May 1st
Chapter Five
Prayers for God's Forgiveness

Whenever you commit a fault, cast yourself at once at the feet of your loving God and ask pardon.  Consider that God is so inclined to forgive sinners that God weeps over their loss.  God welcomes back anyone who has gone astray.  O, would that sinners knew with what tenderness God waits to welcome them and to grant them pardon.  If only they would realize that God is calling to them:  "You who have sinned, how I long to embrace you and to press you to my heart."

God goes so far as to speak through the prophet and say:  "Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow"....we know that God stands behind all promises and loves us.

When a person repents God declares, "I will forgive all your sins."  When you fall, turn at once to God, make an act of love, confidently hope for pardon and say:  "One whom you love is sick.  Heal me for I have sinned against you.  I know that you do not wish me to lose heart, that you still wish me well.  I am sorry, my God, help me not to sin again.  Forgive me.  Give me strength to be faithful in the future."

If you remain discouraged and troubled after you fall, your confidence in God will diminish.  You will not be able to converse with God, and your desire to love God will become cold....

On the other hand, if you turn to God at once to ask pardon and promise to do better, your very falling will help you to grow in God's love.  At once, turn to God after you have been unfaithful, Even though it be the hundredth time in a day, and you will find peace again....

I love you, Jesus, my Love, above all things.  I repent with my whole heart of having offended you.  Never permit me to separate myself from you again.  Grant that I may love you always and then do with me what you will.

O Lord, put an end to my ingratitude.  Grant that this day may be the day of my thorough conversion, so that I may begin to love you and may never cease loving you.  Help me to surrender all my desires in order that I may live only for you.

Mary, you have always perfectly followed the will of God.  Help me by your prayers to do God's will for the rest of my life.