Saint FaustinaAPOSTLEOF THE DIVINE MERCY

I feel certain that my mission will not come to an end upon my death, but will begin. O doubting souls, I will draw aside for you the veils of heaven to convince you of God's goodness (Diary 281).

The mission of Saint Faustina consists in:

� reminding the world of the truth of our faith revealedin Holy Scripture about the merciful love of God towardsevery human being, even the greatest sinner;

� conveying new forms of devotion to Divine Mercy;

� initiating a great movement of devotes and apostlesof Divine Mercy who would lead people toward the renoval of Christian life in the spirit of t his devotion; in otherwords, in the evangelical spirit of a childlike confidence in God and an active love of neighbor.

“And you, Faustina, a gift of God to our time, a gift from the land of Poland to the whole Church, obtain for us an awareness of the depth of divine mercy; help us to have a living experience of it and to bear witness to it among our brothers and sisters. May your message of light and hope spread throughout the world, spurring sinners to conversion, calming rivalries and hatred and opening individuals and nations to the practice of brotherhood. Today, fixing our gaze with you on the face of the risen Christ, let us make our own your prayer of trusting abandonment and say with firm hope: Christ Jesus, I trust in you! Jezu, ufam tobie! ”

/John Paul II, Homily, Sunday, 30 April 2000 /

GLOGOWIECGLOGOWIECANDAND

SWINICE WARCKIESWINICE WARCKIE

Sister Faustina was bornSister Faustina was bornonon August 25, 1905August 25, 1905

at the village of Glogowiecat the village of Glogowiecin Central Poland,in Central Poland,

as the third of ten childrenas the third of ten childrenin the familyin the family

of Stanislaw Kowalskiof Stanislaw Kowalskiand his wife,and his wife,

Marianna KowalskaMarianna Kowalska..

The Kowalski home, where Helen, later Saint Faustina, was born

Two days later she was baptized Two days later she was baptized

HelenaHelenain the parish church in the parish church at Swinice Warckie.at Swinice Warckie.

St. Casimir Church in Swinice Warckie, where Saint Faustina was baptized

PP��OCKOCK

MayMay –– June, 1930June, 1930Sister Faustina assignedSister Faustina assigned

to the houseto the houseof the Congregationof the Congregation

in Plockin Plock

Sisters of Holy Mothers of God’s Mercy ConventSisters of Holy Mothers of God’s Mercy Convent

Museum dedicated to St. Faustina at the Sisters of Museum dedicated to St. Faustina at the Sisters of Holy Mother of God’s Mercy ConventHoly Mother of God’s Mercy Convent

St. Faustina’s Living Quarters at the St. Faustina’s Living Quarters at the ConventConvent

Instruments of Discipline used by Instruments of Discipline used by St. FaustinaSt. Faustina

Sister Faustina works Sister Faustina works there by turns in there by turns in

the bakery, the bakery, the kitchen the kitchen

and the bakery store and the bakery store

Convent Bakery where St. Faustina worked.Convent Bakery where St. Faustina worked.

Convent MuseumConvent Museum

Writings by St. Faustina Writings by St. Faustina

February 22, 1931February 22, 1931Sister Faustina hasSister Faustina has

a vision of Jesusa vision of Jesuswho tells her to paintwho tells her to paint

His image.His image.

"In the evening, when I was in my cell, "In the evening, when I was in my cell, I saw the Lord Jesus clothed in a white I saw the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand was raised in garment. One hand was raised in a gesture of blessing, the other was a gesture of blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. touching the garment at the breast. From beneath the garment slightly From beneath the garment slightly drawn aside at the breast, there weredrawn aside at the breast, there were

emanating two large rays,emanating two large rays, one red, the other pale. one red, the other pale.

After a while Jesus said to me, After a while Jesus said to me, `Paint an image according to the `Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: pattern you see, with the signature:

Jesus, I trust in You"Jesus, I trust in You"

Place of the First Revelation of the Image of Place of the First Revelation of the Image of Merciful JesusMerciful Jesus

The two rays,The two rays,He said,He said,

denotes Blood denotes Blood and Waterand Water

WARSZAWAWARSZAWA

July 1924July 1924Helena sees a vision of the Helena sees a vision of the scourged Christ who calls scourged Christ who calls

her to religious life.her to religious life.Helena goes to Warsaw to Helena goes to Warsaw to

search for a convent,search for a convent,and she works to support and she works to support

herself.herself.

August 01, 1925 August 01, 1925 Helena is accepted by the Helena is accepted by the

Congregation of the Sisters Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy;of Our Lady of Mercy;

one month later she wants one month later she wants to leave for a stricter to leave for a stricter

order.order.

