Such is the motto of a retreat for apostles of Divine Mercy, which will be held on February 23-25 at the Retreat House of the Pauline Fathers at the Shrine of Our Lady of Victory in Brdów. The program includes daily Eucharist, adoration of the Holy Sacrament, and conferences giving the opportunity to learn more about the mercy of God the Father. The retreat is held in an atmosphere of silence and recollection, without access to the media and cell phones, in order to hear in silence the stirrings of God’s Spirit (cf. Diary, 145). It will be delivered by Sr. Maria Faustyna Ciborowska and Sr. Emanuela Gemza from the community of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki.
On February 24-25, Sister Caterina Esselen from the Washington community of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy will take part in the annual Conference on the Divine Mercy in Trinidad, which is organized under the slogan: “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.” Sister Caterina will share the spiritual heritage of Saint Sister Faustina recorded in her “Diary”
People from many countries of the world participating in the work of the Perpetual Chaplet of Divine Mercy are praying not only in their own intentions, but also asking for “mercy on us and the whole world”. Specific intention: thanksgiving for the gift of the Divine Mercy image and all the graces obtained before it, asking that the world may find peace and man may find happiness in God’s merciful love.
The work of Perpetual Chaplet is a response to the request of Jesus to constantly implore for mercy “for us and the whole world”. The work has been operated by the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy at: www.faustyna.pl since 2011. Anyone can participate in it by filling out a short form and declare to say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, which Jesus dictated to St. Faustina—at least once.
“In the evening, when I was in my cell I saw he Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment”, St. Faustina wrote in her Diary. “One hand was raised in the gesture of blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From beneath the garment, slightly drawn aside at the breast, there were emanating two large rays, one red, the other pale. In silence I kept my gaze fixed on the Lord; my soul was struck with awe, but also with great joy. After a while, Jesus said to me: ‘Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and [then] throughout the world’” (Diary, 47). The event took place in St. Faustina’s cell at the Plock convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in the Old Market on February 22, 1931. The first Divine Mercy image was painted in Vilnius in 1934 under the guidance of Sister Faustina herself in the studio of Eugeniusz Kazimirowski and exposed for public veneration for the first time at the Gate of Dawn in 1935. Since then, a number of images h-ave been created. The miracle-famous Divine Mercy image by Adolf Hyła, found in the convent chapel of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy at the Shrine of Divine Mercy is the best known one. The painting was created under the guidance of the Mercy apostle’s Krakow spiritual director, Fr. Józef Andrasz, S.J., who dedicated it on the Feast of Mercy, April 16, 1944. It was this image that fulfilled the words of Jesus spoken to St. Faustina at the first revelation: I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and [then] throughout the world. Not only pilgrims from around the world who physically arrive at this holy place can pray in front of this image, but also online visitors viewing our live broadcasts and the high quality presentation of the image at www.saint-faustina.org.
On February 22nd, the 93th anniversary of the revelation of Merciful Jesus, in the Płock Shrine of the Divine Mercy at the Old Market, Holy Mass will take place at 6.30 am, 10 am, 12 pm and 5.00 pm. At 3 pm – prayer in the Hour of Mercy and Chaplet to Divine Mercy will be recited. At 5.00 pm, Holy Mass will be presided over by Bishop Roman Marcinkowski.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, a retreat will be held on February 19-21, led by Fr. Grzegorz Zakrzewski. Eucharist with retreat teaching at 5 p.m. and adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament until 7 p.m.
The celebration of the anniversary will be participated by the inhabitants of Plock and by venerators of Divine Mercy from many towns and villages in Poland, traditionally arriving to witness these events despite the wintry weather.
During spring break from February 18-20 in the parish of St. Nicholas in Domaniži, Slovakia, there will be a retreat for girls of the second grade of primary school. The retreat on Saint Sister Faustina as an apostle of Divine Mercy will be led by Sister Blanka Krajčíková and Sister Alžbeta Mikušová from the Košice community of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy. The program includes conferences, workshops, adoration, a film about Saint Faustina, a common rosary and testimonies.
Febuary 17 this year (third Saturday of the month) at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki there will be a monthly meeting of the Krakow community of the Association of Apostles of Divine Mercy “Faustinum”. The program includes, among others: prayer at the Hour of Mercy and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Eucharist and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer of adoration, as well as a conference and agape.
