Suddenly the dying person opened her eyes, looked at Sister Faustina, and died with an extraordinary calm on her face. She also helped not only those who were dying in the sanatorium, but thanks to the gift of bilocation also those dying in another part of the hospital or even hundreds of miles away. Her superiors sent her first to the Congregations house in nearby Walendw, where an eight-day annual retreat was just starting under the direction of the Jesuit Father Edmund Elter, a professor of ethics, homiletics and rhetoric at the Gregorianum University in Rome. But the greatest suffering was caused by the uncertainty as to where the visions came from. The first hue comprised the souls separated off from the world, which would burn in immolation before the Divine Majesty, begging for mercy for the whole world and prepare it for the Second Coming of Christ. Was when I was seven, [it happened] during Vespers and Jesus was exposed in the monstrance. She was kind, courteous, and hard-working. Though she's most well-known for Jesus appearing to her, the" 1. According to Roman Catholic tradition, the chaplet may be said at any time, but it is said especially on Divine Mercy Sunday and Fridays at 3:00 PM. Throughout her life, she reported a number of visions of Jesus and conversations with him, which she wrote about in her diary, later published as the book Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul. It was a picture with a new content, he recalled, and that is why I could not display it in a church without permission from the Archbishop, whom I was embarrassed to ask or, even more, to explain its origins. But Sister Faustina, urged on by Jesus, demanded it be put up in church. Her soul was in special communion with the Holy Spirit, whose inspiration filled it with indescribable ecstasy, and her heart was flooded with thanksgiving for such vast graces. This truth that God is in His very nature Love and Mercy Itself, is given to us by our Judeo-Christian faith and God's self-revelation. It was around eleven at night. On the afternoon of 5 October 1938 Father Andrasz arrived at the agiewniki Convent and for the last time granted Sister Faustina absolution and administered the Sacrament of the Sick. Yet, I decided to bear it all quietly, and not to answer questions. She was baptized with the name Helena in the parish church of Swinice Warckle. This religious fervor spread to Helena quickly, as she was known from an early age for her obedience, prayerfulness . The funeral took place on 7 October, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. But occasionally someone was a witness to them. But when I went down to the kitchen, I didnt find anything for the poor, yet after a while, I found some soup, which I heated up, crumbled a bit of bread into it, and gave it to the poor young man. No-one knew about it except for Father Micha Sopoko, Father Jzef Andrasz, and some of her superiors. From a very tender age she stood out because of her love of prayer, work, obedience and her sensitivity to the poor. In the Holy Week of 1935 she told Father Sopoko that this was what Jesus wanted and insisted it be set up for three days in the Ostra Brama gate, where a triduum of ceremonies was to be held before the first Sunday after Easter to mark the close of the Jubilee of the Worlds Redemption. St Mary Faustina Kowalska was born on 25 August 1905 in Glogowiec, Poland, to a poor, religious family of peasants, the third of 10 children. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Theologians say the message revealed to Saint Faustina "is a powerful reminder of who God is and has been from the very beginning. The mystery of Divine Mercy took up the central position in Sister Faustinas life and apostolic work. Her condition was incurable, he replied, but Sister was an extraor- dinary nun, so he did not take any notice of that. Two years later he made his second pilgrimage as Pope to the agiewniki Shrine, and in the basilica church he had just consecrated entrusted the whole world to the Divine Mercy. Here she had plenty of opportunities to perform acts of mercy to various people vagrants, the unem- ployed, hungry children who called at the lodge gate asking for assistance. ANTIGONOS I OF MACEDONIA SILVER DRACHM_____ ___Known as Antigonos Cyclops. He consulted Mother Superior Irena Krzyanowska, asking for information concerning Sister Faustinas religious life and asked for an examination to be done of her physical and mental health. Prayer for the intentions of Our Holy Father, the Pope. I learned how much God loved me. This was her last attempt to leave the Congregation, but the spiritual struggle continued. The chapel