The members of the “Faustinum” Association, having accomplished a 4 year formation programme and after passing a formation exam, can apply to make promises of devotion to The Divine Mercy and service in the work of God’s mercy. The promises may be taken initially for a one year, and after 5 years for one’s entire life. For more details please see the Rules of the “Faustinum” members below:
From The Rule of the Members of the “Faustinum” Association
32. In accordance with § 12, point 4 of the statutes of the “Faustinum” Association, members may make promises of devotion to The Divine Mercy and service in the work of mercy, which the Lord Jesus initiated in the Church through St. Faustina.
33. By making promises, the members of the “Faustinum” Association express their wish to participate more fully in the life and mission of the Merciful Jesus and therefore, they oblige themselves to:
- Continually strive for sanctity.
- Fathom the mystery of God’s mercy.
- In the course of the day unite themselves with the Merciful Jesus dwelling in their souls and experience with Him all daily events.
- Give an ever more perfect witness of trust in the Lord God in all circumstances of life, particularly in the experience of the cross.
- Proclaim the message of Mercy in all possible ways through deed, word and prayer.
34. Promises may be taken by those members of the “Faustinum” Association who meet the following conditions:
- They have completed a 4-year formation program and have obtained a positive grade from a sister responsible for the formation in a given language (have passed the so called “formation test”).
- They desire to dedicate themselves more fully to The Divine Mercy and serve the work of mercy, and this they will express in a letter of application addressed to the Executive Board of the “Faustinum” Association.
- They present a written certificate from the priest who leads a “Faustinum” community in their parish, or else a priest who acts as the spiritual director of the given person, expressing approval of making this act.
35. When taking the decision to make promises, the members of the “Faustinum” Association shall remember that it is better not to make promises but to live them, rather than to make promises and not fulfil them (or: shall remember that they thereby promise to enter more deeply into the spiritual life and should strive for faithfulness in fulfilling their obligations).
36. Promises may be made for one year and may subsequently be renewed for 5 successive years. After this period, they may be taken for one’s entire life. Permission to make temporary or perpetual promises, depends on the Executive Board of the Association granting its approval with an absolute majority of votes (50% + 1), the decision being based on the “Faustinum” member’s application letter presenting his motivation for the request and also made on the basis of the certificate of the priest in charge of a given “Faustinum” community or of the person seeking to make the promises.
37. The formula of the promises is as follows:
Responding to the grace of the Holy Spirit, in union with the Merciful Jesus, I …………… dedicate myself to You, the Triune God, and promise for one year (my entire life) to proclaim Your mercy to the world with my life, word and prayer, so that through me the message of Mercy might reach many people and fill their hearts with hope. I desire to be in the hands of Your mercy, an instrument fulfilling Your Holy Will. May Mary, the Mother of Mercy, and Saint Faustina help me in this. Amen.
Translated by Orest Pawlak
