Fourth day of the novena in honor of St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Faith leads to love God and our sanctification
b. Faith safe and enlightening guide
As regards the efficacy of faith in the practice of the Christian life, Father Pius claims our attention mainly on two momentous points to advance along the paths of their own sanctification.First of all the soul guided by the spirit of faith knows who uses a gun, guarantee of victory: << And this is the victory that overcomes the world, your faith >> (1 Jn 5:4). In the battles of the spirit do not have the means preferably natural and human, which are of limited effectiveness, but rather the supernatural and transcendent, is acting in God and with God, who has given his word. And so the soul must never forget:
• Be calm and << rekindle our faith, your trust in God. Be humble and submissive to the divine will and nothing will harm your spirit >> (30-10-1915, III, 149.• << Yes, my dear, do not be discouraged if the test status is always "in crescendo". You believe and put your heart up, and you can be sure, that there is no fear of loss >> (22-10-1916, III, 400).• << always rekindle your faith and never abandon it, she never leaves the man, let alone the soul who vehemently want to love God >> (28-21915, II, 361)• << Up, up the hearts! Ascend to the throne of God, here is not fought with strength of body, but by virtue of the soul; here rises to victory with no steel weapons, but with prayer, faith remains here until the end of the test [...]. Avivemos our faith and we present the resounding victory recorded in the sacred pages >> (14-10-1915, II, 517).
Besides who lives by faith learns to contemplate all things as the mood of the vision of God; discover mode regulated in accordance with the principles of the Gospel and therefore judges everything, people, things and events, realities and transitional quotas through a supernatural perspective. And so faith is the sure guide to think and speak, to love and act.
• Always dispose ourselves << recognize all life events wise order of divine providence, adorémosla and do our will always and everywhere be informed of God, so glorify the Father in heaven and all we will be advantageous for eternal life >> (23-2-1915, II, 341).• << In all life events l recognize divine will, adore the Eucharist, bendecidla. Especially in the hardest things for you, be not solicitous to seek the release >> (03.04.1915, II, 570).• << at the top [of the soul] resides on his throne as the spirit of faith that should comfort you in misery. How happy are those souls who live by faith, that all adore the righteous judgments of God and saints who rejoice in affliction and wormwood make honey becomes >> (25-7-1917, III, 809 )
c. Propagation of the Faith
Finally, faith is a free gift and of a size that forces the soul always thank the divine benefactor; especially considering situated facing so many others who have not been enlightened by this extraordinary light and could not enjoy their clarity.The soul does not want and can not enjoy one of this gift. So with missionary spirit to contribute to spreading this realm of faith, using the known trilogy: prayer, sacrifice, testimony with words, with prayers, with the offerings. And particularly with the priests heralds of the gospel and all those in the Church who are committed to spread and defend the faith.
• << you thank tirelessly liberality of a good parent and plead with him ever increasingly accretive in your heart the holy charity. Not all are called by God to save souls and spread his glory through the apostolate of preaching, and you should know that this is not the only way to meet these two great ideals. The soul can spread the glory of God and work for the salvation of souls by a truly Christian life, praying unceasingly to the Lord "your kingdom come", his most holy name "be holy," which "does not allow the temptation" to "deliver us from evil."This is what you also must do, offering you fully and continuously yourselves to the Lord for this purpose. Pray for the treacherous, pray for the lukewarm, pray for those fervent, but especially pray for the Pope, for all spiritual and temporal needs of the Church, our tender Mother, and a special prayer for all those who work for salvation of souls and for the glory of God in missions among the infidels and unbelievers.Again flight to exhort you to consecrate whole pro and all those souls to which this company can induce saving, with the assurance that this is the more excellent ministry that a soul can be performed in the Church of God >> (11-4-1914, II, 70-71).• Thank God << hundred times a day have become the daughter of the Church, following the example of many saints of our brothers who have preceded us in this our pilgrimage. Ten great compassion for all pastors, preachers and spiritual directors, scattered throughout the land, because there is no province in the world where there are none. Pray to God for them, so that saving themselves, seek the salvation of souls fruitfully >> (27-1-1918, III, 707, cf 839)
In accordance with these principles cheered and encouraged his spiritual daughters to engage in external works of apostolate so that all Christians come to know and appreciate the riches of the faith professed in holy baptism.• << Regarding what you say about these girls teach the catechism, I have no objection. You therefore my approval and blessing >> (8-11-1916, III, 457).• Bendigo << wholeheartedly the work of catechizing children, who are the favorite flowers of Jesus. Bendigo also the work of the wardens of the missionary works >> (10-3-1923, III, 457).• << approve the collaborators you to win souls for Jesus, teaching them how to please >> (15-6-1923, III, 459).
Lord our GodFather of mercies and God of all comfortGrant us the light of the Holy SpiritTo believe, love and awarenessIn your Holy Son.You who live and reign,For ever and ever. Amen.
Pray three Our Fathers, three Hail Mary and Glory Be ...Closing Prayer:
Oh God that St. Pio of PietrelcinaCapuchin priestyou have given the signal privilegeto participate in a wonderful wayin the passion of your Son,grant us through her intercession,identify in the death of Christto share in his resurrection.Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.