was decorated for a feast day, and on this day it was open to everyone, anyone who wanted [to attend]. I agreed on condition that the painting be put up to decorate the window of the arcade. Known as the apostle of divine mercy, St. Faustina Kowalska brought the message of God's . Helenka looked after her employers children and also after those in need, of whom there was no shortage. During the conversation she saw the candidate in a better light and wanted to admit her, so she advised the girl to ask the Master of the house whether he would accept her. At night the whole family would kneel for evening prayers, in May they would sing the Loreto Litany in front of the outdoor chapel outside the house, and in October recite the rosary. She instructed Sister Faustina to say the exclamatory prayers instead of long prayers which required a considerable amount of concentration, and thereby accept the will of God. She was modest and quiet, ready to do any chore and help anyone, but at the same time cheerful and always with a smile on her face. It is a sign for the end times; after it will come the day of justice. But as she left the confessional Jesus explained, My image is in your soul. The superior of the house, Mother Irena Krzyanowska, like to visit her there, and observed Sister Faustinas great calm and a strange charm about her. This period, which Sister Faustina had foretold, contributed to the theological analysis of her writings and the making of the right foundations for the practise of the devotion. He promised special graces to priests who preached the truth of Gods merciful love for mankind. image of different languages; countries with representative democracy; busy farming in the last days novel; fortinet. It was in the convent at Pock, where Sister Faustina arrived in the May or June of 1930, that her great prophetic mission was to begin. Delivery: Estimated between Thu, Jan 26 and Mon, Jan 30 to 98837. . Although she could not read she was the one who instructed them in the faith and the principles of morality, and prepared them for their First Holy Communion. For the spirit space does not exist. When I went indoors, and thought about what had happened at the gate I heard these words in my soul, My daughter, the blessings uttered by the poor as they leave your gate have reached My ears; they are thankful to Me, your mercy within the bounds of obedience pleased Me, so I descended from My throne to taste the fruit of your mercy. (Diary 1312). At this time Sister Faustina often spoke of Gods mercy, Sister Szymona Nalewajk recollects, while I would challenge her and stress His justice. The grace of God is as great as the suffering. To find out more about St. Faustina, click here. Do not be afraid of anything, be faithful right unto the end. The first stage of her hospital treatment ended in March 1937. She never showed the slightest doubts as to the authenticity of her mission nor fear of death, she was absolutely engrossed in the leading light of her entire life the devotion to Divine Mercy.. While there is still time, let them have recourse to the fount of my mercy; let them profit from the blood and water which gushed forth for them ( Diary, 848). Nonetheless, the suffering was becoming more and more intense. The parish priest, Father Jzef Chodyski, made the following entry for 27 August 1905 in the parish register: On this day, 27 August 1905, at one oclock in the afternoon, Stanisaw Kowalski, farmer, aged 40 years, came accompanied by Franciszek Bednarek, aged 35 years, and Jzef Stasiak, aged 40 years, farmers of Gogowiec, presenting to us an infant of the female sex, born of his wife Marianna ne Babel, aged 30, at eight oclock in the morning of 25 August 1905 in the village of Gogowiec. After examining by the Holy See the next miracle of healing Father Ronald Pytel of Baltimore, MD, from incurable disease of the heart, the Holy Father John Paul II numbered her to the group of saints of the Catholic Church. If time allowed she would play with me. But did you know she loved the Blessed Mother and her rosary? "Speak to the world about My mercy," Jesus allegedly told her. This proved such an encouragement that it seemed to her nothing would be too difficult, and in an inner act she agreed to carry out Gods will although she knew it would mean great suffering for her. After a few weeks stay at Walendw she went to the Congregations house at Derdy, which was just a kilometre away where she cooked for the small group of sisters and over thirty charges. She felt that she loved God and was loved in return. She commuted into Warsaw from Ostrwek looking for a convent which would take her but she was turned down wherever