MAGGIE MCKENNA
STAFF WRITER
On Oct. 18, the Rev. Michael Gaitley, MIC, author of “33 Days to Morning Glory,” visited Franciscan University’s campus to share the message of the Lord’s merciful love.
In his newest book, “33 Days to Merciful Love,” Gaitley provides a template for consecration to Divine Mercy. Inspired by the spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Gaitley emphasizes the importance of trust when it comes to receiving Divine Mercy.
According to Gaitley, Thérèse suffered from emotional and psychological trauma. She often wondered how she could ever reach the saintly holiness that her heart so longed for, since her soul was too poor and little to “climb the rough stairway of perfection.” However, Thérèse discovered another way to holiness, a “Little Way.”
“In this Year of Mercy, God is giving us some shortcuts to holiness,” Gaitley explained. “This radical emphasis on trust which marks the Little Way of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and also the way of Divine Mercy from St. Faustina, that is our shortcut to holiness: trust.”
Gaitley helped explain how it is true that all are called to be saints. “We may suffer from brokenness and sin in our lives, but God can cleanse us in an instant,” he said.
So what is consecration to merciful love? In Gaitley’s words, “It is to ask Jesus, ‘Jesus, for the sake of consoling your heart, give to me all of your rejected mercy that other people don’t want.’ And he gives it. And it is beautiful.”
One of the students in attendance, junior Holly Tennyson, said, “So many of us get bogged down in our own guilt and shame; it is good to be reminded of the faithfulness of God’s mercy, and how he is able to make any of us into a saint.”
Free copies of 33 Days to Merciful Love were given to the students in attendance.
Senior Deirdre Taylor said, “This powerful message came at such a perfect time, right before the end of the Year of Mercy. If we start the consecration tomorrow, we’ll end on the last day (of the Year of Mercy), and that’s beautiful.”
According to Gaitley, the consecration to Merciful Love is a powerful way to to console the heart of Jesus and to grow in trust and love of God.