Wake Up Call to Priests and Consecrated Souls

Divine Appeal Reflection - 239

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 239: "The souls I entrusted souls and all those consecrated to Me, if they do not change their lives and become humble and charitable and detached from the vanity of the world, will perish in My Divine Justice."

It begins in the silence after Mass, in the routine of daily liturgy, in the flicker of distraction during the Divine Office, and in the fatigue that turns a holy vocation into mere habit. A priest scrolls endlessly through his phone late at night. A religious sister becomes possessive of her comforts and overly attentive to appearances. A seminarian starts measuring his worth by public praise rather than interior growth. These scenarios, so familiar and seemingly small, are where spiritual compromise quietly creeps in. In Divine Appeal 238, our Adorable Jesus cries out to His chosen souls—His priests, His consecrated ones—warning that if they do not turn away from pride, comfort, and vanity, they will fall under the weight of His Divine Justice. This is not a condemnation—it is love that wounds to awaken.

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux warned that the devil does not begin by tempting a monk to break his vows, but by convincing him to ease them. The same happens to priests and religious: not through great scandals at first, but through small resignations—less prayer, more self, subtle indulgence in praise, and then the heart cools toward God. Saint Alphonsus Liguori, writing to confessors, reminded them that to save others, they must first save their own souls, living with detachment and deep intimacy with Christ. The Catechism teaches that consecrated life is a sign that heaven is real, that God is worth everything (cf. CCC 933). Yet when the vanity of the world sneaks in—through admiration, status, and comfort—the light dims. Saint Clare of Assisi, in her cloistered silence, shone more brightly than kings because her soul was completely detached and burning with divine love.

Saint John of the Cross warned that the devil rejoices when a soul bound to Christ clings to anything more than God. This could be the admiration of parishioners, the security of a well-furnished rectory, or even the subtle pride of appearing “holy.” Our Adorable Jesus entrusted these souls not only with sacred duties but with the care of immortal souls. If they fall, others stumble. If they grow cold, the flock wanders. Scripture reminds us that judgment begins with the household of God (cf. 1 Peter 4:17), and saints like Padre Pio lived this truth—his life marked by sacrifice, not comfort; constant confession, not complacency.

Divine Appeal 238 is Christ’s burning heart pleading with His own: return to Me. He does not demand perfection but authenticity. He calls His priests to leave behind performance and rediscover prayer, to exchange routine for reverence, and to put down the mirror of vanity for the basin of service. He calls religious sisters and brothers to renew their first love, to remember the joy of poverty freely chosen, to live not for applause but for adoration, to rekindle the fire of their first “yes.” And if they do, His justice becomes mercy, His correction becomes glory, and their ministry becomes the flame that rekindles the Church.

Prayer

O Adorable Jesus, set fire to the hearts of Your priests and consecrated souls. Strip away their vanity, renew their humility, and restore their love for You alone. May they reflect Your mercy, not the world’s pride. And in we hope, pray, and believe—for their renewal and the salvation of all souls. Amen.

Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.