Paolo ends his retreat in a state of delightful unity with God : “Through the infinite love of our dear God I was raised up in spirit to great recollection and many tears especially after holy Communion during which I felt keenly the sweetness of Holy Love. It seemed to me that I was melting away in God….. I also had knowledge of the soul united in a bond of love to the sacred Humanity and at the same time dissolved and raised to the deep and conscious, felt knowledge of the Divinity. For since Jesus is both God and Man the soul cannot be united in love to the Sacred Humanity without being at the same time dissolved and brought to a deep and conscious, felt knowledge of the Divinity. 
    This wondrous and exulted marvel cannot possibly be set down or explained, even by one who has experienced it. It is impossible because the soul understands that God wills these gentle experiences and exceedingly high marvels because He who is infinite helps the soul to understand these things— but to describe them afterwards is utterly impossible. These are things which are experienced and comprehended in an instant, at least so it seems to the soul; for even if they should last for a full thousand years, it would in my opinion, seem less than an instant because the soul is in its infinite good. It desires nothing else but His glory and His love and that He be feared and loved by all. I have had other very special graces especially in contemplating the holy mystery of the Circumcision. Likewise, when serving Mass I had such a deep light on the great love which God displays towards me, and on my misery, my ingratitude,  my whole life, that I did not venture even to raise my eyes to look upon the picture of Mary— and always with abundance of tears mingled with great sweetness especially on seeing my Spouse, Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament.” 

Berta’s entry: Dear Jesus, today was our last day with Paul Daneo. For him and for us it is a day of luminous blessings, joy, and a knowledge of how much we are loved. I’d like to thank Paul Daneo for the guidance we have received through his entries. I grew to understand the founder of the Passionist order in a more personal way. But, Lord Jesus, the one that deserves the “thank you” is You, my God. You set this up and You guided us through these 40 days. There are no words to express the amount of love and gratitude that I feel for You, my Lord! You made it possible for me to find You thanks to a Passionist missionary, 9 years ago, and You haven’t let go since.  Keep helping me to reach You. I want to be rejoicing in Your Peace for all my life and beyond! May the Passion of Jesus Christ Be Always in Our Hearts.

Orlando’s entry: Paul Daneo would spend the rest of his life convincing everyone he met, preached to, or wrote to, that the spiritual marvels that he experienced were possible for every human being, because God loves us so much. For 300 years his Passionist followers have done the same. This is something worth celebrating. The 300th Year of Jubilee is a joyful affirmation of the Love that God is and feels for us. How can we experience it? Well, like Our Lord says, “Come and see”. I invite you to read more about St Paul of the Cross and read his writings during this year of “Gratitude, Prophecy, and Hope”. Let us renew ourselves in this Fountain of Love. May the Passion of Christ Be Always in Our Hearts!