The History of the Divine Mercy

How it began:

February 22, 1931:

Jesus appeared in a vision to a young Polish nun, Sis. Maria Faustina Kowalska inside a convent in Vilnius, Poland.

“Tell the whole world about My mercy; that whoever approaches the Fount of Life on this day will be granted complete remission of sins and punishment. Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy.” Diary 699.

Sis.  MARIA FAUSTINA

  • Born Helena Kowalska, August 25, 1905, Poland
  • 3rd of 10 children
  • Reached third grade
  • Heard the interior call to religious life at the age of 7 entered the convent at 20
  • At a young age, has shown devotion to prayer, obedience, humility and love for suffering.

June 1934:

The first Divine Mercy image was completed under Sis. Faustina’s directions; she wept in disappointment and complained to Jesus: “Who will paint You as beautiful as You are? Diary 313.

Sis. FAUSTINA: SECRETARY and APOSTLE of MERCY

July 1934:

Sis. Faustina started to keep a diary; about 600 pages recording the revelations she received about God’s mercy. ‘Divine Mercy in my Soul

 

October 5, 1938:

Sis. Faustina died at the age of 33 from tuberculosis.

“I feel certain that my mission will not come to an end upon my death but will begin… I will draw aside for you the veils of heaven to convince you of God’s goodness.” Diary 281. 

GOD’S ENORMOUS LOVE FOR POLAND

1934-1941:

Divine Mercy message spreads first among the victims of World War II. Under attack then, all of Poland suffered destruction except in Vilnius and Krakow where the Divine Mercy was first made known.

March 6, 1959:

Vatican issued a notification banning Divine Mercy devotion.

1965-1967:

Karol Wojtyla, an Archbishop of Krakow, led the informative process to validate revelations of the Divine Mercy, and the virtues and life of Sis. Faustina.

April 15, 1978:

Based on the results of the informative process, the Vatican lifted the ban on Divine Mercy.

October 16, 1978:

Cardinal Karol Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II.

April 18, 1993 (2nd Sunday of Easter):

Sis. Faustina was beatified.

April 30, 2000:

Blessed Faustina was canonized in Rome; Divine Mercy Sunday was proclaimed.

September 8, 2008:

Fr. Michael Sopocko was beatified; the extra ordinary Polish priest, confessor and spiritual guide to Sis. Faustina Kowalska; known as the “only priest who believed Sis. Faustina”.

May 1, 2011 (Feast of Mercy):

Pope John Paul II was beatified

April 27, 2014 (Feast of Mercy):

Pope John Paul was canonized. “From Poland will come forth the SPARK that would prepare the world for My final coming.” Diary 1732