On October 11-13, a vocational retreat for women of different ages will take place in the Discalced Carmelites monastery in Lorinčík near Košice in the south of Slovakia. The theme of the event will be “Because you are precious in My eyes, you have gained value and I love you (cf. Iz 43:4)”. It will be led by Fr. Pavol Wojnowski, O.C.D., and Sr. Benediktína Fečová from the Košice community of the Congregation of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy.
On October 12, the participants of the “Margaret” apostolate from all over Poland will meet at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki. The pilgrimage will begin in the Shrine of Saint John Paul II at 9:00 am with greeting the pilgrims and a rosary prayer for priests. About 11.00 am – conference. Solemn Eucharist at 12.00 an will be presided by Bishop Janusz Mastalski. The pilgrims will also visit the chapel with the grace-famous image of Merciful Jesus and the tomb of St. Faustina. The pilgrimage will end with prayer at the Hour of Mercy (3 pm) and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
From October 8 to 12, the sisters from the Roman community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy are organizing a pilgrimage for Italians to follow in the footsteps of St. Faustina and St. John Paul II. The pilgrims will visit places associated with these Apostles of Divine Mercy. The itinerary includes tours and prayer at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki and the Sanctuary of St. John Paul II “Do Not Be Afraid,” followed by personal prayer at Jasna Góra in front of the Black Madonna. The group will also visit the Sanctuary of St. Faustina’s Birth and Baptism in Świnice Warckie, as well as her family home in Głogowiec. For the participants, this pilgrimage will be a time of prayer and reflection on the lives of the saints and their personal spiritual journey.
On October 11, at 6.30 a.m., Mass will be celebrated in the intention of all those who have become involved in the work on the Chaplet for the Dying and the Perpetual Chaplet at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki. At the grace-famous image of Merciful Jesus and the tomb of St. Faustina, we will implore that more people join in these works, bringing mercy to those most in need. This Holy Mass is an expression of gratitude to the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy for jointly bringing the message of God’s merciful love for man to the world. May it bring great glory to Divine Mercy in human souls.
On October 8, the thanksgiving Mass on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the consecration of the Hungarian chapel (Communio Sanctorum) will be celebrated by the Primate of Hungary, Cardinal Péter Erdő, Metropolitan of Esztergom-Budapest, and will be attended by pilgrims from Hungary.
As you enter the Lower Basilica and walk towards St. Faustina’s Chapel, the Communio Sanctorum Chapel will be on the right. This Chapel was consecrated during a Hungarian pilgrimage on 9 October 2004 by Cardinal Péter Erdó, Primate of Hungary, and Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kraków. Its interior decoration is the gift of the Church in Hungary, and that is why it is also known as the Hungarian Chapel. Its side walls are decorated with a splendid series of mosaics depicting over 60 saints and blesseds from Hungary, Poland, and other European countries who have contributed some of the finest chapters in the history of the Church. They are grouped in separate clusters, and each cluster is inscribed with one of the Eight Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount, giving a commentary on their lives. This procession of saints is headed by Mary, the Mother of God. Over the marble altar there is a mosaic showing the Merciful Jesus and St. Faustina, circumscribed with the words Jesus, I trust in You in several languages. In front of the altar there is a reliquary in the shape of a right hand containing a relic of St. Stephen, Patron Saint of Hungary. The Chapel’s interior decoration was designed and made by the Hungarian artist Father László Puskás, who is a Uniate Greek Catholic priest, and his wife.
From October 4-7 of this year, Sr. Sangwina Kostecka from the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy at the Krakow-Łagiewniki Sanctuary will participate in the celebrations in honor of St. Sister Faustina in Luxembourg and Belgium. On October 5, a prayer vigil and veneration of the relics of the Apostle of Divine Mercy will take place at St. Martin’s Church in Beauraing. The program includes conferences led by Sr. Sangwina and Father Remy from the Sanctuary of St. Therese of Lisieux, focusing on St. Faustina and her prayers for priests. The celebrations will be attended by groups praying for priests and devotees of Divine Mercy from Luxembourg and Belgium.
On October 6, at the Shrine of Sister Faustina in Kiekrz, a pilgrimage ceremony will take place. Mass at noon on the Małe Kierskie Lake, in the place of the revelation of Jesus to St. Faustina, will be presided by Bishop Grzegorz Balcerek. It will be preceded by a procession with relics of St. Faustina, which will depart from the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy to the altar over a Małe Kierskie Lake. The preparation for this event will be the triduum from 3 to 5 of October. The Masses during the triduum will be celebrated at 6 pm.