The “Faustinum” Association, established in 1996 by the Metropolitan of Krakow, Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, as an apostolic work of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, brings together priests, consecrated persons and lay people from almost 90 countries around the world, who, following the example of St. Sisters Faustina want to participate in Jesus’ mission of proclaiming the Message of Mercy to the world through their testimony of life, deed, word and prayer. The main task of “Faustinum” is the formation of apostles of Divine Mercy, which the sisters conduct in several languages. More information at: www.faustinum.pl
February 17 this year in Bergamo (Italy) there will be a day of retreat for the apostles of Divine Mercy from the “Faustinum” association from all over Lombardy under the slogan: “The time of Lent is a time of conversion.” It will be led by: Father Attilio Gueli OFMCap and Father Luca Mantovani OFMCap and Sister Wincenta Mąka from the Roman community of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy. The sister will give a conference on the topic: “Trust and encounter with the merciful God in the sacrament of reconciliation in the process of conversion based on the Diary of St. Faustyna.” In addition to the conference, the program includes: Holy Mass, Eucharistic adoration, prayer at the Hour of Mercy and the Chaplet, as well as fraternal agape and sharing reflections of the day.
Seit vielen Jahren ist der erste Freitag der Fastenzeit (dieses Jahr der 16. Februar) in Polen ein Tag des Gebets und der Buße für die Sünde des sexuellen Missbrauchs von Minderjährigen. Wir vertrauen der Barmherzigkeit Gottes alle Personen an, die in ihrer Kindheit oder Jugend durch sexuelle Gewalt verletzt wurden, vor allem wenn die Täter Geistliche waren. Wir bitten auch für die Gnade der Bekehrung für die Täter dieser schrecklichen Verbrechen und diejenigen, die als Zeugen des Bösen nicht für die Verletzten eintraten – mögen Sie sich auf dem Weg der Erkennung der Wahrheit und der Annahme der gerechte Strafe für ihre Taten aufrichtig mit Gott und der Kirchengemeinschaft versöhnen. Im Sanktuarium der Barmherzigkeit Gottes in Krakau-Łagiewniki beten wir besonders in diesem Anliegen im Gebet zur Stunde der Barmherzigkeit und im Barmherzigkeitsrosenkranz.
February 15 is the name day of Sister Faustina and the liturgical memorial of her Vilnius spiritual director, Bl. Fr. Michael Sopocko. The Shrine of Divine Mercy will celebrate the Saint with morning Mass in her intention at 6:30 am, as is the custom of the Congregation. The intention is thanksgiving for the graces received by St. Faustina in her earthly life and for those the Congregation, the Church, Poland and the world were granted through her intercession and asking that she show the merciful love of God to all and support trust in Him along with the attitude of being good neighbors in us. Broadcast at www.saint-faustina.org . Anyone can submit their prayer there as well as provide the gift of prayer, which an act of true mercy toward our neighbors, or another spiritual gift.
You can download a file “Jesus’ message of Mercy” at www.saint-faustyna.org for the non-commercial spread of the message of Mercy, which St. Faustina provided us with in her Diary. It contains the most important words of Jesus recorded by the Apostle of Divine Mercy. The pdf file has been translated into 16 languages. In 2023, it was shared 1312 times. The Spanish version was downloaded by the most 522 people, Italian by 221, English by 166, French by 162, Polish by 88, German by 87…
In 2023, the “Diary” of St. Faustyna on the website: www.faustyna.pl and its 7 language versions was read by almost 384,000 people. All language versions are now available also for tablets and smart-phones.
The words of Jesus said to Sister Faustina are coming true: Secretary of My most profound mystery know that you are in My unique confidence; your task is to write down everything I let you know about My mercy, for the benefit of souls, who on reading thee texts will receive comfort in their souls and draw courage to come up to Me (Diary, 1693).
On the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes (11 February), we will be celebrating the World Day of the Sick. On this occasion, the Shrine of Divine Mercy will host major diocesan events for patients and their caregivers. In the basilica on February 10 at 12:00 during the solemn Eucharist, the sick and elderly will be able to receive the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. The live broadcast of the ceremony will be available at the Shrine Rector’s website: www.milosierdzie.pl.
