August 17th is the 23th anniversary of the entrustment of the world to Divine Mercy by Pope John Paul II during his last pilgrimage to Poland at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki. After the consecration of the basilica, the Holy Father uttered words in which he entrusted the fate of the world and every human being to God, the Father rich in Mercy. These words became a daily prayer not only for the sisters of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy and the pilgrims coming to the Łagiewniki Shrine, but also to millions of people in the world.
God, Father of Mercy,
Who revealed Your love in your Son, Jesus Christ,
And poured it upon us in the Holy Spirit the Comforter,
today we entrust to you the fate of the world and every human being.
Look upon over us sinners,
heal our weakness,
overcome all the evil,
let all the inhabitants of the Earth experience Your Mercy,
In You, the Triune God,
we have always found a source of hope.
God, Father of Mercy,
for your painful torment and the Resurrection of Your Son
have mercy on us and on the whole world.
On August 16–17 this year, devotees of Divine Mercy will come to the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki as part of the 12th National Pilgrimage, organized on the anniversary of the consecration of the Basilica of Divine Mercy and the entrustment of the world to Divine Mercy by St. John Paul II. On Sunday, the Eucharist at 12:00 p.m. will be presided over by Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz. The pilgrimage program includes the presentation of works of mercy in tents on the square in front of the basilica, and on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in the St. John Paul II Hall, a concert entitled “Beautiful is Your Mercy” performed by Paweł Bębenek with his ensemble. More information and the detailed program are available on the Sanctuary Rectorate’s website: www.misericordia.eu.
On the occasion of the centenary of Saint Sister Faustina’s entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, on August 17 this year, Sister Livia Mikołajczyk will share her spiritual heritage and mission of proclaiming the message of Mercy to the world with the faithful of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish in Woskrzenice Duże (Diocese of Siedlce). Saint Sister Faustina is already present in this parish community in the sign of her holy relics.
On Saturday, August 16 this year, in the convent of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki, the silver jubilee of the religious profession of Sr. M. Damaris will be celebrated. At 12:00 noon, in the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki, before the miraculous image of the Merciful Jesus and at the tomb of St. Faustina, a solemn Eucharist will be celebrated under the presiding of Fr. Marek Wójtowicz, SJ, with the renewal by the Jubilarian of the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience — whose external sign is a silver ring engraved with the name: Jesus. Sisters from other convents of the Congregation, as well as the Family and persons entrusted to her apostolic work, will join in thanksgiving prayer for the gift of the Jubilarian and in her intentions.
The tenth walking pilgrimage from the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Spiš to the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy on Mount Butkov near Ladce will begin on Saturday, August 2, and will last until Sunday, August 10. The pilgrimage is organized by the Pallottines from Michalovce, and the pilgrims — including Sr. Pavla Stanovčáková from the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy — will walk a route of approximately 246 kilometers.
The site dedicated to honoring Divine Mercy on Mount Butkov (11th level of the quarry), where a large illuminated Cross as well as monuments of St. Faustina and St. John Paul II were previously placed, is part of the “Rock Sanctuary of Divine Mercy” with a church in Ladce.
On August 5, the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of the Snows, the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy celebrates its patronal feast, honoring its Patroness – the Mother of Mercy Incarnate. On this day, the election of Mary as the heavenly Superior General of the Congregation has been traditionally renewed since in 1937, in the form of a special, ceremonial prayer. Saint Faustina wrote in her Diary: I saw the Virgin Mary and She said to me, Oh, how very pleased I am with the homage of your love! And at that moment She covered all the sisters of the Congregation with Her mantle. With Her right hand, She clasped Mother General Michael to herself, and with Her left hand she did the so to me, while all the sisters were at Her feet, covered with Her mantle. Then the Mother of God said hen the Mother of God said, Everyone who perseveres zealously till death in My Congregation will be spared the fire of purgatory (Diary, 1244). This day is the anniversary of the dedication of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the oldest church in the West dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Pope Sixtus III, to celebrate the end of the stormy Council of Ephesus (431 AD), which declared the dogma of the divine motherhood of Mary (Theotokos), introduced the feast of the Mother of the Son of God, which was first celebrated in this particular basilica, and with time, successive Popes expanded it to the whole Church. Today, the liturgical calendar of the Church contains the memorial of Our Lady of the Snows, commemorating the miracle associated with the rise of the basilica, and this name is functioning in the minds of the faithful. Therefore, the first circumstance of the establishment of the feast of Mary as Mother of the Son of God – Mercy Incarnate, has been forgotten. For more information about Mary the Mother of Mercy, Her title, worship and iconography in the Church and Congregation, follow the link: Our Lady of Mercy.