The International Divine Mercy Apostles Days will take place at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki from October 4-6, under the theme There’s a Rescue – MERCY. The event offers a unique opportunity to gather and share fellowship with others who are embracing the path of trust and mercy, continuing the mission of St. Faustina in various parts of the world. Participants from 40 countries across all continents have confirmed their attendance. Each day’s program includes Holy Mass, conferences, communal prayer, personal testimonies, a visit to St. Faustina’s cell, and ceremonies for welcoming new members into the Faustinum Association.
On Sunday, October 6th, at 6:00 p.m., the solemn introduction of the relics of St. Sister Faustina will take place at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Suchedniów. The celebration will be presided over by Bishop Marek Solarczyk, the shepherd of the Radom Diocese, and Sister Tobiana and Sister Agnes from the convent of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki will participate. On this occasion, they will share the spiritual heritage of St. Faustina, especially the message of Mercy that Jesus sent her to proclaim to the whole world.
October 5 marks the 86th anniversary of the Apostle of Divine Mercy’s death. The day was recalled by the late Sister Eufemia Traczyńska as follows: On October 5, at dinner time, there was a bell. It was known that Sr. Faustina was dying. We dropped whatever we were doing and as we were, we went to see her. The chaplain was already in the infirmary with a few of the sisters. We prayed together. We prayed for a long time: the prayers for the dying, litanies and other prayers. We prayed for so long that even the evening Mass was held a little later than usual. At some point, Sr. Faustina gave a sign for Mother Superior to lean toward her, and she said that she would not die yet, and that she would let us know when she would. The sisters left. … When I returned to my cell, I entered the chapel and prayed for the souls in purgatory, asking that they awaken me when Sr. Faustina was dying, because I really wanted to be with her at the moment of her death. I was afraid to ask Mother Superior outright, for we young novices were not allowed to go in there, in case we should be infected with tuberculosis. Sister Amelia was allowed in, because she was already sick. I went to bed at the usual time and immediately fell asleep. Suddenly, someone wakes me up: “Sister, if you want to be present at the death of Sr. Faustina, get up now.” I immediately realized that a mistake had been made… The one who came to wake Sr. Amelia, got into the wrong cell and came to me instead. As soon as I could, I woke Sr. Amelia, I put on my smock and cap, and quickly ran to the infirmary. Sister Amelia followed. It was around eleven at night. When we came there, Sr. Faustina seemed to slightly open her eyes and she smiled a little, and then bowed her head and that was it… Sister Amelia said she probably just died. I looked at Sr. Amelia, but I did not say anything. We prayed on. The candle was burning all the time.
It was the day that Sister Faustina waited longingly for, as she awaited her full union with Jesus to dwell forever in the Father’s house, the heavenly homeland, as she used to say. She promised: I shall not forget you, O poor Earth, thought I feel I shall immediately sink completely in God, as in an ocean of bliss; but it will not prevent me from coming back to Earth and fortifying and encouraging souls to trust in Divine mercy. In fact, being submerged in God will give me unlimited scope for action (Diary, 1582). She faithfully keeps her word, interceding for many graces and earthly blessings to all who confidently turn to her for help. After all, Jesus said to her: “Do whatever you wish; distribute graces as you wish, to whomever and whenever you wish” (Diary, 31).
The liturgical feast of St. Faustina, October 5th, at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in the chapel with the miracle-famous image of Merciful Jesus and the tomb of St. Faustina, Holy Mass will be celebrated at 6.30 am, 11.00 am, 5.00 pm and 7.00 pm. Prayer at the Hour of Mercy and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be recited at 3pm, as on all days. From 8.30 pm in the basilica, Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament will be led by Sisters from the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy. The evening of grace and praise will end at 10.45 pm, i.e., at the hour when St. Faustina departed to the House of the Lord. In the basilica, Holy Masses will be celebrated at: 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 3:20 pm, 6:00 pm.
On October 5, which is the anniversary of St. Faustina’s birth in Heaven, the site where the Apostle of Divine Mercy left the earth to go to the Heavenly Father’s house, will be opened to visitors. Usually, it is unavailable for pilgrims, because it is inside the religious cloister. Entering the Shrine, you can only see a plaque and the window of the old infirmary decorated with flowers. On October 5, however, the oratory, in which the relics of St. Faustina body are deposited, along with more than a hundred relics of other saints and blessed, will be made available to pilgrims from 10.00 am to 6.30 pm.
A triduum of Holy Masses will be held at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki from October 2-4, in preparation for the feast of St. Faustina. The Masses will take place each day at 5 p.m., with sermons focusing on St. Faustina as viewed by her Krakow confessor and spiritual director, Fr. Józef Andrasz, S.J. The sermons will be delivered by Fr. Mariusz Balcerak, vice-postulant in the beatification process of Bl. Józef Andrasz, S.J.
