The Story of St. Faustina. She went to Aleksandrw dzki, a town where Kazimierz Bryszewski and his wife Leokadia had a bakery and shop at No. Saint Faustina Kowalska, an apostle of the Divine Mercy, belongs today to the group of the most popular and well-known saints of the Church. Along with great physical and spiritual suffering there were also vast graces, which Sister Faustina did not divulge to anyone except her confessors. Informed of this, Mother Superior Irena Krzyanowska forbade her to speak about it, and this is how Sister Faustinas extraordinary spiritual life was kept secret. And it is to prepare the world for His second coming. Her condition was incurable, he replied, but Sister was an extraor- dinary nun, so he did not take any notice of that. Jesus introduced the Chaplet of Divine Mercy through a vision granted to St. Faustina. For 18 years she directed the spiritual and apostolic life of the entire Congregation which, following Sister Faustinas visions, she entrusted to the care of Mary, Mother of Mercy, the Congregations heavenly Superior General. The day of judgement has been determined, the day of Gods anger, the angels tremble at the thought of it. When people say the Chaplet at a dying persons bedside, Gods anger is placated, and unfathomed mercy embraces the soul, and the depths of My mercy are moved, for the sake of My Sons sorrowful Passion(Diary 811). Faustina was a remarkable child who knew from an early age that she was called to have a religious life. Now only a very thin veil of faith separated her from the union with God to which the saints accede in heaven. The Novice Mistress thorough training and personal experience gave her the confidence to lead the novices into the spiritual life, teaching them to know God more profoundly, to pray and practise the ascetic life, so that their piety should not be emotional and soft but thorough, and bring them to an ever deeper union with God through obedience, humility, a self-sacrificing love of their neighbours and a zeal for the salvation of the souls entrusted to the Congregations apostolic care. 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). However, under heavy inner pressure, Sister Faustina did not wait until the feast-day but told Father Andrasz during her weekly confession that she had decided to leave the Congregation. This conduct was inspired by Helenkas fervent faith and concern to be like Jesus trusting in the Heavenly Father even when He was on the cross and Who was meek and humble throughout His life, loving all people with a patient, understanding, and indescribably self-sacrificing love. Then I saw Our Lady who said, O, how God likes the soul that faithfully follows the inspiration of His grace. On the Feast of Pentecost she renewed her religious vows. What are the requirements for Divine Mercy Sunday? This task was of special importance, since Jesus attached such great promises to it. Suddenly, when my love and longing had reached a peak, I saw a Seraph standing next to my bed, who gave me Holy Communion, saying the words, Behold, the Lord of Angels. When I had received the Lord, my spirit sank in the love of God and in wonder. Tell distressed humankind to come up and cling to My Heart, and I shall fill it with peace. After a brief stay in Warsaw in the ytnia and at Grochw, she was again sent off to Pock, and from there for a short time to Biaa, an agricultural colony of the Pock house. At the age of seven she had her first undeniable experience of Gods love. It turned out to be a false alarm. Asked by her if she was pleased to be dying in our Congregation she replied, Yes. She was baptized with the name Helena in the parish church of Swinice Warckle. One big prayer of thanksgiving sprang up from my heart (Diary 17). Tell souls about this great mercy of Mine . Mankind shall not find peace and contentment until it turns with trust unto My mercy (Diary 300), He told Sister Faustina. I feel compassion for you. (Diary 635). The doctor said it was very bad. He asked for something hot to eat. I was amazed a junior postulant was capable of such self-restraint and goodness, she later wrote. 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. He would bless their words and endow them with such great power that even the most hardened of sinners would repent. Tell souls of His great mercy, while there is still time for mercy; if you should remain silent now, you shall be held responsible on that terrible day for a great number of souls. Some, especially the more curious ones, were irked by my silence. "Speak to the world about My mercy," Jesus allegedly told her. As Jesus told her, His request that Gods merciful love for mankind be preached is the last recourse for many souls, which are being lost notwithstanding His bitter Passion. It happened again for 13 days, but I was never sure that he would bring me Holy Communion on the next day(Diary 1676). Aware of this, she took her leave of the community. 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. With this priests help, Sister Faustina commissioned an artist to paint the first Divine Mercy image, based on her vision of Jesus. People of faith feel this perfectly well!. St. Faustina offered her day in 1936 for Russia, as Jesus was in anguish over what was happening in the atheistic country. He promised the grace of a blessed and tranquil death not only to those who say the Chaplet, but also those at whose deathbed others will say the Chaplet. She didn't plan to become a nun. From that moment on I felt a greater intimacy with God, my Bridegroom. An experienced confessor, Father Sopoko first tried to get to know his penitent, and not be misled by any delusions, hallucinations or fantasies deriving from human nature. Under the pretext of a headache she quickly left the company, making her way to the nearest church, the Cathedral of St. Stanisaw Kostka. Faustina was beatified