Helen Kowalska was born in 1905 to a very poor family that struggled hard
to make a living on their little farm. When she was old enough she entered
the convent of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Cracow,
Poland, and took the name Sr. Faustina. She had only three years of very
simple education, and was given the humblest tasks in the convent, usually
in the kitchen or the vegetable garden, or as porter.
On February 22, 1931, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ appeared to this
simple nun, bringing with Him a wonderful message of Mercy for all
mankind. Sister Faustina wrote in her diary on this date: "In the
evening, when I was in my cell, I became aware of the Lord Jesus clothed
in a white garment. One hand was raised in blessing, the other was touching
the garment at the breast. From the opening in the garment at the breast
came forth two large rays, one red, and the other pale. In silence I gazed
intently at the Lord; my soul was overwhelmed with fear, but also with
great joy. After a while Jesus said to me: "paint an image acording to the
pattern you see, with the inscription: 'Jesus, I trust in You.'"Some time later, Our Lord again spoke to her: "The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous; the red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the depths of My most tender Mercy at that time when My agonizing heart was opened by a lance on the Cross...Fortunate is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him."
As a further sign of His forgiving love, Jesus called for a Feast of the Divine Mercy to be celebrated in the whole Church. He said to Sr. Faustina: "I want this image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter; that Sunday is to be the Feast of Mercy. On that day the depths of My Mercy will be open to all. Whoever will go to confession and Holy Communion on that day will receive complete forgiveness of sin and punishment. Mankind will not enjoy peace until it turns with confidence to My Mercy."
Jesus further asked that this Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave her an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said: "These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."
Sr. Faustina died on October 5, 1938. On March 7, 1992, her virtues were declared heroic. On December 21, 1992, a healing through Sr. Faustina's intercession was declared a miracle, and on April 18, 1993, Pope John Paul II had the honor to declare the Venerable Servant of God Sister Faustina Blessed.