On July 27, a novena before the feast of the Patron of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, which falls on August 5, will start. During the novena, the Chaplet of Our Lady of Mercy is sung or recited. In this prayer we ask Mary to defend us from our enemies, accept us at the hour of death and beg for the Mercy of her Son for us. In the chapel of the miracle-famous image of Merciful Jesus and the tomb of St. Faustina, the novena is celebrated on weekdays at 7 pm, while on Sundays at 6:30 pm. The words of the Chaplet of Our Lady of Mercy.
On August 4 of this year – after a period of initial trial of religious life – three postulants (a Pole, a Brazilian, and a Belarusian) will receive a new name and the novice’s habit, and will begin a two-year novitiate, after which they will make their first religious vows. This year, the investiture ceremony is being held exceptionally in Warsaw, in honor of the 100th anniversary of St. Faustina’s entrance into the Congregation. Traditionally, however, it will be celebrated behind the enclosure. The Holy Mass for the intention of the sisters beginning their novitiate will be celebrated in the convent chapel under the leadership of Fr. Wiesław Kulisz SJ.
On August 1st, it will be 100 years since Helena Kowalska, known throughout the world under her religious name of Sister Faustina, joined the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. Despite explicit instructions from Jesus to go to Warsaw and enter a convent to begin monastic life, her way to start following her vocation was not easy. As she wrote in her Diary, she knocked on the doors of many convents, but she was accepted nowhere. It was only in the convent at ul. Żytnia in Warsaw that she received an approval to join, but not before she spends a year working as a maid to earn a modest dowry. Finally, on August 1st, 1925 she stepped over the threshold of the closure, and wrote in her Diary: I felt immensely happy; it seemed to me that I had stepped into the life of Paradise. A single prayer was bursting forth from my heart, one of thanksgiving (Diary, 17). She then spent 13 years in many convents of the Congregation, fulfilling simple duties, and at the same time leading a very deep spiritual life. The Lord sent St. Faustina to the world to remind people of the Biblical truth about the merciful love of God to each human being and call them to proclaim it with a new power of witness, deed, word and prayer.
On August 1, 2025, the 100th anniversary of St. Faustina’s entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will be celebrated. On this occasion, central celebrations will take place at the Warsaw convent and the Sanctuary of St. Faustina on Żytnia Street. The solemn Eucharist will be presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Warsaw, Adrian Galbas. The program will also include a monodrama based on St. Faustina’s “Diary” entitled Secretary of Divine Mercy performed by Barbara Misiun, tours of the museum in the convent’s basement, conferences, and a night vigil in the former chapel of the Congregation, now the parish and Sanctuary of St. Faustina.
This central celebration in the Year of St. Faustina will be attended not only by sisters from many convents of the Congregation but also by members and volunteers of the “Faustinum” Association, friends, collaborators, and benefactors of the Congregation.
Mother Michaela Moraczewska, who at the time was the superior of the convent in Warsaw on Żytnia Street and who later became the Superior General, recalled the entrance of Helena Kowalska – Saint Sister Faustina – into the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.
In 1924, one spring morning, when I was Superior of the house in Żytnia Street, I was told by a person working at our gate that a young girl had come to ask to be admitted to the Congregation. So I went down to the parlour and opened the door slightly, however, at first glance, the candidate, who was sitting in such a way that she did not see me, did not make a good impression on me because her appearance was a bit shabby. I thought: well, she is not for us! I closed the door quietly with the intention of sending in another sister to tell the candidate that her request had been turned down.
