Favorite Quotes from Volume One Part Six

In this post I continue to share with you some of my favorite quotes from Jesus taken from Volume One.  Quite honestly, all the quotes in Volume One are my favorite.  My hopes are that by sharing a few quotes with you, you will have the desire to read all the Volumes  as well.

I want My children to have spiritual discipline.  This means you practice your faith regardless of how you feel.  (p. 109)

...you must complete your duties despite feelings of fatigue, boredom, and restlessness.  The enemy uses these feelings to persuade people that they should not serve their loved ones.  (p. 109)

Your duty is holy and in it you will find your find path to holiness.  (p.109)

The Good News must be shared with all souls.  What is the message, My children?  I want you to tell souls everywhere that Jesus loves them.  It is very simple.  I love them!  I want them to be with me.  

(p. 113-114)

My children rely too often on the thoughts of others.  Children, you must think for yourself.  The opinions of others are often flawed and have a worldly origin. Of what use is that to you?  I want you to spend your time quietly, as much as possible.  Focus your strength and energy on serving Me in your day.  (p. 117)

My children, you will recognize Me in your life when you begin to follow Me. Look for Me and My desires as you go through your day.  View everything as an opportunity for holiness.  View everything as an opportunity to be closer to Me.  (p. 119)

Read the Bible, My children, and you will come to know your God. He is all love. He sees to everything for you.  Life is intended to be simple, beautiful, and you are to be learning always.  (p. 119)

I offer something so sparkling, so eternal, and so pristine, that the soul longs for it.  I offer goodness and happiness.  I offer peace and above all I offer love.  My love is real.  (p. 123)

A commentary for the 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time by Sr. Pamela Kay Doyle, OSB

Jesus says to us, Behold, I have prepared my banquet and everything is ready; come to the feast.

St. Benedict responds by asking us, What, dear ones, is more delightful than this voice of the Lord calling to us?

An invitation; we've been given a personal invitation to deepen our relationship with God.  We've been invited to be present to love; invited to open our hearts and let them be filled as only God can fill them.

This invitation is not a one-time special offer.  God invites us each and every day and each moment of our lives.  There is no RSVP with this invitation. However, there are choices to be made with each invitation.  We can ignore the invitation, decline it, or accept it.

We can ignore those crying in pain, ignore those stripped of their dignity, ignore those living in oppression.  We can decline the opportunity to be attentive to others' needs, decline to stand up in solidarity for what is right, decline to love our neighbors as ourselves.

When we accept God's invitation in our lives, we give of our time and talents for the sake of others, we anticipate one another's needs; we accept our crosses which we are asked to bear.

We have been invited; everything has been prepared for us; the feast awaits us. Come...RESPOND!

Suzie Dailer Becomes an Affiliate!

How blessed we are to welcome Suzie Dailer to the Affiliate stage at Our Lady of Grace Monastery. Suzie comes to us from Wheeling, West Virginia. Suzie has the desire to love and serve God as a Benedictine Sister. We are so happy God has led her to our community. Please help us in giving God thanks for the gift of Suzie's vocation.

Suzie is a registered nurse and will soon be working in our nursing home, St. Paul Hermitage. 

The affiliation stage can last from six months to two years. It begins by a woman expressing her desire to the Prioress and Vocation Director to get to know the community better by attending prayer, meals and visiting the community on a frequent basis. It is also a period of time where the candidate meets with the Vocation Director and keeps in contact with her as they discern her call together. Once the candidate believes she is ready to take the next step she must meet with the Prioress and then formally write a letter seeking permission to enter the community as a postulant. Upon the acceptance of the request by the Prioress, the candidate is ready to take the next step.

Please help me in giving thanks to God for this joyous occasion at Our Lady of Grace Monastery. Please continue to pray daily that God will continue to send us happy, holy and healthy women to our community so that we may continue this long Benedictine tradition of seeking God through prayer, work and hospitality.

Welcome Suzie!

Favorite Quotes from Volume One Part Five

Anne is a Lay Apostle who writes messages she receives from Jesus and the Blessed Mother.  To read more about Anne's work you can go to:  Direction For Our Times

The following quotes are taken from Anne's book Volume One, Thoughts on  Spirituality.