Identification Card of Saint Faustina

Mother House of the Congregation of Sisters of our Lady of Mercy in Warsaw

Sister’s Chapel in the Convent

April 30, 1926Helena receives habit and

her religious nameMaria Faustina.

April 3, 1927 Sr. Faustina experiences spiritual dark night during novitiate.

April 16, 1928 On Good Friday, she is engulfed by the flame of Divine Love.

April 30, 1928 Sr. Faustina makes her first profession of temporary vows.

May – June 1930

Sister Faustina was assigned tothe house of the Congregation in Plock

VILNIUSVILNIUS

The Home of the First The Home of the First Image of Merciful JesusImage of Merciful Jesus

May 25, 1933May 25, 1933Sister Faustina came to Vilnius where she Sister Faustina came to Vilnius where she received many mystical experiences and was received many mystical experiences and was assisted by Fr. Michael Sopocko, a wise assisted by Fr. Michael Sopocko, a wise Spiritual Director.Spiritual Director.

January 2, 1934 January 2, 1934 Sister Faustina visits the artist Kazimirowski, Sister Faustina visits the artist Kazimirowski, who is to paint the image.who is to paint the image.

House where Saint Faustina lived and served as cook and gardener

March 29, 1934March 29, 1934

Sister Faustina offers herself forSister Faustina offers herself forsinners, especially those who lack trust.sinners, especially those who lack trust.

June 1934June 1934The painting of Divine Mercy is completed The painting of Divine Mercy is completed

April 28, 1935 April 28, 1935 -- Feast of Mercy Feast of Mercy Divine Mercy image is publicly venerated in Divine Mercy image is publicly venerated in Vilnius for the conclusion of the Jubilee Vilnius for the conclusion of the Jubilee Year of RedemptionYear of Redemption

January 8, 1936. January 8, 1936. Sister Faustina informs the Bishop that Sister Faustina informs the Bishop that Jesus requests the founding of a new order.Jesus requests the founding of a new order.

Ostra Brama in Vilnius.Here the Image of Merciful Jesus was seen for the first

time by the public during celebrations marking the close

of the Jubilee Year of the Redemption of the World,

April 26-28,1935

July 28, 1934July 28, 1934Sister Faustina begins writing Sister Faustina begins writing

the Diary directedthe Diary directedby Fr. Michal Sopocko. by Fr. Michal Sopocko.

Beginning of Beginning of Sister Faustina’s illnessSister Faustina’s illness

My daughter, be diligent in writing down My daughter, be diligent in writing down every sentence I tell you concerning My every sentence I tell you concerning My mercy, because this is meant for a great mercy, because this is meant for a great number of souls who will profit from it.number of souls who will profit from it.

(Diary 1142)(Diary 1142)

September 13September 13--14th, 193514th, 1935

Jesus dictatedJesus dictatedthe Chapletthe Chaplet

of Divine Mercyof Divine Mercyto Sister Faustina.to Sister Faustina.

Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in VilniusSanctuary of Divine Mercy in Vilnius

The Pilgrims from Los Angeles (Christ the King Parish in Hollywood)

May 11, 1936May 11, 1936

Sister Faustina goes to KrakowSister Faustina goes to Krakow

KRAKOWKRAKOW

Sanctuary of Divine Mercy, where Sanctuary of Divine Mercy, where St. Faustina lived and died.St. Faustina lived and died.

LagiewnikiLagiewniki

May 11, 1936May 11, 1936

Sister Faustina Sister Faustina came to Krakowcame to Krakow

Lagiewniki Convent. Here Saint Faustina lived as a novice, professed her first and perpetual vows, served as cook, gardener, and doorkeeper and spent the last years of her earthly life.

September 26, 1938September 26, 1938Father Sopocko visits Sister Faustina for the Father Sopocko visits Sister Faustina for the

last time in Krakow, and she tells him: "My last time in Krakow, and she tells him: "My one occupation is to live in the presence one occupation is to live in the presence

of my Heavenly Father”of my Heavenly Father”

Father Sopocko notes that "She looked like Father Sopocko notes that "She looked like an unearthly being,“ and he adds, "At that an unearthly being,“ and he adds, "At that time, I no longer had the slightest doubt time, I no longer had the slightest doubt that what she had written in her diary that what she had written in her diary about receiving Holy Communion fromabout receiving Holy Communion from

an Angel was really true"an Angel was really true"

October 5, 1938October 5, 1938Sr. Faustina makes final confession, Sr. Faustina makes final confession,

and dies late in the evening.and dies late in the evening.October 7, 1938October 7, 1938Funeral of Sister Faustina takes Funeral of Sister Faustina takes

place on the First Friday of the place on the First Friday of the month and the Feast of Our Lady month and the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.of the Rosary.

