God”; make God the compass of your life.  Your true love of yourself as God’s chosen will lead you to forget about yourself in service to others.

Our Blessed Mother, who had the gift of a heavenly perspective even when she was in the world is calling us to let go of worldly things.  Especially those things that cause us to compare ourselves to others, creating envy, a deadly sin.  What do you think the difference is between jealousy and envy?

Make Jesus an integral part of your Holy Family.  Look to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and emulate their love for one another.  There are beautiful pieces of art which depict this from every age.

Thoughts on Spirituality 9 –

Take the first step; pray with Jesus in conversation.  “The fruits will come later, out of your line of vision”

The side of the Light must ready themselves for Spiritual Warfare; the outcome has been secured.  God put us all in the place we are in for a reason.  Now he requires only our obedience for the victory that “will restore the world to goodness and spiritual safety”.  Send up a prayer of thanksgiving for our children!

Mary is “the Woman Clothed in the Sun” and is forever hovering near to help us in restoring the world to Light.  Each has been put in place and “must be brave, be calm, and be prepared to do our part, with the emphasis on service to God and His divine plan.”  Do you pray for God in His time to reveal your part of the plan?

Each day begin anew in contemplation of what is to come and whether it is God’s will.  Be silent.

Pray not only for those who have too little but for those who have too much; indeed the former already have their eyes trained on heaven while the latter empty, flat, blank, cold.  We must trust that God will care for us and provide for us, and we in turn must simply care for souls.  He will provide all the love necessary; just turn to the Gospels.  Do you give from your treasure or just from your excess?

Through Anne, Mary exults with joy at the World to come; “Children of the Light, play your part in confidence…your Mother is nearby.”

Do not be afraid to make sacrifices at the last barrier—worldly possessions. They are baubles of the enemy and undermine our efforts to serve God.

Everyone is invited to share the Good News like the most beautiful of banquets.  Jesus seeks to prepare us and awaits only a word from us to engage us fully in His plan.

Be holy, brave -- and quiet -- in the knowledge that the work is about to begin.  When you feel fear, do not hesitate to flee unto Mary, and her Immaculate Heart.

Throughout the ages, there have been times such as these.  We are called to a level of advanced holiness.  The time is soon when Jesus will reveal His plan.  Ask for help and remain hopeful now; is there a person who could be your spiritual director?

Make an appropriate home for the Holy Spirit in you and then pray fervently for the gifts with which it is associated.