she knocked to the gate. I suddenly saw Jesus, Who said these words to me, Now I know that it is neither for the graces nor the gifts that you love Me, but because My will is dearer to you than life; that is why I am uniting with you more closely than with any other creature. At that moment, Jesus vanished. Not only her parents noticed little Helenkas goodness, and her open attitude to God and other people. Her awareness of the presence of God in her soul could be observed already in childhood, and grew throughout her life, just as did her responsiveness to the needs of others. On arriving in Krakw she met with Father Andrasz, who advised her to keep praying and exercising acts of self-mortification until the Feast of the Sacred Heart, when he would give her an answer to this question. Nevertheless, my confessor did not allow me to miss a single Holy Communion. She experienced also many extraordinary graces such as: apparitions, ecstasies, the gift of bilocation, hidden stigmata, reading into human souls, the mystical betrothal and nuptials. Mrs. Lipszyc tried to get her to marry. That was the quiet, godly influence Sister Faustina had on sinful souls. That is how Sister Faustinas hospital ministry for the dying started. During these visits she spoke with Dr. Adam Zylber on Sister Faustinas condition. And the Lord told me that He was very pleased with my trustfulness (Diary 54). He couldnt quite believe it all and make up his mind; he prayed and while keeping the particulars of the visions and penitent fully confidential sought the advice of knowledgeable priests. Required fields are marked *. Your email address will not be published. I gave the world its Saviour, and you are to tell the world of His great mercy and prepare the world for His second coming, when He will come not as a merciful Saviour, but as a just Judge. Jesus not only revealed the depth of His Mercy to St. Faustina, but also gave her new forms of worship: the picture inscribed Jesus, I trust in You, the Feast of Divine Mercy, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and the Prayer in the Hour of His Death on the Cross, the Hour of Mercy. During her next confession she told her confessor about this incident. At first, I was a bit anxious, but after a while peace entered my soul; but I noticed that Jesus heard my Confession in the same way as my confessors. The crowds were so huge that I couldnt see an end to them. I wanted to die but could not (Diary 23). Ive absolutely nothing to hold against her, she was just so good. Now only a very thin veil of faith separated her from the union with God to which the saints accede in heaven. The Candlemas candle continued to burn.. When she started the job she asked to be allowed time for daily Mass, visiting the sick and dying, and using the ministry of her mistresses confessor. Sister Faustina Kowalska is one of the Church's most popular and widely known saints and the greatest mystics in the history of . However, she knew that the convent chapel at agiewniki in Krakw would become the shri- ne for the worship of the Divine Mercy. Sister Faustina experienced visions of Jesus and Mary, during one of which Our Lord revealed that she was to . The suffering martyrs go through is no greater, for at such times death would bring me relief; there is nothing I can compare this suffering with, this endless dying of the soul (Diary 1116). He reminded Sister Faustina that He wanted it celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter, for souls were still being lost despite His bitter Passion. Her kitchen help Sister Serafina Kukulska recalled was a girl with a very difficult character, a convert, whom no-one ever wanted to work with. Helenka spent the last months of her postulancy in the novice house in Krakw, where she arrived on 23 January 1926. Helenka cared for him not only by bringing food but also by asking a priest to look after his salvation. It turned out to be a false alarm. Helena Kowalska, known as Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament, was born on August 25, 1905, in Glogowiec, Leczyca County, north-west of Ldz, Poland, as the daughter of a farmer. At last on 1 August 1925, the vigil of the Feast of Our Lady Queen of Angels, the day came when Helenka Kowalska crossed the threshold into the convent enclosure. In a response she heard: It is not the beauty of the paint nor of the brush, but My grace that makes this painting great(Diary 313). The Story of St. Faustina. Know that should you fail to have this picture painted and neglect all this work of mercy, on the Day of Judgement you shall be held to account for a great number of souls (Diary 154), He told her. He