souls – hugsnblessings

double the mercy!

Published on April 11, 2026April 11, 2026 by Dawn MarieLeave a comment

What a glorious Weekend of celebrating good friends!

To my delight, on back-to-back dates, two of my favorite gal-pal Saints are being recognized & celebrated worldwide because of the beautiful ways in which they have loved & trusted in, the Lord.

Today, April 11, is the Feast day of my Saint friend, St. Gemma Galgani, whom I have written of before. And tomorrow we shall celebrate the special merits of my other gal-pal, St. Faustina!

This year (2026) marks the 123rd year since Saint Gemma’s holy death on April 11, 1903. Countless souls over the years have been greatly inspired and edified by Gemma’s fervent love for Jesus and Mary. Her heart was all on fire with the love of Jesus, His mercy, and the love of souls and she expressed her love for Him so well in her writings. Jesus was everything to Gemma and she loved Him with all of her being and because of this many souls throughout the world have found Gemma to be a most lovable Saint whom they admire and in whose tender love they seek to imitate.

Count me in!

I began praying with St. Gemma in 2009 her favorite holy hour. In her Autobiography and Diary we read that Gemma made this Holy Hour every Thursday night, in honor of our Lord’s Passion and sufferings in the Garden. She made this Holy Hour faithfully each week until her death.

For those who begin reading her life and writings (diary, autobiography, letters, ecstasies etc) soon become enraptured by her and are greatly inspired by this “Gem of Jesus”, and often such souls soon begin calling upon her in prayer asking for her intercession, and by doing so many have found her to be a very powerful and devoted friend and heavenly advocate.

Count me in!

“You see, my Jesus, that I have such great confidence in You that if I saw the gates of Hell open and I stood on the brink of the abyss, I should not despair. And even if I saw heaven and hell against me, still I would not despair of Your mercy, because I would put my faith in You. You are so compassionate, so merciful!” ~ St. Gemma Galgani

May St. Gemma continue to inspire souls and lead them ever closer to Jesus. May her life of sacrifice and love continue to bear fruit for us and may she continue to obtain heavenly graces for those who call upon her in prayer, especially those most in need in Jesus’ mercy.

St Gemma, pray for us!

Count me in!

hugs n’ blessings for the special company we keep!

ROArrrrrrrrrr!

Published on October 31, 2016February 8, 2017 by Dawn Marie9 Comments

it’s the monday giggles…

“They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.”

Hosea 11:10

The Lion

If you are attacked by a lion:

Find fresh underpants,

lay on the ground quite still,

pretend you are very ill,

keep like that day after day,

perhaps the lion will go away.

by Spike Milligan

“It’s the circle of life, and it moves us all, through despair and hope, through faith and love. Till we find our place, on the path unwinding. In the circle, the circle of life! “

(Now she just needs a big rock to stand on!)

“Hakuna Matata! AND happy All Hallows’ Eve!

Sticky fingers,

Tired feet,

I hope you’ll stop at my house

for a ROArrrrring great treat!!

(Giggles.)

hugs n’ blessings & many All Souls day prayers & wishes!

O God, Lord of mercies, grant to the souls of Your servants and handmaids, the place of refreshment, the bliss of etrnal rest and the splendor of Your Light.

pillars of light

Published on June 17, 2015June 17, 2015 by Dawn MarieLeave a comment

It’s another Wednesday for Saint Maria Faustina KoWalska (what else,) with a brief reflection on the Divine Mercy of God:

“I see now that my deeds which have flowed from love are more perfect than those which I have done out of fear.” St. Faustina

838 + I marvel…Only God can give one such courage; otherwise one would give up. But I see with joy that all these adversities contribute to God’s greater glory. The Lord has few such souls. O infinite eternity, you will make manifest the efforts of heroic souls, because the earth rewards their efforts with hatred and ingratitude. Such souls do not have friends; they are solitary. (223) And in this solitude, they gain strength; they draw their strength from God alone. With humility, but also with courage, they stand firmly in the face of all the storms that beat upon them. Like high-towering oaks, they are unmoved. And in this there is just this one secret: that it’s from God that they draw this strength, and everything whatsoever they have need of, they have for themselves and for others. They not only carry their own burden, but also know how to take on, and are capable of taking on, the burdens of others. They are pillars of light along God’s ways; they live in light themselves and shed light upon others. They themselves live on the heights, and know how to show the way to lesser ones and help them attain those heights. -St. Faustina’s Diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul

Father God, continue to strength those who fall under scrunity for walking in your light. Give them the fortitude to trust in the heart You have given them, that they may never sacrifice Your love for love of man! If they are misunderstood or persecuted give them the courage to draw nearer to You, finding comfort by trusting in Your ways…always. For although we may struggle to walk in your light, and darkness may try to over-shadow us; we know that You are the way, the truth, and the ever-lasting light. Use us in all ways to shine light upon YOU! Amen.