I want My chosen souls to reflect on the value of obedience.  Only through obedience can I bring about the movement toward perfection within you.  Your current world scoffs on obedience.  Even children do not obey their parents and are not punished for their transgressions.  I want My souls to be obedient and they will see faith bloom like a flower.  Truly, I will reward them in an unparalleled manner during these times.  (p. 93)

Do you want to be with me?  I am here for you.   But you must clear the path for Me.  You must listen for Me.  To do that, dear chosen souls, you must free yourself from these attachments that hold you under submission.  (p. 93)

This is what it means to be My follower.  You need worry over nothing.  I will fight your battles for you and bring others to heaven through you.  I can place the most beautiful, heavenly thoughts in your souls if only you will let Me.  How I stand by, little soul, ready to bring you closer.  Say yes to Me and we will begin our journey in earnest.  (p. 94)

Mary reminds us, Jesus is waiting for you, my little one.  I will help you, and show you the way.  Pray more, even when you do not feel like praying.  Pray always, even if it is just a simple sentence, a simple thought.  Look closely for the answers to your prayers and you will find them.  (p. 94)

Holiness is a process, and, as with most things, I could exert My divinity and make you saints, but what merit would you gain from that?  Better that My little ones make small acts of love so that I can see your wills turning toward Me. Trust Me. You will not be disappointed.  Do not be afraid, only trust Me.  (p. 97-98)

Often My words fall on deaf ears.  Truly there are those who see but do not see, who hear but do not hear.  These brothers and sisters will have to answer for their disregard of My graces.  My words bounce off them like so many stones. You, My children, have been given the grace to hear with both your ears and your hearts.  Therefore you must heed My words.  My spirit will come upon you and you will know what I want from you.  Please, hear the voice of your God in your heart and respond to Me with determination.  My yoke is easy and My burden is light.  My true followers know joy and peace and it is reflected in their eyes.  Holy friendships are my gift to you.  (p. 101)

My little chosen souls of this day have a hard time with both suffering and patience.  Remember; My time is perfect.  If We were to change over and do things according to your desires, it would not be My plan but yours.  Remember how your life felt without Me, little soul, and renew your pledge to serve Me, not yourself.  My time is perfect.  All will occur as it should but I need souls to convert and be faithful now.  (p. 103)

A Commentary for the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time by Sr. Susan Marie Lindstrom, OSB

We have heard this parable of the wicked tenants often enough to suspect that Matthew is directing the story to the leaders of Israel, those who were given responsibility to maintain a healthy vineyard, and to give back to God the fruits of their work of caretaking, instructing and upholding the Law. The servants who were killed as they attempted to gather the owner’s share represent the prophets whom the leaders rejected. The Son, obviously, is Jesus, the rightful heir who is killed out of greed or fear or perhaps even jealousy.

It would be easy to focus on these aspects of the story, but today I invite us to consider the vineyard and the landowner.

In the 1st reading this Sunday, Isaiah tells us that the vineyard owner prepared the land, put up a hedge and watch tower and built a wine vat. We see the providence and the faithfulness of the landowner.

It was typical for a landowner to entrust the care of the property to tenants who would keep a share of the produce of the land and return the bulk of the harvest to the landowner. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement that left the landowner free to travel and provided sustenance and livelihood for the tenants. The tenants were given great freedom and great responsibility. Most of us understand the work is required to have a good garden… a vineyard requires even more care! As the vines grow, they need to be tied up, supported, pruned at the appropriate times.

God entrusts to each of us the vineyard of the Kingdom, the vineyard of the Church. While pure gift, it requires of us mindfulness of the task we have been given, attentiveness to the growth we desire, awareness of the elements that might hurt or help the plants, knowledge of when the harvest is ready. There is certainly no possibility of sitting back and going on auto-pilot… as soon as the harvest is in, there is wine to be made, land to be cleared, soil to be turned over in preparation for the next planting.

Now, within this vineyard, there are some special fields, choice grapes, special vintage. For most of us in this room, that special ground is monastic life. The fields entrusted to Antony of the Desert, to Cassian, to Benedict are now ours to tend. They have been nurtured and stewarded for centuries. In this vineyard grow not grapes of wrath but fruits of zeal, obedience, stability. We are called to faithfully cultivate the plot lest thorns of contention spring up and choke the fruit

How do we care for our monastic vineyard? Are we aware of the trust that God has placed in us? Hour by hour, do we keep careful watch over all we do, aware that God’s gaze is upon us, wherever we may be? Do we ever get stuck in the feeling of entitlement that proved to be the downfall of the tenants in our gospel story? What are the fruits that we bear as we live our monastic life? Do we work hard enough to give the landowner a share while still having enough to feed ourselves and to share with others?


We are entrusted with a charism that is at the service of the church. We are called to nurture our own monastic vineyard while being aware of all who have worked this soil before us, and all who are yet to come. Let us labor to bring forth a rich harvest and to show the vineyard owner gratitude by our diligence.

Feast of the Guardian Angels

Today is the feast of the Guardian Angels.  My 7th graders have agreed to write poems about this beautiful feast! Enjoy.

Guardian Angel,

You guide me every minute,

I love you so much!

(7th Grade Class)

You are in my heart,

You are always by my side,
Don't ever leave me.

(Lucy M.)

Guardian Angel,

You watch over me,

You are here every day,

Your love is so deep,

You guide me throughout the day,

I will always keep believing!

(Gabby S.)

Guardian angel,

protect me for all my life,

Come and pray with me!

(Christian L.)

Guardian Angel, here you are,

In the night, when I fear, you are close to me ever so dear.