The sacred Image of Merciful Jesus. The casket beneath the The sacred Image of Merciful Jesus. The casket beneath the sacred Image contains the mortal remains of the “Secretary” sacred Image contains the mortal remains of the “Secretary” and “Apostle’ of Divine Mercyand “Apostle’ of Divine Mercy

LagiewnikiSanctuary of Divine Mercy

Main Altarin the Sanctuary

Chapel dedicated to Saint Faustina

I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your living reflection, O Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of Your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearences, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors' souls and come to their rescue.

Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors' needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.

Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.

Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me (...).

O my Jesus, transform me into Yourself , for you can do all things. (Diary163)

Become an Apostle of Divine Mercy

Poland and Lithuania "Follow the steps of Saint Faustina

and God's Servant Fr. Michael Sopocko" September 23 – October 5, 2007

Day 01 - Departure to Warsaw

Day 02 - Arrival in Warsaw Transfer to Monastery in Niepokalanow Niepokalanow - established by Saint Maximilian Maria Kolbe and dedicated to our Immaculate Mother.

Day 03 – Niepokalanow – Zelazowa Wola Afternoon we depart to Niepokalanow, home of the Basilica of Virgin Mary, and a Franciscan Monastery founded by St. Maximillian Kolbe. Afternoon we will visit Zelazowa Wola – the birthplace of the most famous Composer – Frederick Chopin. Concert.

Day 04 – Warsaw Warsaw – capital of Poland. After breakfast, we will visit Old Town, including King’s Palace, Churches from 14th and 15th Century and Warsaw Ghetto. Evening departure to Bialystok

Day 05 - Sanctuary in Bialystok Bialystok - the City of Mercy. The City is closely connected with Divine Mercy. God's Servant Father Michael Sopocko, Spiritual Director of Saint Sister Faustina, lived and worked here. * Mother Boleslawa's Lament Sanctuary * Saint Faustina's Chapel on Poleska Street and home where Father Sopocko lived and worked * Sanctuary of Divine Mercy - prayers at the tomb of Father Michael Sopocko* Sanctuary of Mother of God's Mercy.

Day 06 – Vilnius Visit the Old Town, Cathedral Church. Visit the Convent of the Sisters of Holy Mother of God’s Mercy. Here, in September 13 & 14, 1935 Jesus dictated Saint Sister Faustina the Chaplet. Prayers in the Church, where is the first icon of Merciful Jesus and Holy Mass. Also, visit to the Chapel with the miraculous Image of Holy Mother of Mercy. Afternoon departure to Plock. Overnight we spent in Lomza

Day 07 – Plock Departure to Plock. Check-in to hotel. Visit the Old Town and Cathedral Church. Visit the Convent of the Sisters of Holy Mother of God's Mercy. Here, on February 22, 1931, Saint Sister Faustina had her revelation of the Merciful Jesus. Prayers and Holy Mass in Chapel. Visit Sister Faustina's family home and visit the church where she was baptized.

Day 08 – Czestochowa Afternoon arrival at Czestochowa - the most holy place for Polish people. There, we will see the famous Black Madonna, which is believed to have been brought to Czestochowa from Jerusalem on August 31, 1384.

Day 09 – Czestochowa All day with our Blessed Mother.

Day 10 - Czestochowa - Oswiecim - Wadowice – Krakow Visit Auschwitz Concentration Camp, and Wadowice - birthplace of God's Servant John Paul II. Evening arrival in Krakow. Check-in to hotel.

Day 11 - Krakow-Lagiewniki Lagiewniki - Sanctuary of Divine Mercy. Here, Sister Faustina lived and died. Prayer at the tomb of Saint Faustina.

Day 12 – Krakow Attend Mass at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki. Thereafter, start the sightseeing tour of Krakow and visit the Royal Castle, Cathedral, Old Town and Cloth Hall. Free Time.

Day 13 - Departure to USA

For Reservations please contact:For Reservations please contact:

The Lay Institute of Divine MercyThe Lay Institute of Divine MercyTour Director: Ms. Lelis CruzataTour Director: Ms. Lelis Cruzata

Phone: 323/463Phone: 323/463--13331333

EE--mail:mail:mercyinstitute@ca.rr.commercyinstitute@ca.rr.com

Website: divinemercy.opoka.orgWebsite: divinemercy.opoka.org

Spiritual Director: Fr. George J. BobowskiSpiritual Director: Fr. George J. Bobowski

Jesus,Jesus,I Trust in YouI Trust in You