I invite you to explore the interior dialogues of the modern Polish mystic Alicja Lenczewska. This new Q&A series delves into her journals to offer Jesus’s direct guidance on a plethora of themes: the discernment of God’s will, pride, the Devil’s traps, humility, sacrifice, and discovering God’s presence in our neighbour.
If possible, the author, with the consent of the Editor, will try to ensure that at least one article appears each month. For reasons beyond our control, the first trial article in this series—although it should have appeared at the beginning of Lent—is, exceptionally, being published at the end of it.
On November 20, 2011, after a sudden worsening of her cancer symptoms, Alicja Lenczewska handed over the original typescript and gave her consent for its photocopying and dissemination as circumstances and the discernment of God’s will allow, for the editing and use of its fragments, and for printed publication in official circulation, provided that these texts are regarded as inspired and are not used for commercial purposes.
As Catholics, we are often taught that Lent is a time when we make sacrifices and give things up. Therefore, at the beginning of the season, nearly everyone makes some resolutions: going on a prayer walk each day; abstaining from TV; reading the Gospel each morning; or even drinking only water or fasting from all bread except the Eucharist on Fridays. When this Holy Time ends, many realize they have failed to keep their resolutions. Let us now journey through what God advised Alicja Lenczewska in this regard.
The Goal Is Divine Contemplation
(Sunday, December 4, 1994)
† Certain words or deeds, when motivated by a strong intention, have an efficacious and prophetic power, though this is often unrecognized at the moment of their occurrence.
Keep yourself apart from others.
Cast away all harmful images and thoughts.
Free yourself from everything that may bring frivolity, attachment, or care into your life.
Constantly lift your heart toward hidden Divine contemplation; keep Me always before your eyes and never turn your gaze away from Me.
This contemplation should also be the goal of other exercises, such as poverty, fasting, vigils, and all other mortifications. Practice them only to the extent that they assist you in striving toward it.
Be Holy in Your Interactions
(Thursday, February 7, 2008)
“But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days” (Luke 5:35)
† Everything that happens to you, every treatment from anyone, is by My permission or directly by My action.
Remember this and know that your behaviour and reactions toward people close to you or strangers are behaviours toward Me.
And your looking at others is looking at Me. Your thoughts about another person are thoughts that strike at Me or comfort Me.
My Love is greater than any pain and, if it is not consciously rejected, it triumphs.
How to Sacrifice during Lent
(Monday, November 4, 2008)
—How to prepare for Lent?
† Your external deeds are not the most important; what matters is your inner attitude—the works you create in your soul—for these give birth to outward deeds.
Your thoughts about yourself, others, and Me—your intentions and spiritual attitudes—are real works, more real than the works visible in the external world, which should only reflect what is in your soul and heart. True works, which will not pass away, are deeds of the spirit: your thoughts and inclinations—your spiritual activity and its direction.
† Who is the inspirer of this activity? What does it look like? What fruits does it bring? What does it change in your relationship to Me, to people, to the world, to yourself?
What do you do with My gifts: the gift of life, time, daily circumstances?
Here is your program—your examination of conscience.
(Friday, February 15, 2002)
— Jesus, what should my fast look like?
† This is to be a fast of the heart, not of the stomach—abiding with God in love and opening your heart to people. The world is filled with evil, but through your love it can be made better. Bestow kindness and goodness on everyone; offer them to God through Mary—a mother, tender and loving toward her children.
(Friday, February 8, 2008)
† This time of fasting will be wasted if you cannot bury it together with Christ. To bury it means living as if dead to the world, offered up for your neighbors, for the glory of God in them.
The dialogues originate in the mystic’s second journal. Our faith today is different from what it was yesterday, and it will be different tomorrow. Therefore, the bar has been set slightly higher, although certain issues recur. To Alicja, now advanced in years, Jesus appears far less frequently, and she hears His instructions less often. Yet their message is more demanding than what appears in the first volume of her works. Whether they reach the reader—let him judge for himself.
Author’s Note: Excerpts taken from Alicja Lenczewska, A Word of Instruction (Slowo Pouczenia), published by Wydawnictwo Agape (Poznań, 2016).
Photo by Tom Barrett on Unsplash
