Saint Faustina Kowalska: Messenger of Divine Mercy
Learn about the Polish nun who received visions of Jesus Christ and became the apostle of Divine Mercy.
By CandleFaith Team
Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938) is one of the most influential saints of the 20th century. Her visions of Christ and message of Divine Mercy have changed the Church.
Early Life
Helena Kowalska was born in Głogówiec, Poland, the third of ten children. From a young age, she felt called to religious life despite family hardships. At age 20, she entered the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.
The Visions
In 1931, Jesus appeared to Sister Faustina in a convent in Płock. He showed her His radiance—white and red light—and asked her to paint what she saw. This became the famous Image of Divine Mercy, now venerated worldwide.
Jesus told her: "Paint the image according to the pattern you see with the signature: 'Jesus, I trust in You.'" He promised that anyone who venerated the image would receive great graces.
The Divine Mercy Message
Jesus gave Faustina a message for the whole world:
- Trust in God's mercy
- Be merciful to others
- Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
- Observe the Hour of Mercy (3 PM)
Diary of Saint Faustina
Faustina wrote everything in her Diary, now over 700 pages. She recorded her encounters with Jesus, instructions for the Divine Mercy devotion, her struggles and spiritual battles, and insights into God's love and mercy.
Canonization
Faustina died in 1938 at age 33, the same age as Christ. Pope John Paul II canonized her in 2005, making Divine Mercy Sunday (the first Sunday after Easter) a universal feast.
How to Observe Divine Mercy
- 1Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet - especially at 3 PM
- 2Venerate the Image of Divine Mercy
- 3Observe the Hour of Mercy - 3 to 4 PM
- 4Trust in God's mercy - no sin is greater than His mercy
Prayer
"Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but always confident in Your help. Amen."
Visit our Saints page to explore other holy men and women whose lives inspire our faith.