Indulgent celebrations in honor of St. Faustina, the patron saint of Łódź, will begin on Saturday, October 5, at 12:00 p.m. in the Juliusz Słowacki park known as “Wenecja” (ul. Pabianicka), where St. Faustina experienced a vision of the suffering Jesus during a dance party. A large “Belgian” dance will be held there, with many participants joining in the celebration. Following the dance, a Run for Meaning will trace the path that Helena Kowalska (later known as St. Faustina) took 100 years ago, leading participants to the Łódź Cathedral. At 1:00 p.m. in the church, Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament will take place, followed by an act of entrustment of the Archdiocese of Łódź to Divine Mercy, and a conference on Christian vocation. Around 2:30 p.m., a procession with the relics of St. Faustina will proceed along Piotrkowska Street to the church dedicated to her at Plac Niepodległości. There, a solemn Mass will be celebrated at approximately 3:00 p.m., presided over by Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, the metropolitan archbishop of Łódź.
On September 28-29 of this year, Sr. Marlena Robak from the Kiekrz community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will share the life and prophetic mission of St. Faustina with the faithful at the Parish of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Poznań.
On September 29 of this year, Sr. Tymoteusza Kmiotek and Sr. Wincenta Mąka from the Roman community of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy will meet with the faithful at the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption in Cagliari. The parish is preparing to receive the relics of St. Faustina, so the sisters will speak about the life of the Apostle of Divine Mercy, her prophetic mission, and the spiritual school she brought into the Church’s history. The program includes, in addition to conferences, joint prayer during the Hour of Mercy, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and a fraternal gathering.
On September 28, we will be celebrating the anniversary of the beatification of Fr. Michael Sopocko. At 3 pm on squares, corners and intersections of the streets in crowded cities, as well as in other public places and at rural crossroads, people will gather to recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. The participants will pray for mercy for themselves, their loved ones, their homeland, the Church and the world. Everyone can join. The event is held to remind us about the message of God’s mercy that Jesus gave to St. Faustina. Just find a place at an intersection and recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, individually or in a group. If this is impossible – you can connect spiritually. More: www.iskra.jezuici.pl.
On Saturday, 28th of September, 15th Living Rosary Pilgrimage will come to the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki. The program for the meeting includes a 10 am prayer and welcoming of the pilgrims at the Basilica, a special sermon, rosary, and a solemn Mass. The pilgrims will also visit the chapel with the grace-famous image of Merciful Jesus and the tomb of St. Faustina.
Under this title, from September 20th to 22nd, a retreat on the dignity of women will be held at St. Joseph Parish in Makinsk, Kazakhstan. It will be led by Sr. Anastasis Omelchenko from the Petropavlovsk community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, Sr. Kazimiera Wanat, and Fr. Hans Reiner. The program includes reflections on the Word of God, lectures, and workshops, as well as the message of Divine Mercy that Jesus conveyed to St. Faustina.
On September 21-22 of this year, Sister Faustyna Olszewska from the Kiekrz community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will share the message and spiritual heritage of Saint Faustyna with the faithful at the Parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Poniec, Archdiocese of Poznań.
On September 20, following the initiative of Fr. Tomasz Flak, S.C.J., the provost at the Parish of the Elevation of the Holy Cross in Sosnowiec at ul. Bohaterów Getta 31, the first formation meeting of the Faustinum Association of the Apostles of Divine Mercy will be held. It will be hosted by Sr. Clareta Fečova, vice-President of the Association, and Sr. Maria Faustyna Ciborowska from the Krakow convent of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. The meeting agenda includes Holy Mass, communal prayer, a presentation about God revealing Himself, and integration.
From September 13th to 15th, a retreat for girls and women will be held at the Discalced Carmelite Monastery in Lorinčík near Košice in southern Slovakia under the theme: “Who are you to me, and who am I to you, Jesus…” The retreat will be led by Fr. Andrej Valent OCD and Sr. M. Benediktína Fečová from the Košice community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.
On Sunday, September 1st, the Diocesan Shrine of Divine Mercy in the KVP district of Kosice, Slovakia, will celebrate the 12th anniversary of the church’s consecration. On this occasion, a parish day of communities will take place, with the Faustinum association being well represented. The program will begin with a solemn Holy Mass at 10:00 a.m. and will conclude with a communal prayer at the Hour of Mercy and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, accompanied by adoration led by the sisters of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy from Kosice. The Divine Mercy service will be broadcast by LUX Television.
