Saint Faustina, her life, message and writings
Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938), known as St. Faustina, was a Polish nun and mystic whose life and writings have had a profound influence on the Catholic Church, particularly through the message of Divine Mercy. Her canonization in 2000 by Pope John Paul II made her one of the most significant saints of the 20th century, especially in promoting the devotion to Divine Mercy.
Her Life
Born Helena Kowalska on August 25, 1905, in Głogowiec, Poland, Faustina was the third of ten children in a poor but devout family. From a young age, she felt a calling to religious life, but due to her family’s financial struggles, she could not join a convent immediately. After several years of working as a domestic servant to save money, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Warsaw in 1925, at the age of 20, and took the name Sister Maria Faustina of the Blessed Sacrament.
Her life in the convent was relatively simple, involving menial tasks like cooking, cleaning, and gardening. Despite this, she experienced profound mystical visions and inner conversations with Jesus, which would become central to her spiritual mission.
Her Message: Divine Mercy
The core of St. Faustina’s message is Divine Mercy—the boundless mercy of God available to all people, especially sinners. According to her diaries, Jesus appeared to her multiple times and asked her to spread this message of His mercy throughout the world.
One of the key elements of the Divine Mercy devotion includes:
- The Divine Mercy Image: Jesus asked St. Faustina to have an image painted showing Him as He appeared to her, with rays of red and white light emanating from His heart, symbolizing the blood and water that flowed from His side on the cross. The image bears the inscription: “Jesus, I trust in You.”
- The Divine Mercy Chaplet: Jesus taught her this prayer, which is said using rosary beads. It asks God for mercy “on us and on the whole world.”
- Divine Mercy Sunday: Jesus revealed to Faustina that the first Sunday after Easter should be dedicated to His Divine Mercy, offering special graces to those who seek His mercy.
- The Hour of Mercy: Jesus told Faustina that 3:00 PM—the hour of His death on the cross—is a special time to ask for His mercy for oneself and the world.
Faustina’s message emphasizes God’s infinite mercy, the importance of trusting in His mercy, and extending mercy to others. It’s a call to repentance and to recognize that no sin is too great for God to forgive.
Her Writings: The Diary of Saint Faustina
Her primary writing is her spiritual journal, titled “Divine Mercy in My Soul,” often simply referred to as “The Diary”. In this diary, she recorded the visions and messages she received from Jesus over several years, offering profound spiritual insights and guidance on the Divine Mercy devotion.
The diary contains:
- Descriptions of her mystical experiences: Faustina recounts her visions of Jesus and the messages He entrusted to her.
- Guidance on prayer and trust in God: Jesus encourages Faustina, and through her, all people, to trust fully in His mercy and seek refuge in His compassionate heart.
- Calls to action: Jesus instructs her to spread the message of Divine Mercy and offer prayers for sinners, the dying, and all those in need of God’s grace.
The diary has become a spiritual classic, beloved by many who are drawn to its deep reflections on mercy, suffering, humility, and love.
Her Legacy
Saint Faustina’s legacy is far-reaching. Divine Mercy Sunday was officially established by Pope John Paul II in 2000, following her canonization. The Divine Mercy devotion has since spread globally, offering hope and consolation to countless people. Her life and message are celebrated as a testament to God’s enduring mercy, love, and compassion.
Her teachings continue to inspire those seeking to deepen their relationship with God, especially through trust in His mercy and acts of compassion towards others.
Saint Faustina is remembered not only as a mystic and visionary but also as a humble nun whose simple yet profound witness of faith touched the hearts of millions. Her feast day is celebrated on October 5th.
In sum, St. Faustina’s message centers on the profound mercy of God, inviting all people to trust in His compassion and to practice mercy in their own lives. Her writings offer a deep, mystical insight into the divine, with “The Diary” serving as a key source of inspiration for many believers.
A litany of Mercy
A Litany of Mercy inspired by the writings of Saint Faustina would reflect the themes of trust, mercy, and compassion that were central to her message. Below is a version of the Litany of Divine Mercy that draws on her writings and revelations:
Litany of Divine Mercy
(Adapted from the message of St. Faustina Kowalska)
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the bosom of the Father, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, fountain gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, unfathomable by any intellect, human or angelic, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, from which wells forth all life and happiness, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, better than the heavens, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of the Incarnate Word, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially for sinners, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Holy Eucharist, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, in the founding of Holy Church, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, in our justification through Jesus Christ, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, accompanying us through our whole life, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment of our life, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, shielding us from the fire of hell, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, in the conversion of hardened sinners, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, astonishment for Angels, incomprehensible to Saints, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, unfathomed in all the mysteries of God, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, in calling us forth from nothingness to existence, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of His hands, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, crown of all of God’s handiwork, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, in which we are all immersed, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, only hope of despairing souls, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, repose of hearts, peace amidst fear, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, delight and ecstasy of holy souls, we trust in You.
Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope, we trust in You.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Let us pray:
Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.
Amen.
This litany reflects the immense depth of God’s mercy as revealed to St. Faustina, and it’s often prayed by those devoted to the Divine Mercydevotion, seeking trust and hope in God’s infinite compassion.
Amen 🙏🏼🏆 May the Divine Mercy always be a source of strength and peace!
Online resources for her writings and legacy
There are several excellent online resources where you can explore Saint Faustina’s writings and learn more about her message of Divine Mercy:
- The Full Text of Her Diary: The official website of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy offers the full text of St. Faustina’s Diary. This is one of the most direct ways to access her mystical experiences and the revelations of Divine Mercy as she wrote them. You can read the diary online here (Saint Faustina).
- Internet Archive: St. Faustina’s Diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul is also available for free on the Internet Archive, where you can either read it in your browser or download it. This version is part of the public domain and is a great way to explore her writings in depth. You can access it here (Internet Archive).
- The Divine Mercy Website: This website provides not only access to her diary but also daily reflections, articles, and explanations of the Divine Mercy devotion. It’s a rich resource for those seeking to understand the spirituality behind the message and how to practice it in daily life. Explore their resources here (The Divine Mercy).
These sources provide a wealth of information on St. Faustina’s writings, offering insights into her spirituality, the Divine Mercy devotion, and the practical applications of her message.
