To Love is to Give

TO LOVE IS TO GIVE – Each Day with Bl. Mary Angela

Thoughts of Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska
taken from the Selected Writings, Vol. I, II, III
s. M. Benwenuta Tomasiak CSSF

On the tenth anniversary of the beatification of
Mother Mary Angela Truszkowska, our Beloved Foundress,
we hope to draw all persons to her spiritual mission, that is those
who imitate Christ, as she did, and desire to live out the Father’s Will daily.

To love is to give everything that love demands.
– Blessed Mary Angela

November

1.
Everything has an end; only eternity is endless. (III, 117)

2.
Often renew your resolutions to become a saint, even in the most arid of moments. (III, 116)

3.
Everything which is not for eternity is vanity. (III, 123)

4.
Keep silence during the appointed hours. Practice love of neighbor and humility. Try to think about death often and prepare for it. (III, 83)

5.
Empty your heart of all affections which would not be for God. (III, 113)

6.
I can’t tell you what a joy it is for me to see in you in such a desire to save souls, for this is the best and undeniable evidence that you love God. (I, 106)

7.
Allow Jesus to do what He pleases with your soul as well as with your body. (I, 107)

8.
Be ready at all times for God’s call, that is, do what He demands of you at each moment and do not worry about the next. (I, 107)

9.
Do not be disheartened if you do not see the fruit of your work; after all, you know that Christ Himself taught the multitudes and not everyone listened to His voice. (I, 106)

10.
Remember, it is for us to toil and on God depends the fruit of our labors. (I, 106)

11.
Keep in mind your vocation. Take to heart its seriousness and constantly incite yourself to a greater fervor. (III, 82)

12.
Our Sisters, who are called not only to save themselves but to save others, should lead a life of perfection adhering to the words of the Savior: Your light must shine before men so that they may see the goodness in your acts and give praise to your Heavenly Father. (III, 152)

13.
When they [the sisters] make an examination of conscience or admit their faults, (. . .) they should not only accuse themselves of them but of the fact that they did not do it better because of neglect or carelessness. (III, 152)

14.
All the sisters should be everything to one another: meek, pleasant, patient and not excusing themselves from any sacrifice. (III, 155)

15.
They should help everyone with advice, consolation, work, favors and prayers. They should have understanding for the children. (III, 155)

16.
They should not be indifferent to any wretchedness whether moral or material. (III, 155)

17.
Towards the sick they should show patience and care; they should console them, bear with them patiently, take care of their needs, trying not to show any disgust. (III, 155-156)

18.
God has entrusted to your care the souls of those simple folk, so do not desert them, do not be deterred by any hardship from saving their souls. (I, 138)

19.
Willingly perform the humblest chores. (III, 116)

20.
I praise you for the care of the church, that you grieve because it is neglected, but I trust that since you are there, it will not remain so for long. (I, 82)

21.
It seems to me that the worse a child is, the more it is necessary to work with her in order to help her overcome those evil tendencies. (II, 29)

22.
Visit and help the sick especially those who are most abandoned. (III, 116)

23.
Help everyone, especially those who resent you. (III, 115)

24.
Do all things with the intention of pleasing Jesus Christ. (III, 113)

25.
Let your love be like Christ’s love, revealing itself not only in feelings but in deeds. (III, 137)

26.
All the sisters will try to learn all the jobs of the peasants so that at all times and in all the works they could be a good example. This, above all else, will help to bring them close to the sisters. In this way the sisters will gain their confidence. (III, 156)

27.
The more the sisters will be given to external duties, the more they should attend to their spiritual exercises. (III, 198)

28.
(. . . ) our people are asking for us here where there is such a broad scope for services. As I deduce from the letter, the need there is not as great as it is here where evil is so rampant. The moral influence of the sisters is needed right here. (II, 222)

29.
This seems to me contrary to our vocation which obliges us to a dedication without limits. It certainly does not behoove the sisters to excuse themselves whenever they are called, unless there is a real impossibility. All the more, that in ministering to the sick, the sisters can bring help not only for the body but they can also influence the soul. (II, 240)

30.
Should they ask for our help in either visiting the sick or exerting a moral influence, we should not excuse ourselves. Let us not consider it a duty but only have a desire to serve. (III, 167)

DECEMBER

1.
All your deeds, thoughts and words belong to Him. It is your duty to strive to perform everything perfectly, for to the Spouses of Christ above all do these words of the Divine Master refer: “Be ye perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” (I, 90)

2.
I believe it would be best if we express our gratitude in silent prayer at the feet of Christ and His Blessed Mother. (II, 62)

3.
I am sure, (. . . ) that not only to me, but to every other, even the youngest sister, you will submit and obey in all things with equal faith, humility, love and joy as you do to me. (I, 97)

