The Image of the Divine Mercy is a depiction of Jesus Christ that is based on St. Faustina Kowalska’s 1931 vision of Jesus.
As St. Faustina documented in her diary, Jesus told her “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I myself will defend it as My own glory.” Divine Mercy in My Soul # 48
Jesus is show raising his right hand in blessing and pointing with his left hand on the Sacred Heart from which flow forth two rays: one red and one pale. The image is signed with the message “Jesus I trust in you” (Polish: Jezu ufam Tobie). The rays that stream out have symbolic meanings: red for the blood of Jesus, and pale for the water (which justifies souls).
While venerating the Image of Divine Mercy, Jesus put on my heart to meditate upon the various images. This is what I got on each of these.
The ‘Vilnius’ image of The Merciful Jesus painted by Eugene Kazimierowski under the direction of St. Faustina. My first thoughts meditating on this image was Jesus walking from the darkness to bring Divine Mercy. As I gaze on this image and pray, Jesus speaks to me that He isn’t coming from the darkness, though He descended to Hell for us, He is standing before the darkness that His Divine Mercy may save us before we too descend into the darkness and Hell.
Just because this is the ‘original’ image doesn’t mean that this version of the Image is perfect, or even necessarily “the best” version in every respect. In a 1958 letter, Blessed Fr. Sopocko notes that St. Faustina wept after she saw this painting because it so inadequately represented the radiant beauty of the Risen and Glorified Lord whom she had seen (see Diary, 313). After all, who could ever fully capture that heavenly beauty in an earthly image?
The Hyla image is next in my meditation. Some people devoted to the Divine Mercy prefer the Image painted by Adolf Hyla, who gave it to the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland in thanksgiving for the preservation of himself and his family during World War II. The sisters placed it over the tomb of St. Faustina at their convent in Lagiewniki. The image was blessed by Fr. Joseph Andrasz, SJ, one of St. Faustina’s confessors, on the Feast of Divine Mercy in 1944. It can still be seen in Lagiewniki today.
This image is a favorite of mine. It was beneath this image in Poland that I begged Jesus for healing of my daughter. Jesus spoke to me, responding to my petition with these simple words, “Do you trust Me, Ed?” From my hands I raised my eyes at the sound of His voice. My gaze fell upon the words, “Jezu Ufam Tobie” – Jesus, I trust in You. I had answer to my prayer and so much of my struggles. My life changed forever in that moment, I knew my answer to my question was given. Yes! Jesus I do trust in You. Then, as I stood and turned my back, I heard, “will you allow me to be your patroness?” I turned and looked at St. Faustina laying before me, jaw dropped. ‘You already are”, I replied. And, once more as I turned, I heard, “will you be My apostle of Divine Mercy, My son?” “Yes!” I’ve tried to share and spread this devotion ever since. Divine Mercy is more than a devotion. It is life’s meaning and safeguard itself.
The ‘Skemp’ image is next. The Marian Fathers commissioned a new image in the 1970s from an American painter, Robert Skemp. Completed in 1982, this version tried to rectify the issues with the Hyla Image with an Image that showed the rays from the breast of Christ radiating almost directly at the viewer.
When gazing upon this image of the Merciful Jesus, the upper room comes to mind. “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.” John 20:19-20
I can imagine this image being made manifest before the disciples in the upper room. Jesus ‘suddenly’ appearing before them despite the locked door. Jesus will bring His Mercy to us no matter where we hide. But, as He did with the disciples, Jesus gives us peace of Divine Mercy but then sends us out to be apostles of that Divine Mercy.
Take time starting today and then, every day forward to spend a bit of time meditating upon the images of the Merciful Jesus. See devotion pictures on the ‘Divine Mercy’ app. Or, search google to find your favorite. Then, sit before the Merciful Jesus and pray or just sit and meditate on Him Whom IS Mercy itself.