Page 129 - Virgin

profoundly, and prayed for a long time. Our prayer was so fervent and

recollected as to open the Heavens, draw and bind the Celestial Father,
and therefore hasten the reconciliation between Him and men.

Now, my child, I want to confide to you a pain that tortures Me.

Unfortunately, there are many who go to church to pray, but the prayer

that they direct to God remains on their lips, because their hearts and
minds flee far away from Him. How many go to church out of pure habit,

or to spend time uselessly. They close Heaven, instead of opening It.

And how numerous are the irreverences committed in the house of
God! How many scourges would be spared in the world, and how many

chastisements would convert into graces, if all souls strived to imitate
our example.

Only the prayer that springs from a soul in whom the Divine Will reigns,

acts in an irresistible way over the Heart of God. It is so powerful as to

conquer Him, and to obtain the greatest graces from Him. Therefore,
take care to live in the Divine Will, and your Mama, who loves you, will

give to your prayer the rights of Her powerful intercession.

After we had fulfilled our duty in the Temple and celebrated the
Passover, we prepared to return to Nazareth. In the confusion of the

crowd, we were separated; I remained with the women, and Joseph

joined the men. I looked around to see whether my dear Jesus had
come with Me, but not seeing Him, I thought He had remained with his

father Joseph. But what was not the surprise and the consternation I felt

when, as we arrived at the place at which we were to reunite, I did not
see Him at his side. Unaware of what had happened, we felt such fright

and such pain that we both remained mute. Overcome with sorrow, we

went back hurriedly, anxiously asking those whom we met: “O please!
tell us if you have seen Jesus, our Son, for we cannot live without Him.”

And, crying, we would describe His features: “He is all lovable; His

beautiful azure eyes sparkle with light and speak to the heart; His gaze
strikes, enraptures, enchains; His forehead is majestic; His face is

beautiful, of an enchanting beauty; His most sweet voice descends

129