Diary. Mother Esperanza of Jesus

A collection of dated writings is usually called a “Diary.” Together with other manuscripts by the Mother, such as circular letters, prayers, reflections, and other texts, they are contained in her notebooks. The first begins with the following statement: “Account written solely in obedience to my spiritual director, Father Antonio Naval, a religious of the Congregation of the Heart of Mary.” These texts constitute a particular Diary of 527 brief dated writings, ranging from October 30, 1927, to October 4, 1957; after that date, we have only three notes: September 30, 1959, October 26, 1961, and September 17, 1962. The Mother felt inspired to recount in these notes everything that could demonstrate that the initiative, the project of a religious family, and the doctrine of Merciful Love came from God and that He Himself guided this project; in fact, on January 2, 1928, she wrote: “So that it may be clearer that it is He alone who accomplishes such great things, so beneficial to His Church and to souls.” The Mother had to follow a very difficult ascetic path in order to be completely available to God and so that He could ask of her whatever He wished. In this regard, on January 5, 1928, she wrote: “Good Jesus asked me - and, I would dare say, imposed on me - the obligation to aspire to greater perfection so that He could ask me for what He so greatly desires.” L'Amore Misericordioso Editions