At the heart of the Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki stands the chapel where the miraculous image of Merciful Jesus and the tomb of St. Faustina are to be found. This small church, consecrated in 1891 and dedicated to St. Joseph, was built within the complex of the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and once served only the Sisters and their wards
The miraculous image of Merciful Jesus painted by Adolf Hyła is placed above the side altar on the left side of the chapel.
A white marble coffin, the resting place of St. Sister Faustina rests on the altar below this image,
I came to Poland with a strong pull to this place, this chapel, to this Saint’s ‘presence’. In Krakow, we arrived at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in time to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy within the shrine. Always a beautiful prayer, most dear to my heart, this experience was multiplied as we prayed in polish, English and I believe Italian.
Then after celebrating Mass in a chapel underneath the Shrine we walked over to this incredible church. This is the church in which St Faustina prayed the Chaplet often, it was witness to many extraordinary graces (including the revelations of Jesus and the Blessed Mother) received by her in this place.
And the graces I experienced was the climax of our pilgrimage. I came to the coffin, made the sign of the cross, touched my crucifix to the first-class relic of St Faustina. This crucifix is treasures now because it is a relic of mercy having been blessed by first-class relics of St Maximilian Kolbe, St JPII and now St Faustina.
I stepped aside, knelt and with head bowed and closed eyes I made my prayer to St Faustina, under the original image of the Merciful Jesus. I had waited for this moment for this prayer – I offered the intentions shared with me by Emmaus, I asked for protections of my kids and lifting up of my wife in a very special way and I asked her to intercede and bring healing to my daughter.
In the middle of asking for this final (and heavy on my heart) prayer, I heard God speak to me, He asked me a simple question, “Ed, do you trust Me?” Surprised, I looked up. And my eyes fell upon the words on the image, “Jezu Ufam Tobie” (Jesus I trust in You). I knew instantly that God had given me the answer to His question. Yes, Jezu Ufam Tobie!
He had t said He would heal her or answer my prayers, simply asked for trust.
I stood, feeling very uplifted and at peace. And as I started to turn, in my heart, I heard a woman’s voice ask me, “will you accept me as your patroness?” I knew instantly this was St Faustina speaking to me. I turned and smiling toward her coffin, gave my consent and strong desire for that precious gift she was offering.
Side note: since coming home, our daughter, who had not been out of the hospital for more than a week in the past 3 years has not been in the hospital for 2 ½ months. Her health is better than it has been in several years. Hope is rising!! I praise this ongoing healing in the precious love of the Merciful Jesus and the intercession of my patroness St. Faustina