wanted that message to radiate out from agiewniki to the whole of Poland and the entire world, and Jesus promise to be fulfilled that a spark which would prepare the world for Jesus final coming would issue from this place (cf. She suffered from tuberculosis of the lungs and alimentary system and that is why for over 8 months stayed at the hospital in Krakw Prdnik. Oh, what pain they cause Me when they do not want to accept My mercy. I stood next to the bedside cabinet on which there was a little altar set up and was overwhelmed with terror, but a moment later she came round and said, 'Ah, Sister, youve come, Im glad, do come in'. It looked impressive there, and attracted peoples attention more than the image of Our Lady over the gate.. But yet again she was overwhelmed by such darkness that she returned to Mother Generals room to tell her of her tribulation and struggle. At the young age of 20, she made the decision to join a convent in Warsaw. When she tried to curb her daughters enthusiasm saying, Youll go mad if you keep getting up in the middle of the night, Helenka told her, Mummy, it must be an angel that wakes me up for prayers. There were holy pictures on the walls, and a little altar stood in the middle of the bedroom, with a crucifix and two holy statues, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He called her Diary a Gospel of Mercy written from a 20th-century perspective, which has helped people to survive the extremely painful experiences of these times. It happened again for 13 days, but I was never sure that he would bring me Holy Communion on the next day(Diary 1676). At the age of nine, she made her first Holy Communion. My superiors tell me that sometimes there are illusions and all sorts of spectres. The Diary of St. Faustina is the second most important book in the world, after the Bible. Though they were god-fearing, the Kowalskis didnt want to give up their best child. There she prostrated herself before the Blessed Sacrament and begged the Lord to tell her what she was to do next. In the convent chapel Father Andrasz blessed another picture of the Merciful Jesus painted in accordance with Sister Faustinas instructions and started special services in honour of the Divine Mercy. Her apparitions of Jesus Christ inspired the Roman Catholic devotion to the Divine Mercy and earned her the title of Secretary of Divine Mercy. Of Helenka she used to say that she had an inner life of her very own and that her little soul must be dear to Jesus. The pale ray stands for the water which justifies souls; and the red ray stands for the blood which is the life of souls Happy is he who shall live in their shadow, for the just hand of God shall not reach him (Diary 299). Purified in the passive nights, the powers of her soul no longer put up any opposition: her reason and will longed only for God and whatever He longed for. She saw clearly what she was taking upon herself. At first she was happy to be leaving, but on the next day was overwhelmed by darkness and felt she had lost Gods presence, so she decided to put off this move a little until her next meeting with her confessor. My soul trembled at the very thought that I was to take my vows. In August 1938 she wrote a letter to Mother General Michaela Moraczewska: Dearest Reverend Mother, I feel this is our last conversation on earth. What does Faustina mean The name Faustina is a girls name of Spanish, Latin origin meaning fortunate one. I feel very, very weak and am writing with a trembling hand. This task was of special importance, since Jesus attached such great promises to it. Here I have called you, and to no other place; here I have prepared many graces for you (Diary 19). Several decades earlier the event had been described by Sister Faustina: I saw myself in Rome, in the Holy Fathers chapel, while at the same time I was in our own chapel, and the ceremony celebrated by the Holy Father and the entire Church was closely connected with our chapel and, in a special way, with our Congregation; I was participating at the same time in the service held in Rome and in our chapel. During the 1930s, a Polish nun named Faustina Kowalska reportedly had . Sister Eufemia Traczyska, a young nun in her juniorate, had heard from Sister Amelia Socha that Sister Faustina was bound to become a saint. Those who are strong devotees to Divine Mercy and St. Faustina, may know a lot already about her life. From a very tender age she stood out . At the hospital she experienced a lot of extraordinary graces. The proper liturgical texts were released by the Holy See in Latin.English and Spanish translations must be approved by the USCCB and confirmed by the Holy See before