On February 14, Ash Wednesday, we will enter the time of Lent. On that day, during Holy Mass, the priests sprinkle the faithful with ash as a sign of penitence. The ash comes from the “palms” which had been blessed on Palm Sunday and now burnt). While sprinkling ash on the heads of the faithful, the priests say to them: „Repent and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return”. These words reminds us about the fragility of human life, the need to believe in the Gospel and to repent in order to reach eternal life. On Ash Wednesday, those above 14 years old should abstain from meat and fast, which implies eating no more than three times a day, including one full meal. Solemn fasting should be observed by those under the age of 60. Holy Mass at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki’s chapel with the Divine Mercy Image and the tomb of St. Faustina will be celebrated at 6:30 am, 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm, and in the basilica they will be celebrated as on every Sunday. The beginning of Lent is intended to help in self-reflection, repentance, developing one’s mercy imagination and good preparation for Easter.
For the period of Lent, we usually make resolutions, which usually involves doing the deeds that Jesus asked us to do: almsgiving, prayer and fasting, performed secretly with the pure intention of love for God and for people, not for applause or recognition. Saint Faustina also practiced them. In her religious life, however, she made one specific resolution, which she realized not only during Lent, but always, namely, she joined Merciful Jesus living in her soul, through an aspiration. When she wanted to change this decision, Jesus would not let her, because this daily practice leads to the development of a deep relationship with Him, to living our daily lives with Him.
On February 7 this year, at the convent of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Whasington, the silver anniversary of the religious profession of Sister Teresa de la Fuente will be celebrated. In the National Shrine of Saint John Paul II in Washington, a solemn Holy Mass will be celebrated with the renewal of the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience by the Jubilarian, whose outer sign is a silver ring with the engraved name of Jesus. Sisters in the remaining convents of the Congregation, as well as the Family and persons entrusted with apostolic work will join in the prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of the Jubilarian and in her intentions.
On February 3 and 4, Sr. Tymoteusz Kmiotek and Sr. Wincenta Mąka from the Roman community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will take part in the ceremonial introduction of the relics of St. Sister Faustina in the parish of Our Lady in San Romano, near Pisa in Tuscany. On this occasion, they will share the spiritual heritage of the Apostle of Divine Mercy recorded in her “Diary” and their own testimony of her intercession and participation in her mission of proclaiming the Message of Mercy to the world.
On 2 February, at 10:30 am at the Shrine of Divine Mercy, 2 sisters from the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy, after serving a two-year novitiate and making an eight-day retreat, will make their first vows before the Superior General, Mother Miriam Janiec. The ceremonies, taking place in the convent chapel of the miracle-famous image of Merciful Jesus and the tomb of St. Faustina will be presided Fr. Robert Więcek SJ. The ceremony will be attended by sisters from many convents of the Congregation and families of the sisters. During the first profession, sisters make vows of chastity, poverty and obedience to Jesus for a year, which are then renewed for five consecutive years. After this period, perpetual vows take place.
On Sunday, 28 January, a solemn introduction of relics of the blessed Ulma Family will be introduced in the Basilica at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki. Sermons at all services will be delivered by Fr. Dr Witold Burda, postulant in the beatification process of these Good Samaritans of Markowa.
The Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki would like to thank you for all the donations so far for the camera to be broadcasting from the chapel of the miracle-famous Divine Mercy Image and the tomb of St. Faustina. We are now able to purchase a revolving Panasonic aw-ue-160 camera that ensures TV-like quality and a continuing broadcasting at Faustyna.pl and all its language versions (10 pages in total) and our YouTube channel: Faustyna.pl website, the Faustyna.pl YouTube channel and the mobile application with the same name. The Sony camera we are currently using has been broadcasting the round-the-clock video stream 24 since 2015 and will remain as a backup camera. The video stream is used by the faithful from all over the world who wish to make a virtual pilgrimage to the holy place to plead for mercy “for us and the whole world”.
We are praying for all our benefactors and donors every day, especially at the Hour of Mercy (3 pm) and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in addition to their prayerful intentions.
In 2023, the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, who are the sole custodian of the relics of St. Faustina, sent 135 particles of these relics (130 ex ossibus relics – bone – and 5 from her religious habit) to 26 countries around the world, for the first time to the Republic of Malawi in East Africa. In Europe, the Apostle of Divine Mercy in the sign of her relics went to 6 countries. In addition, to: China, the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, Lebanon, USA, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Guinea-Bissau, Cameroon, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Saint Faustina in the sign of her relic is now present in 129 countries of the world on all continents, in 5,833 churches, shrines and chapels, where Divine Mercy is revered in a special way.
Due to the eight day retreat that will take place on January 16-24, there will be no news or gallery updates at www.saint-faustina.org. All the remaining works and will continue as will praying for all our coworkers and visitors of our Faustyna.pl website and our Faustyna.pl application.
