Membership of the “Faustinum” Association is open to priests as well as consecrated and lay persons (including those under 18 years old) who wish to participate in St. Faustina’s work of mercy under the direction of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy; that is, to proclaim to the world the message of Mercy (by deed, word, and prayer) and to strive for Christian perfection along the way that St. Faustina marked out: the path of trust in the Lord God and mercy toward neighbours. Volunteers are loosely associated with the Association, and thus with the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and undertake minimum Christian commitments of:
- Concern about exploring the mystery of God’s mercy,
- Deepening the attitude of faith, involving the desire to do God’s will,
- Performing during the day at least one act of mercy (by deed, word or prayer) for the love of Jesus,
- Recitation (not necessarily daily) of the Chaplet to The Divine Mercy.
A volunteer shares in the promises which the Lord Jesus gave to all apostles of The Divine Mercy.
“Souls who spread the honour of My mercy I shield through their entire lives as a tender mother her infant, and at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Saviour” (Diary 1075).
“All those souls who will glorify My mercy and spread its worship, encouraging others to trust in My mercy, will not experience terror at the hour of death. My mercy will shield them in that final battle” (Diary 1540).
“To priests who proclaim and extol My mercy, I will give wondrous power; I will anoint their words and touch the hearts of those to whom they will speak” (Diary 1521).
Moreover, a volunteer may take advantage of the formation program for the apostles of The Divine Mercy, either in a community or individually, by asking the “Faustinum” secretariat for formation materials. After one year of volunteer service, a volunteer may apply for membership or remain in the Association as a volunteer.
Enrolment in the “Faustinum” Association is made by completing a special declaration card with the name and precise address of the person enrolling; the obligations of volunteers are also printed on this card. Only enrolments made on original declaration cards are accepted (not pho- tocopies, facsimiles, or other forms); declaration cards can be obtained from the “Faustinum” office. The completed declaration should be sent to the “Faustinum” Association at: ul. Siostry Faustyny 3, 30-420 Kraków, Poland. The pre- sident of “Faustinum” subsequently signs a letter confirming the candidate’s acceptance into the Association and informing him or her about the possibility of benefiting from formation. This moment marks the start of the period of volunteer service. After having spent one year as a volunteer, one may apply for membership in the Association, or retain the status of a volunteer, even for one’s entire life.
Translated by Orest Pawlak