Or in the day time of my life, you are beside me guiding me with no trace.

We all know you are here, guide me to heaven while we are still here.

(Jamaica H.)

Guardian Angel,

Thank you, Guardian Angel,

For protecting me!

(Jake. F)

Guide and Love Me,

For I know that you are near,

You are always there when I fear.

You take me through my days,

With all your loving ways.

You keep me close in your heart,

Nothing will ever keep us apart!

(Samantha A.)

Guardian Angel,

I love you,

Thank you so much for looking out for me.

It's like someone is giving me their hand and

helping me up through the badness in life.

You help me sin less.

When I fall, you my Guardian Angel are there for me.

When I'm sad or not feeling good I feel you there and

I can feel you kiss my cheek.

And at night I know I am not alone, even if I sin.

Thank you so much for being my Guardian Angel.

I love you in my heart.

I always feel you, and that's why I smile all the time.

I know that you will never forget me and I will never forget you!

(Nikki D.)

You are my Guardian Angel, you guide me through everything,

You help me through all.

I can't see you but you are there, right beside me.

The happy and the sad, the easy and the rough,

You are my Guardian Angel, and I'm glad you are there.

You help me with every step I take, every decision I make,

You are there!

(Kaitlin O.)

Oh Guardian Angel,

Dear loving guide,

Show me the way,

Please do not hide,

Stay by my side,

In darkness and light.

You will be there with me,

Through the night.

(Taylor B.)

My Guardian Angel so kind and dear,

You are always near.

You are pure love from above.

I thank God who gave you to me.

So now I wish to thank you on your Feastday.

(Ben #1)

Guardian Angel,

You help me to do my best,

Don't ever leave me.

(Elizabeth G.)

Guardian Angel.

You guide me always through and through,

You are always with me, too.

Thank you so much!

(Ben #2)

I feel your presence,

Keep me out of the darkness,

I am safe with you.

(Emily P.)

Guardian Angel,

You are never far away,

Stay with me always.

(Josh C.)

Guardian Angel,

Please come to me in comfort,

I will wait for you.

(Deven L.)

I have an angel,

My angel is watching over me,

My angel loves me.

(Kristen S.)

Guardian Angel,

You are my helper from above,

I love you.

You help me each and every day.

You help me over my tears,

You keep me happy and joyful,

For that, I leave you space and love,

I will give a heart to love,

and a feast day from above.

(Tristan M.)

Angel of Jesus,

Guide me.

You are like my Savior,

Trust in me always.

(Kristen N.)

Keep me in your mind,

Please never leave me behind.

Keep me in your mind and I will pray,

That you are with me every day.

Guardian Angel be with me,

With your help I will see,

The way to the light,

So I will be with God for all my life!

(Ashley K.)

Guardian Angel,

Give me the strength to serve God,

With you I won't fail.

(Joseph E.)

In the night,
I'm not alone.  

My guardian angel,
looks after me!
(Brianna S.)

Jesus' October Message

Each month, Anne, a lay apostle, receives a message from Jesus. This is the message for October. To read more about the locutions Anne receives from Jesus and His Blessed Mother click on this link: Direction For Our Times

October 1, 2008

Dear apostles, how strongly you desire holiness. This desire pleases Me and I will bless this desire. I will increase your holiness. There are times when you despair of becoming as holy as you wish. At those times when you are tempted, I would like you to know that I can make you holy in an instant. If you require heroic holiness in a moment, I can give it to you. The Holy Spirit blows where it is both welcomed and needed so if you welcome the Spirit, the Spirit will sanctify you. I, Jesus, lived on earth and in My humanity I understand the struggles that plague you. I understand the frustration you feel when you examine yourself and find that you have work to do in virtue. Dear ones, consider life like a walk. If you are taking a walk on any given day, you walk. You do not sit down on the path and call that action walking. That would be sitting down and that is different from walking. Your spiritual life is meant to be active. If you look at yourself and find that you need to work on holiness, then you are looking at yourself in truth. You are on the path and you are walking and you see that ahead of you the path continues on into the unknown as far as the possibility for your holiness. I, Jesus, am comfortable with this for you. I am not pleased, however, when you move backwards on the path or leave the path altogether. You were meant to serve Me and you were meant to serve Me in this time. Please, do not be distracted. Do not believe that My plan can do without your service. My plan does not require your perfection, My dearest one, but it does require your presence. If you remain with Me during your time on earth, My treasures are transmitted to you. You can then open your heart to others and allow these treasures to be distributed to them. Ask Me for these treasures for others. I will send them to others through you. Have no fear that this prayer will go unanswered. It will not. It will be answered more generously than you can imagine. Draw closer to Me in holiness, dear apostle, so that I can sanctify you and move into the world through you. Do not be afraid of changes. Just as you must always be moving on your path, so the world must always be moving through time. As the world moves through time it changes and it is changing now. You, dearest apostle, are a part of that change.