I must confess I could not remember much from Sr Faustia’s talk at the Divine Mercy Shrine in Krakow, Poland. Earlier in the morning of 12 June 2018, we were totally wasted at the WieliczkaSalt Mine and after lunch, we were only thinking of Divine Sleep… However, Sr Faustia continued to speak with love and conviction despite seeing many of us “nodding”. Throughout our brief encounter with her, her divine smile never left her and I could feel it reaching to the very depths of my being with an incredible joy that is definitely unearthly. Sr Faustia attributed her amazing life to the Diary of St Faustina and I wasted no time in getting a copy from the bookstore and started reading it. I am still reading it but I am already inspired with the first few chapters, so I highly recommend it to everyone who wishes to grow in holiness and joy. In our modern world of distractions and digital deluge, we really don’t need more eloquent speeches or articles – Sr Faustia showed...

These days, I often hear Christians say things like "better to fast from bad habits" or "more important to be kind" whenever the topic of Fasting comes up. True, we should not neglect being kind and must always avoid sin but that does not mean fasting is no longer useful for our spiritual growth. In the days of Jesus, fasting is an important practice and Jesus Himself encourages it ( Matthew 6:16-17 ). In fact, He fasted for 40 days before beginning His ministry. So there must be something very beneficial (besides slimming down!) for our soul when we fast! On Ash Wednesday this year, I fasted the Catholic way: couple slices of plain bread + plain water . It was not easy, so I ate a little rice with vegetables at dinner time; I was surprised how yummy the simple meal tasted!! So for me, fasting helps to remind me not to take things for granted and to appreciate the countless blessings that I received daily! The hunger pains also enable me to better empath...

[Note: This story is extracted from Nil Guillemette's "All the Days of our Life - God Tales For Young And Old (Volume 21)". All illustrations are original drawings by my talented niece Yang Lin .] Charming young Alison had three distinguishing traits. The first of these was a great fear of God. Now we are not talking here about the quality expressed in the old fashioned expression "God-fearing,” which means: devout, pious. Nor are we referring to the oft-quoted biblical phrase: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). For indeed, in the Bible the word "fear” denotes a love full of respect; the persons who "fear” God always take him and his word as the basis of their actions. No, Alison’s fear of God was of a completely different nature. Quite simply put, she was afraid of God, and especially of God’s anger.   So much so that she had nightmares about God’s anger and would wake up in a cold sweat. How she ...

I am writing this reflection while travelling on a coach from Lourdes to Barcelona. It was spiritually uplifting to visit Lourdes; to drink from the miracle spring, to celebrate the Eucharist at the spot where Mother Mary appeared to St Bernadette, to take the holy bath & to join in the candlelight procession. But what struck me most is this little haven that is free from the massive crowds characteristic of this Marian sanctuary: It was here in the confessional that l encountered God's great mercy and love; it is here where the soul can be healed from its spiritual paralysis! I wondered where were the multitudes... Many wanted to be healed physically & be given blessings but how many are willing to repent & give themselves back to God? "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16