St. Maria Faustina of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, an apostle of Divine Mercy, belongs today to the group of the most popular and well-known saints of the Church. August 25, 1905 – October 5, 1938
Sister Faustina was born on August 25, 1905 in Glogowiec, Poland of a poor and religious family of peasants, the third of 10 children. She was baptized with the name Helena in the parish church of Swinice Warckie.
The Lord Jesus chose Sr. Maria Faustina as the Apostle and “Secretary” of His Mercy, so that she could tell the world about His great message, which Sr. Faustina recorded in a diary she titled Divine Mercy in My Soul. In the Old Covenant He said to her:
“I sent prophets wielding thunderbolts to My people. Today I am sending you with My mercy to the people of the whole world. I do not want to punish aching mankind, but I desire to heal it, pressing it to My Merciful Heart.” (Diary, 1588)
In an extraordinary way, Sr. Maria Faustina’s work sheds light on the mystery of the Divine Mercy. It delights not only the simple and uneducated people, but also scholars who look upon it as an additional source of theological research.
Su. Faustina, my patroness, has been by my side since that night in the ICU at my daughter’s bedside. She taught me what the words “Jezu Ufam Tobie” (Jesus, I trust in You) really mean. She has shared with me the beautifies of Divine Mercy on a level I could not convey. I am honored that she asked me to allow her to be my patroness. As she lead me and all of us towards God and His Divine Mercy, let’s thank her and ask her intercession today.
“Saint Faustina, you told us that your mission would continue after your death and that you would not forget us (Diary, 281, 1582).
Our Lord also granted you a great privilege, telling you to “distribute graces as you will, to whom you will, and when you will” (31).
Relying on this, I ask your intercession for the graces I need, especially
(express your special intentions)
Help me, above all, to trust in Jesus as you did and thus to glorify His mercy every moment of my life. Amen.”