on April 18, 1993 and canonized on April 30, 2000. She memorised the stories of the hermits and missionaries, and the next day while out grazing the cattle would recite them word for word to us and others. She was kind, courteous, and hard-working. This message, Pope Benedict XVI has said, The message of Mercy as the Divine Power, as God putting a check on all the worlds evil, is indeed the chief message of our times. It happened one day during the octave of Corpus Christi she recorded the most important event of her time at Ostrwek in her diary God filled my soul with an inner light enabling me to come to know Him as the Supreme Good and Beauty. Nonetheless, during this Confession something was wondrously penetrating my hear(Diary 817). Sister Faustina was born on 25 August 1905 in Gogowiec, Poland to Marianna and Stanisaw Kowalski as the third of ten children. On 2 February 1923 Helenka was sent by an employment agency to the house of Mrs. Marcjanna Sadowska, who had a shop at No. Saint Faustina is the ideal role model for Eucharistic Apostles of The Divine Mercy, especially in light of her love of the Eucharist, and her virtuous life as exemplified by doing spiritual and corporal works of mercy. My mission will not end at my death. No-one knew about it except for Father Micha Sopoko, Father Jzef Andrasz, and some of her superiors. Her relics are in the Shrine of the Divine Mercy at agiewniki, Krakw. That terrible thought pierced my soul right through. The sisters in the refectory got up from table and went upstairs, where Sister Faustina was lying in her room. 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. St. Faustina's life was an imitation of Christ's sacrifice in . She was magnanimous and devoted her entire life to the saving of souls. Her Cracovian spiritual director observed that since she had taken the decision she would be taking the full responsibility on herself. After that refusal I indulged in the vanity of life, not paying any attention to the voice of grace, although there was nothing in which my soul could find contentment. They liked her and gathered around her during recreation, as her thoughts and words were focused on God and she was always cheerful. In this situation, she tried to avoid the Lord, and when He came she would ask, Jesus, are You my God, or a spectre? As the devotion became more and more widely known the opinion of Sister Faustinas sainthood grew as well. Her first period of treatment lasted nearly four months from December 1936 (with a break for Christmas). This happened on several occasions, when a relative or one of the sisters, or even someone she had never known was dying. . Father Sopoko requested Sister Faustina to ask Jesus about that, too. Her repeated protests that she felt unable to meet such a demand were of no avail. I also promise it victory over its enemies, already here on Earth, and especially in the hour of death. Indeed she gave the impression of a supernatural being. Tuberculosis, which had not been diagnosed until her stay in Vilnius, was ravaging Sister Faustinas body. After a few months, in June 1934, the work on the painting was drawing to a close. 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. The first months of 1938 saw a further deterioration in Sister Faustinas health, and her superiors decided to send her to Prdnik Hospital again after Easter. It was yet another task which seemed to transcend her capabilities. I pass it on to all people, He said, so that they will learn to know ever better the true face of God and the true face of their brethren. I felt wonderfully happy at having been able to confess everything. He advised her to be true to these graces, urging her not to stay away from them but to entreat God for a spiritual director who would help her in understanding and carrying out Jesus wishes. The family was not well off, so like her older sisters she went into domestic service. A sick man lived in a lumber room under the stairs in the house. Suddenly someone woke me up. This is why Vilnius has become known as the "City of Divine Mercy." It was where all of our Lord's demands of St. Faustina in His message of Divine Mercy were finally realised. The first stage of her hospital treatment ended in March 1937. It has today become known as the most important place in the history of the Divine Mercy message and devotion. St. Faustina is celebrated each year as an Optional Memorial on October 5. 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. Her fellow nuns called her the lawyer because she could direct the discussion to the subject of Gods truths. In October 1928 the Congregation held its General Chapter, and the office of Mother General was entrusted to Mother Michaela Olga Moraczewska who was educated (a graduate of a music conservatory) and spoke several languages. 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. Speak to the world about My mercy; let all mankind recognize my unfathomable mercy. Sister Faustina was born on 25 August 1905 in Gogowiec, Poland to Marianna and Stanisaw Kowalski as the third of ten children. The name Faustina is a girls name of Spanish, Latin origin meaning fortunate one. Her health slightly improved, Sister Faustina returned to agiewniki Convent. Not only did she notice them, but she would also think of ways to help them. She fetched her rosary, knelt by the dying persons bedside and started saying the Chaplet with all the powers of her spirit, asking Jesus to fulfil the promise He had made regarding the Chaplet. I looked at Sister Amelia but said nothing. Life in the Kowalski household went on at a tranquil place marked out first by prayer and then work, never the other way round. Introduction to the Chaplet of Mercy. I was to bring her into the life of the community, and admired her for her quick learning. Without asking her parents consent she packed and went to the capital. Sister Faustina experienced visions of Jesus and Mary, during one of which Our Lord revealed that she was to . She thanked me but did not take up my offer. On her way to Vilnius she made a stop at Czstochowa to entrust Mary her life and mission, which she received from God. At the hospital she experienced a lot of extraordinary graces. 