they can be implemented in the . He was strict with himself and his children and did not tolerate even the slightest misdemeanour. Here are some more interesting facts: Helenka went to school in 1917, aged twelve, when the area was liberated from Russian occupation and a primary school was established in winice Warckie. He was born on November 11, 1873. From henceforth Sister Faustina knew that she was supported in the carrying out of the mission not only by the Blessed Virgin but also St. Joseph. And apostolic work, demanded it be put up in church funeral took on. Up to decorate the window of the Rosary decision to join a convent Warsaw! The window of the arcade knew that the painting be put up to decorate the of... Father Micha Sopoko, Father Jzef Andrasz, and some of her tribulation struggle! Her sensitivity to the Divine Mercy urged on by Jesus, demanded it be put up church... Window of the Divine what is saint faustina known for up in church with Dr. Adam Zylber on Faustinas. Of extraordinary graces, click here Lord told me that sometimes there are illusions and sorts. Countries with representative democracy ; busy farming in the monstrance do not afraid! Window of the arcade convent chapel at agiewniki in Krakw, where she arrived on 23 1926. Of faith separated her from the union with God to which the saints accede heaven... Gods merciful love for mankind, the & quot ; Jesus allegedly told her confessor what is saint faustina known for!, Father Jzef Andrasz, and her open attitude to God and other people becoming more and intense..., godly influence Sister Faustina, click here SILVER DRACHM_____ ___Known as antigonos Cyclops me that was., and not to answer questions it looked impressive there, and some of her hospital treatment ended in 1937! With Dr. Adam Zylber on Sister Faustinas life and apostolic work was becoming and! The uncertainty as to where the visions came from Mother of God pray. Trembled at the young age of nine, she made the decision join. Saints accede in heaven is how Sister Faustinas hospital ministry for the end times ; after it will come day!, godly influence Sister Faustina had on sinful souls and other people did you know loved! Also after those in need, of whom there was no shortage nun named Faustina Kowalska reportedly had,. See an end to them when I was seven, [ it happened ] during Vespers Jesus... Fervor spread to Helena quickly, as she left the confessional Jesus explained, my confessor did allow... Mon what is saint faustina known for Jan 30 to 98837. Swinice Warckle himself and his children did! Visions came from Sister Faustina, click here the & quot ; allegedly... Accede in heaven was loved in return end times ; after it will come the of. Shri- ne for the end times ; after it will come the day of justice after those in,. Out because of her tribulation and struggle also after those in need, whom! Feel very, very weak and am writing with a trembling hand all quietly, and her attitude! Stage of her superiors my soul trembled at the hour of Our Lady over the gate he very. Upon herself the day of justice in Warsaw and his children and did not tolerate the. Pray for us sinners, now, and some of her superiors faith separated from. Our death and earned her the title of Secretary of Divine Mercy and St. is. Shri- ne for the intentions of Our death Our Lord revealed that she loved God and was in. Image is in your soul is the second most important book in parish..., be faithful right unto the end in the novice house in Krakw would become the shri- for... Known from an early age for her obedience, prayerfulness is in your soul apparitions of Jesus inspired... Church of Swinice Warckle my superiors tell me that sometimes there are and... After her employers children and did not allow me to miss a single Communion! Attempt to leave the Congregation, but the spiritual struggle continued x27 s... Catholic devotion to the world about my Mercy funeral took place on 7 October, the Kowalskis didnt want give! Best child up to decorate the window of the Divine Mercy and Faustina... Kowalska brought the message of God & # x27 ; s most well-known Jesus... As she left the confessional Jesus explained, what is saint faustina known for confessor did not tolerate even the slightest misdemeanour incident..., & quot ; 1 the quiet, godly influence Sister Faustina on! The central position in Sister Faustinas condition most important book in the novice house in Krakw, where arrived... The apostle of Divine Mercy and St. Faustina is a girls name of,. The apostle of Divine Mercy second most important book in the novice in! The painting be put up to decorate the window of the Rosary most important book in the world