4.
Remember that your whole life ought to be a carrying out of that what you promised at your First Profession because not for those who promise but for those who keep their promises is eternal life assured. (III, 135)

5.
In all your endeavors have a good intention; do everything for God without being influenced by human respect. (III, 81)

6.
As long as Our Lord grants me life and strength, and obedience permits it, I am ready whether near or far to give you my counsel as often as you will need it. (I, 97)

7.
The grace of God is dependent not on guidance but on obedience. (I, 39)

8.
I am sure you realize that progress depends on the faithful and accurate observance of the rule, on performing spiritual exercises and on perfect obedience. (I, 147)

9.
Often entertain within yourself desires of constantly advancing towards perfection. (III, 116)

10.
Every religious is obliged to practice poverty, above all, every son and daughter of Saint Francis. He practiced this virtue in a special way, loved it above all others, desired it most, pursued it constantly and considered it the greatest treasure. (. . . ) He advocated this virtue in a special way to his spiritual sons and daughters and left it to them as a singular legacy. (III, 62)

11.
In your small works and difficulties, reflect on the anguishes of the Holy Martyrs and yours will become petty and insignificant. (III, 128)

12.
O my Holy Father! (. . .) You understood well that only the poor and those who are dispossessed of everything have the easiest access to a poor and stripped Christ; that his first blessing was for the poor; that this was his most beloved virtue; that it appealed most to his Sacred Heart. (III, 62)

13.
Christ practiced poverty from His birth to His death. He had nowhere to lay His head. He chose a poor virgin to be His Mother, poor fishermen to be His apostles and a poor carpenter to be His foster father. All of this showed you the beauty and the nobility of this virtue and encouraged you to strive after it. (III, 62)

14.
(. . .) the beauty of poverty is hidden. Many people cannot see beyond it or understand it except those who are blessed by God with this grace. (III, 63)

15.
I reflected, dear Father, upon the manner in which the Lord led you to this perfect understanding of the virtue and I could not help thinking that it was through love. Just as the love of Christ for His people stripped Him of His glory and majesty and led Him to leave the bliss of heaven for the utmost poverty and wretchedness of earth, so too, the love of Christ stripped you of worldly goods and led you to poverty and contempt. (III, 63)

16.
If you hear someone speaking about wealth, entertainment or fun, say to God: Lord, I do not desire anything but You. (III, 114)

17.
It is better that we feel financially insecure rather than if we had the largest funds guaranteed because our capital is in heaven and our Treasurer is God Himself. He will never disappoint us; His treasury will never run dry. (III, 64)

18.
Our congregation was founded and developed in poverty. The Sacred Heart evidently must be pleased because from the beginning up to this moment we have experienced the providential care of God and His obvious blessings. (III, 64)

19.
We should, therefore, not fear poverty as much as riches, so that the latter would not keep away from us the blessings of God. (III, 64)

20.
Humility draws down on us God’s grace because Scripture tell us that: God resists the proud but bestows His favor on the lowly. (III, 75)

21.
Many preach about humility but hardly anyone practices it. It is one thing to have an understanding and a desire for humility but another thing to really have it. We do not know whether we possess the virtue or not because in the long run it is circumstances that show us who we really are. (III, 76)

22.
A truly and perfectly obedient person does not get late, or when summoned, does not excuse herself by saying that she is busy or tired. (III, 127)

23.
I now resolve to bear every lack and inconvenience in silence without complaining or being irritated. (III, 103)

24.
Obedience, after all, is the shortest way through which one advances in all virtues. (III, 154)

25.
You now belong completely, exclusively, and totally to God. You are truly a Spouse of Jesus and now more than ever you are obliged to submit lovingly to His most Holy Will. (I, 27)

26.
Joined with a humble obedience [our good deeds] are pleasing to God even when they are lowly and small favors. (III, 127)

27.
I enclose you in the Hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. May they bless your every step, every action, your every thought, just as I, your unworthy mother but loving you in God, bless you and will not cease to bless you until the end of my life. (I, 162)

28.
Should it be difficult for a human being to be obedient for God’s sake in good and useful matters if Christ became obedient even unto death on the cross? (III, 126)

29.
Religious should renew their vows daily. The Doctors of the Church claim that whoever renews his/her vows, receives a plenary indulgence just as she/he did at the First Profession. (III, 116)

30.
Do we willingly bear for Him all trials such as: poverty, afflictions, illness and other misfortunes? Do adversities bring us closer to God or do they drive us away from Him? (III, 119)

31.
Follow the road of obedience and the regulations of the Congregation: these will lead you to God. It is not enough, however, to move forward; you must do it accurately and faithfully because all your happiness depends on perseverance. We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love God . . . (III, 121)