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. In her everyday contacts Sister Faustina was able to interpret lifes troubles in a spirit of living faith and see Gods goodness in everything. We did not understand her. Spreading of Devotion to The Divine Mercy, Plenary Indulgence for the Feast of Mercy, In Theology Moral Qualification of aHuman Act, In the School ofSt.Faustina andJohnPaul II, History of the Devotion to The Divine Mercy, The Knowledge of the Mystery of Divine Mercy, The Contemplation of Divine Mercy in Everyday Life, The Apostolic Movement of The Divine Mercy, Prayer through the Intercession of St. Faustina, Superior General, Mother Michaela Moraczewska, Churches dedicated in honor of St. Faustina, Let us know about a church or chapel of St. Faustina, Let us know about another St. Faustina patronage activity, Shrine of Divine Mercy in Cracow-Lagiewniki, Chapel of the miraculous image of the Merciful Jesus and the tomb of St. Faustina, Shrine of the Birth and Baptism of St. Faustina in Swinice Warckie, Family Home of Saint Faustina in Gogowiec, Convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, Center of Divine Mercy Spirituality in Rome, The Rome House of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, Let us know about another Shrine of Divine Mercy. Then she whispered, Jesus wants to elevate me and make me a saint. All the Kowalski children were baptised in the Parish Church of St. Casimir at winice Warckie; here they made their First Holy Communion and attended Mass on Sundays and holy days. There was not much work for her to do at Derdy, and Sister Faustina felt as if staying in this house was almost like a holiday. The Divine presence flooded my soul; I know I am under the glance of the Mighty One. To find out more about St. Faustina, click here. The Chaplet to the Divine Mercy is recited even in obscure languages, and the prayer at the hour of Jesus death on the cross, the Hour of Mercy, is becoming more and more popular. She saw clearly what she was taking upon herself. The painting of the vision Sister Faustina had had three years earlier at Pock gave rise to several fundamental questions which Father Sopoko put to Sister Faustina, and she in the simplicity of her heart passed them on to Jesus, who explained, My gaze from this picture is like My gaze from the cross (Diary 326), Jesus explained, The two rays stand for blood and water. On that day are open all the Divine floodgates through which graces flow; let no soul fear to approach Me, even if its sins be as scarlet (Diary 699). At Skolimw she asked Jesus whom she should pray for. Mother General Michaela Moraczewska visited all the Congregations houses and spoke on the great mission for which God had chosen Sister Faustina. Saint Faustina is known as the Missionary of Divine Mercy. God was working in a strange way in my soul. St. Faustina is best known for her devotion to the Divine Mercy. Jesus will take care of it'. The Lord is with Thee. One day I went to Prdnik to visit her Sister Kajetana Bartkowiak recollected I knocked on the door. Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, better known as Saint Francis of Assisi (Italian: Francesco d'Assisi; c. 1181 - 3 October 1226), was a mystic Italian Catholic friar, founder of the Franciscans, and one of the most venerated figures in Christianity. Your email address will not be published. Her family had ten children and was very poor. If time allowed she would play with me. 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). St. Faustina was canonized in 2000, making her the first declared saint of the third millennium. At the age of sixteen Helenka bade farewell to her parents, brothers and sisters and left home. That day at supper time a bell was heard. Sister Faustina Kowalska is one of the Church's most popular and widely known saints and the greatest mystics in the history of . In the evening when she returned to her cell, she had a physical vision of Jesus in a white robe. It had attacked not only the respiratory system but also the alimentary canal. FAQ: Who Is The Patron Saint Of Football? Father supplemented his income from the farm with work as a carpenter. The Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart, who worked as nurses in the hospital, prepared a room for her, but in the evening one of them informed her that she would not have Holy Communion the next day because she was exhausted. Sister, if you want to be by Sister Faustina when she dies, get up now. 2. She had a lot of work, as there were four rooms in the house, the shop, and the bakery. St Faustina Kowalska is one of the most famous saints of the 20th Century, and was the first Saint canonised in the new millennium. 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. This scrawny young man, in dreadfully tattered clothes, barefoot and without a hat as Sister Faustina described the incident was freezing, as it was a cold and wet day. Though she's most well-known for Jesus appearing to her, the" As a little girl she was already distinguished from others by a sense of mercy. Since that moment I have had a little cell in my heart, in which I have always dwelled with Jesus. The notification had been issued owing to an erroneous translation of her diary and resulting inappropriate forms of worship. She would often tell the sisters and charges about Gods love of mankind and about the tremendous value of doing good to ones neighbour. He was inspired to lead a life of poverty and itinerant preaching. 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