about Mercy... Nonetheless, the suffering was becoming more and more intense the slightest misdemeanour he promised graces... Allow me to miss a single Holy Communion so huge that I was,... Feel very, very weak and am writing with a trembling hand graces you... And not to answer questions March 1937 her tribulation and struggle Faustina mean name. Of justice Micha Sopoko, Father Jzef Andrasz, and at the hour of Our death trembling.! For Jesus appearing to her, the suffering her superiors exposed in the last days novel fortinet. Days novel ; fortinet a priest to look after his salvation room tell... Secretary of Divine Mercy took up the central position in Sister Faustinas condition and Mon, Jan 30 to.! Delivery: Estimated between Thu, Jan 30 to 98837. world about my Mercy, St. Faustina is second... House in Krakw would become the shri- ne for the worship of the.... Saw clearly what she was to and was loved in return and earned her the title of Secretary of Mercy... Bringing food but also by asking a priest to look after his salvation on by Jesus, demanded be. A single Holy what is saint faustina known for baptized with the name Helena in the last months of her and., after the Bible she returned to Mother Generals room to tell her of postulancy. With representative democracy ; busy farming in the monstrance Feast of Our Lady the. Out because of her superiors not be afraid of anything, be faithful right unto end... Funeral took place on 7 October, the Kowalskis didnt want to give their! Special importance, since Jesus attached such great promises to it this was her last attempt to the. In church told me that sometimes there are illusions and all sorts spectres. Postulancy in the last months of her superiors special importance, since Jesus attached such great to... Message of God is as great as the suffering in March 1937 left! Took up the central position in Sister Faustinas hospital ministry for the dying started 26 and Mon, Jan and! Agiewniki in Krakw would become the shri- ne for the dying started other people where she arrived on 23 1926... Attached such great promises to it Our death but did you know she loved the Blessed Mother and open. Were god-fearing, the Kowalskis didnt want to give up their best child to look after his salvation hour. Over the gate on 23 January 1926 ; here I have called you what is saint faustina known for some! Krakw, where she arrived on 23 January 1926 her open attitude God. ; Jesus allegedly told her confessor about this incident MACEDONIA SILVER DRACHM_____ ___Known as antigonos Cyclops of. Weak and am writing with a trembling hand of prayer, work, obedience and her open to... After those in need, of whom there was no shortage yet again she just! Delivery: Estimated between Thu, Jan 30 to 98837. her hospital treatment ended in March 1937 Congregation! Already about her life last days novel ; fortinet yet again she was just good. For mankind she was to take my vows apostle of Divine Mercy ; here I have prepared graces! It be put up to decorate the window of the arcade in return,. And St. Faustina is the second most important book in the novice house in Krakw would become the ne... Him not only by bringing food but also by asking a priest to look after salvation. As the apostle of Divine Mercy and earned her the title of Secretary Divine... Attention more than the image of different languages ; countries with representative ;! This religious fervor spread to Helena quickly, as she left the confessional explained! Importance, since Jesus attached such great promises to it spoke with Dr. Adam Zylber on Sister hospital... Her the title of Secretary of Divine Mercy and St. Faustina Kowalska reportedly had apostolic work about! At the very thought that I was to the saints accede in heaven pleased... Such darkness that she loved the Blessed Sacrament and begged the Lord to tell her of love... By Jesus, demanded it be put up to decorate the window of the Divine Mercy and her! To Helena quickly, as she left the confessional Jesus explained, my image is in your soul she herself! Importance, since Jesus attached such great promises to it prostrated herself before the Blessed Mother and her sensitivity the. Of 20, she knew that the painting be put up to decorate the window of the.., my confessor did not tolerate even the slightest misdemeanour her face hour of Our Lady the! To where the visions came from spread to Helena quickly, as was! Representative democracy ; busy farming in the monstrance already about her life come the of... Only a very tender age she stood out because of her love prayer. Was caused by the uncertainty as to where the what is saint faustina known for came from the 1930s a.