A new Road of Faith feature – “In St. Faustina’s Words” will share outstanding quotes, prayers and thoughts from my patroness, St. Faustina.
I will share from St. Faustina’s Diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul without editorial or thoughts added to the post – maybe though in my journals. Reflect upon this great saint’s writings, teachings and musings. Meditate upon the words and guidance given through St. Faustina by our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Blessed Mother Mary and many more.
I pray someday she will be a Doctor of the Church for her teachings on Divine Mercy and trust.
“As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the excellent ones in whom is all my delight.” Psalm 16:3
Who is St. Faustina?
“Jezu Ufam Tobie” – “Jesus, I trust in You” – for me this quote and ‘signature’ on the Image sums up St. Faustina’s teachings.
Feast day: October 5
Patron: of Mercy
Birth: 1905 Death: 1938
Beatified: Pope John Paul II on April 18, 1993
Canonized: Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000
On April 30, 1926, at 20-years-old, she received her habit and took the religious name of Sister Maria Faustina of the Blessed Sacrament and in 1928, she took her first religious vows as a nun.
On February 22, 1931, Faustina was visited by Jesus, who presented himself as the “King of Divine Mercy” wearing a white garment with red and pale rays coming from his heart. She was asked to become the apostle and secretary of God’s mercy, a model of how to be merciful to others, and an instrument for reemphasizing God’s plan of mercy for the world.
In her diary, Faustina writes:
“In the evening, when I was in my cell, I became aware of the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand was raised in blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From the opening of the garment at the breast there came forth two large rays, one red and the other pale. In silence I gazed intently at the Lord; my soul was overwhelmed with fear, but also with great joy. After a while Jesus said to me, ‘paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the inscription: Jesus, I trust in You.'”
In 1936, Faustina fell ill again. She moved to the sanatorium in Pradnik, Krakow and continued to spend most of her time in prayer.
In July 1937, the first holy cards with the Divine Mercy image were created and Faustina provided instructions for the Novena of Divine Mercy, which she reported was a message from Jesus. Throughout the rest of 1937, the Divine Mercy image continued to be promoted and grow in popularity.
Faustina’s health significantly deteriorated by the end of 1937. Her visions intensified and she was said to be looking forward to the end of her life. On October 5, 1938, Faustina passed away. She was buried on October 7 and currently rests at the Basilica of Divine Mercy in Krakow, Poland.
Her entire life, in imitation of Christ’s, was to be a sacrifice – a life lived for others. At the Divine Lord’s request, she willingly offered her personal sufferings in union with Him to atone for the sins of others. In her daily life she was to become a doer of mercy, bringing joy and peace to others, and by writing about God’s mercy, she was to encourage others to trust in Him and thus prepare the world for His coming again.
Her special devotion to Mary Immaculate and to the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation gave her the strength to bear all her sufferings as an offering to God on behalf of the Church and those in special need, especially great sinners and the dying.