We would like to dedicate these words of St. John Paul II to all benefactors and donors of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, as their cash donations and personal involvement in their apostolic work bring a gift to the world: the message of Mercy, which Jesus entrusted to St. Faustina. Particularly, we would like to thank, here at this website, those who support it and who participate in the works which are implemented through it, especially the “Chaplet for the Dying” and the on-line video streaming from the Shrine in Krakow-Łagiewniki. Thanks to this support, in the Jubilee Year of Mercy, we have purchased a new camera to broadcast the on-line streams and news on all seven language pages and through the Faustyna.pl application. We pray daily for all donors and benefactors, recommending their intentions to the Divine Mercy through the intercession of St. Faustina.
We pray daily for all benefactors and donors, entrusting their intentions to Divine Mercy through the intercession of St. Faustina. The next Holy Mass for those supporting the online broadcast will be celebrated on August 27 at 5:00 PM at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki, before the miraculous image of the Merciful Jesus and at the tomb of St. Faustina.
On August 22, the 21th bicycle pilgrimage will set off from the parish of St. Joseph in Wola, Warsaw, and the parish of Divine Mercy in Grójec to the family home of St. Faustina in Głogowiec. On the trail, the pilgrims are awaited at six Marian shrines (Rokitno, Niepokalanów, Szymanów, Miedniewice, Domaniewice and Mąkolice). They will reach Głogowiec on August 24th. On August 25, at approx. 8.00 am, Holy Mass will be celebrated outside. After the service, the pilgrims will visit the parish church in Świnice Warckie, which is the Baptismal Shrine of St. Faustina. The will also pray at the nearby cemetery with the graves of the parents and siblings of the Apostle of Divine Mercy. The pilgrims can join even on the day of the departure, on the route from Warsaw, Lodz, Rawa Mazowiecka or Grójec.
On the Sunday, this year on August 25th, an annual indulgence at the Baptismal Shrine of the Apostle of Divine Mercy in Świnice Warckie will be held. At 10.00 am, a procession celebrating the relics of the Saint will proceed from her family home in Głogowiec to the parish church in Świnice Warckie, where at the field altar at 12.00 pm solemn Mass will be celebrated. Pilgrims coming from all over Poland and other countries will remain there to pray at the Hour of Mercy (3.00 pm) and recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. In the family home and parish of St. Faustina, two communities of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy live and operate: the active one and the closed one.
Every day in Poland, an average of more than 1,000 people pass away. Globally, at any given moment, countless individuals require not only medical assistance but, more importantly, spiritual support. This spiritual care is crucial in the final hours as individuals transition from this world to eternity. The Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy runs the Chaplet for the Dying initiative, offering swift assistance—sometimes within 20 seconds—through mobile and Internet communications. This aid is facilitated by individuals who participate through prayer or financial support. This year, volunteers from 40 countries have pledged their support, but more are needed to urgently provide prayers for those in their final moments. To learn more about participating and to access the entry form, visit www.saint-faustina.org
The sisters warmly invite you to join this meaningful work of mercy and assure you of their prayers. The next Mass dedicated to this cause, praying for a serene death for the dying and eternal joy for the departed, will be celebrated on August 20 at 5 p.m. at the Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki, in front of the renowned image of the Merciful Jesus and at the tomb of St. Faustina.
On Saturday, August 24, the annual Slovak National Pilgrimage to the Rock Sanctuary of Divine Mercy on Mount Butkov in Slovakia will take place. The celebrations will begin with a joint prayer during the Hour of Mercy and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, led by the Sisters of the Congregation of the Mother of God’s Mercy from both Slovak communities. The solemn Holy Mass in honor of Our Lady of Mercy will be celebrated at 3:45 PM.
The place dedicated to the veneration of Divine Mercy on Mount Butkov (11th floor of the quarry), where a large illuminated Cross, as well as monuments of St. Faustina and St. John Paul II, and a 9-meter statue of Our Lady of Mercy, have been previously installed, is part of the “Rock Sanctuary of Divine Mercy” with the temple in Ladce.
On August 17-18 this year, Divine Mercy devotees will gather at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki for the XI National Pilgrimage. This event commemorates the anniversary of the consecration of the Divine Mercy Basilica and the entrustment of the world to Divine Mercy by St. John Paul II. Key Event Highlights include a Eucharist celebration at 12:00 PM on Saturday by Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski, Metropolitan of Krakow. Throughout the event, various works of mercy will be showcased in tents set up in the square in front of the basilica. The group Promyczki Dobra will perform two concerts on Saturday, scheduled for 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM, in the St. John Paul II Auditorium. For more information and a detailed program, visit the Shrine Rector’s website, at www.misericordia.eu.
For the first time, a summer pilgrimage will be held from August 3-11 from the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Spišská Nova Ves, Slovakia, to the Rock Shrine on Mount Butkov. The pilgrimage is organized by the Pallottine Fathers, and will be attended, among others, by Sr. Pavla Stanovčáková from the community of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy in Dvur Králové. The route the pilgrims will take is more than 225 kilometers.
