The Divine Will And Total Surrender

A Common Thread Between Don Dolindo Ruotolo and Luisa Piccarreta

In the spiritual writings of the 20th century Catholic mystics Don Dolindo Ruotolo (1882-1970) and Luisa Piccarreta (1865-1947), we find a profound and recurring theme – that of living and resting in the Divine Will. Though they lived in different parts of Italy and likely never met in person, a strong thematic connection can be traced between these two holy figures based on this key element at the heart of their spiritual teachings.  

In Don Dolindo’s writings, particularly in his commentary on Luke 9, we find beautiful expositions on the call to “be transformed into Christ Jesus” by accepting His redemption and making it the very “life of our life through the Sacraments” (Don Dolindo, commentary on Luke 9). Don Dolindo speaks of the “great teaching” of Christ’s Transfiguration, where we too are called to “transfigure ourselves for Him and in Him into new creatures” (Don Dolindo, commentary on Luke 9). This transfiguration happens within us through the Holy Eucharist – “the mountain we must ascend in prayer and where, by receiving Jesus, we must transfigure ourselves” (Don Dolindo, commentary on Luke 9). He describes the soul “shining before God” in those moments of intimate Communion (Don Dolindo, commentary on Luke 9).

However, Don Dolindo is clear that this inner transfiguration comes primarily through carrying our cross and through “the daily Calvary of life” (Don Dolindo, commentary on Luke 9). It is the purifying trials, he says, that enlighten our spirit and allow us to truly “converse in the heavens” (Don Dolindo, commentary on Luke 9). Don Dolindo teaches that we find true peace and are elevated upwards when we do God’s Will even amidst difficulties – “as God pleases, because He alone knows what is useful for us to transfigure ourselves into living songs of His glory” (Don Dolindo, commentary on Luke 9). This mystical transfiguration comes through docility and surrender to God's Will.

In her diaries, Luisa Piccarreta speaks extensively about living in the Divine Will. Also, according to Grazia Ruotolo’s book, “Gesù Pensaci Tu”, Adriana Pallotti recounted how Don Dolindo would rest deeply on hearing about the Divine Will (Grazia Ruotolo and Luciano Regolo, “Gesù Pensaci Tu”). This "ability to rest well in the Divine Will" was a special gift both mystics shared (Grazia Ruotolo and Luciano Regolo, “Gesù Pensaci Tu”). What does this restfulness signify and how does it connect to transfiguration?

For both Don Dolindo and Luisa, the Divine Will is the mystery of Christ Himself living in the soul. As Don Dolindo wrote, “He comes into us and infuses His life; in those precious moments we shine before God” (Don Dolindo, commentary on Luke 9). When the human will is surrendered to the Divine - “as God pleases” - there comes a deep repose where one is inhabited by God and “elevated upwards” (Don Dolindo, commentary on Luke 9). As Luisa’s writings detail, this produces a divine “operating” from within that empties the soul of self so that God may act freely.  

Thus, transfiguration consists in letting go of the human will to be immersed and hidden in Christ’s mysteries. Don Dolindo and Luisa point to this same mystical reality - the soul radiant before God, letting Christ live fully within by doing His Will in all things. The Divine Will places the soul in a wonderful “rest” where it communes with the heavens.

For both mystics, this has a clear purpose – the redemption of the world. Don Dolindo writes that Christ’s Passion is a “wound” which "tore open His flesh" to save humanity, a wound reopened by ongoing hatred, violence and wars (Grazia Ruotolo and Luciano Regolo, “Gesù Pensaci Tu”). Hence for him and Luisa, resting in God’s Will includes participating in Christ’s redemptive work through offering one’s sufferings united to Him. As Don Dolindo wrote, “It is good for us to be in the heights of the divine Will” for by doing God’s Will, “we become the object of His pleasure” (Don Dolindo, commentary on Luke 9). Living in the Divine Will means allowing Christ to operate His redemption unceasingly through us.

In their mystical wisdom, Don Dolindo Ruotolo and Luisa Piccarreta shed light on the profound truth of the Divine Will and our call to be transfigured in Christ Jesus. By heeding their words, may we enter into the “rest” of the Divine Will, allowing God to “transfigure us into living songs of His glory” that share in Christ’s saving work (Don Dolindo, commentary on Luke 9).

O Blessed Mother, you lived always and fully in the Divine Will! When you uttered your fiat at the Annunciation saying, “let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38), you aligned perfectly to the Will of God. You dwelled constantly in the shadow of the Most High, ever at rest in the Almighty (Psalm 91:1). Teach us, dear Mother, to follow your way of complete surrender, to “do whatever He tells you” like you exhorted at Cana (John 2:5). May we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit who overshadowed you and “who dwells within us” (2 Timothy 1:14). Lead us deeper into this restful surrender, just as you trusted the Divine Will fully with joy of spirit (Luke 1:47). Mirror of Holiness, show us the Face of your Son, as we strive through Divine Grace to become “changed into his likeness” (2 Corinthians 3:18). May the Divine Will always be done in us, as the Kingdom of the Divine Will grows unceasingly through you, O Queen Mother and Gate of Heaven!

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