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Truly, I have a tremendous dignity (the Lord explained) as a practicing Catholic in a state of grace who can be confident of my every prayer being heard and answered. It's as if my arms reach out to Heaven, as the Father holds out His arms to greet me.

The happy group of friends at the party gave joy to God through their grace before the meal, their faithfulness to marriage and to friendship, their love of God's gifts of laughter, food, drink and music, as men and women together celebrated a birthday and therefore life itself, which is a gift - from God.

Those who try to live independent of God, His Church, and His laws, are living as if on a sheet of melting ice. A broad road nearby leads to Hell, whereas a steep path leads to a fruitful land at the top of a mountain, which represents a state of grace.

The souls of those who live in serious sin, without following God's laws and the Church's teachings, are like a sea of melting ice, in which there is no hope of life; the souls of those in a 'state of grace', however, are like a land of fruit trees, cornfields, rivers and blue skies, far above the icy wastes, close to a mountain whose top lies in heaven.

God does not 'like' to see us suffer, just as God the Father did not like to see His Son suffer on earth; yet that suffering of Jesus was part of the plan which They - with the Holy Spirit - accomplished, so that salvation would be possible for the whole human race; and we too are sometimes asked to bear a few dreadful trials for a special purpose.

God does not 'like' to see us suffer, just as God the Father did not like to see His Son suffer on earth; yet that suffering of Jesus was part of the plan which They - with the Holy Spirit - accomplished, so that salvation would be possible for the whole human race; and we too are sometimes asked to bear a few dreadful trials for a special purpose.

It is important to persevere in prayer even during sickness. It draws graces upon the sick person - even if the prayers must be wordless or abbreviated. It helps others directly - and indirectly, when the sick person sets a good example to healthy people tempted not to pray.

God pours out into our souls tremendous graces when we confess our sins in the Sacrament of Penance. As a dirty room needs cleaning right into the corners, so our souls need purifying in every 'area' - by the grace of Christ, Who is at work in His Church.

We are right to honour Mary, the Blessed Virgin, through whom the Father gave us His Son, and all the graces we receive in the Church, especially in the Holy Eucharist. We would be right to surmount a 'Mary-style' tabernacle with an image of Christ in glory.

The graces that God pours out upon souls at the mention of Jesus' name in our prayers are like a 'rain' of emeralds, rubies and other precious stones in earthly life. We all ought to pray in His name, so that spiritual treasures will enrich those we love, and people in need.

When people slide 'downhill' into mortal sin, it is impossible to regain the 'heights' of holiness without God's grace. We must beware of yearning for the whole world, only to lose our souls.

Christ brushed my shoulder, as He assured me that our minor failings are like little bits of dust on a smart suit, as we approach Him for Holy Communion. The important thing is to be properly clothed. The suit represents the 'state of grace' we should be in.

Whenever we intercede for someone, in Jesus' name, it's as though a ray of light and grace from Heaven pierces the dark 'cloud' of sin and self-love over our world, to touch the life of someone in need of help.

Christ sees that humble people are willing to benefit from the customs and sacramentals of the Church, in order to gain extra graces, receive Divine protection, and feel assured of certain help from God and the Saints and Angels.

A person trapped in sin can benefit from the prayers of other people on her behalf. Through them, God can shine a light on that sinner's life and actions, so she can see things clearly, and decide to change. God is merciful - but some people refuse to act in response to His love.

If we speak about the teachings of the Church, about faith and morality, we may meet with anger or indifference. It is not comfortable speaking out with a prophetic voice.

Whether in church, when we cannot receive Holy Communion, or at home or elsewhere, when we long for closer union with Christ, we please Christ and help ourselves - by His grace - whenever we make a Spiritual Communion. By an act of faith in Christ, with an act of contrition and a request for a spiritual communion, we can be sure that Christ is very close to us, even if unfelt, unseen.

The Lord showed me a series of posters which represented the many subjects studied in Catholic schools. If the children don't learn spiritual truths, however, they will be lost. They need to know about God's love for them, and their unique worth; and also about the importance of prayer, the sacraments, holy living, the Mass, and perseverance in grace until death.

When a person lives only to satisfy his appetites, and even treats a child with disdain and cruelty, it is as though he is separated from God by hundreds of miles of impenetrable cloud. It would take a miracle of grace to touch his heart and soul, and change him.

When a man lives only to satisfy his own appetites, and even treats a child with cruelty, he needs a miracle of grace, if he is to be changed and one day to be ready for Heaven, not Hell - to live amongst the Saints and Angels.