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Finding Peace in the Storm
the end of this book. It provides resources for you
to take concrete steps toward knowing the peace
that St. Alphonsus reveals here and that Jesus has
promised. In this book, we are gaining invaluable
clarity regarding truths about God and about us.
What we often need are practical steps we can take
to ultimately and fully know and embrace the truth
that will truly set us free.
Accustoming themselves to receive all things from the
hands of God, says St. Dorotheus, 3 the men of old maintained
continual serenity of soul. St. Mary Magdalene
of Pazzi 4 derived such consolation at hearing the words
will of God that she usually fell into an ecstasy of love.
The instances of jangling irritation that are bound to
arise will not fail to make surface impact on the senses.
This, however, will be experienced only in the inferior
part of the soul; in the superior part will reign peace and
tranquility as long as our will remains united with God’s.
Our Lord assured His apostles: Your joy no man shall take
from you. . . . Your joy shall be full. He who unites his will
to God’s experiences a full and lasting joy: full, because
he has what he wants, as was explained above; lasting,
because no one can take his joy from him, since no one
can prevent what God wills from happening.
3
Possibly the sixth-century monk St. Dorotheus of Gaza.
4
St. Mary Magdalene of Pazzi (1566–1607) was an Italian Carmelite
nun who received many ecstasies and graces from God.
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