However, at that moment it came to me that it would be more in accordance with the love of neighbour to ask the girl a few general questions and only then to say goodbye. Therefore, I returned to the parlour and started talking with her. Then I noticed that on further acquaintance the candidate made a much better impression, that her smile and facial expression were nice, that there was a lot of simplicity and honesty about her and that what she said was very sensible. Therefore, I soon changed my mind and I started to feel like admitting her. The main difficulty was that Helenka Kowalska was poor, not to mention the lack of a dowry, from which the Holy See easily dispensed sisters. She did not have any trousseau and we did not have any fund for it either. However, I suggested that she could go to work as a housekeeper and save a few hundred zlotys for the trousseau. She was very eager to do that and we agreed that she would bring the money to the gate in order to give it in for safekeeping. It was decided that she would do that. Soon after I said goodbye to her and forgot about it.
The admission of Helena Kowalska – Saint Sister Faustina – to the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy was described in a memoir by Sr. Borgia Tichy, who later became her superior at the Vilnius house.
Fragments from the life of Sr. M. Faustina Kowalska that come back to my memory reach as far back as the moment of her entry into the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. I clearly remember the moment – it was in Warsaw at Żytnia 3/9 – in 1924, when one day, during the midday recreation, the then portress, the late Sr. Klara Himmer, entered the assembly hall and announced to the Mother General, Leokadia Cielecka, a “new vocation”. In response, the Mother General immediately delegated the late Mother Małgorzata to the gate to examine it. After a short while, Mother Małgorzata returned and reported aloud: “Nothing extraordinary.” – “Unremarkable, a bit older than usual, rather frail in build, a servant, a cook by profession, and what’s more – possessing not even the smallest dowry or trousseau.” Since Mother Cielecka was not particularly enthusiastic about vocations from that background, she wanted to refuse immediately. The superior of the Warsaw house, Mother Michaela, who was present at recreation, asked if she could personally see this vocation. She received permission gladly.
After a while, returning from the parlour, Mother Michaela stated that despite the mentioned shortcomings, the candidate made a very good impression on her, and therefore she proposed not to reject her outright but to set some conditions, and if fulfilled, she could ask for admission again, with a specific date indicated.
One year later, precisely on time, Helenka Kowalska appeared at the gate, renewing her request. This time she was not refused. She remained at Żytnia as an aspirant.
On July 31st, the liturgical calendar includes a commemoration of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus and one of the patron saints of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, which has benefited from Ignatian spirituality throughout its history. Saint Faustina mentions this Saint twice in her Diary, when she writes about his advice concerning keeping the vow of obedience, and on the occasion of her the vision in 1935: The Feast of St. Ignatius. I prayed fervently to this Saint, complaining and asking how he could watch me and not come to my assistance in such important matters, that is in fulfilling God’s will. I said to the Saint: “You, who are our Patron, you were burning with the fire of love and zeal for the greater glory of God, I humbly ask you, please help me carry out God’s plans.” It was during Mass. Then I saw St. Ignatius on the left-hand side of the altar with a big book in his hands. He said to me: “My daughter, I am not indifferent to your affairs; this rule can be applied to the Congregation as well.” With his hand he pointed to the book and vanished. I was extremely pleased that the Saints have us very much in their thoughts and that they are in close touch with us. O, divine Goodness, how beautiful the spiritual world is, if we can be in communion with the Saints already here on earth. All day long I felt that this Patron Saint, whom I hold so dear, was close by my side.
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”. Specjal intention for July: for safe holidays for those who rest and that everyone may use this time to grow spiritually in their trust in God and in the richness of mercy shown to people.
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.
Under this motto, on July 25–27 this year, retreats from the “Women in the Bible” series will take place at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki. Participants will explore the biblical Annas—what filled their hearts over the years, what they struggled with, and what truly enabled them not to lose hope. They will seek answers to these questions in the context of personal longings and uncertainties of fate. The retreats will be led by biblical scholar Sr. Maria Faustyna Ciborowska from the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.
The liturgical calendar includes compulsory commemoration of St. Mary Magdalene, who is the patroness of good change, on 22 of July. Since the beginning, this Saint is the patron of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy, especially of the girls and women in need of moral regeneration, the education of whom is the main task of the sisters. Images and statues of Mary Magdalene are found in many convents of the Congregation. In the convent chapel of the miracle-famous image of Merciful Jesus and the tomb of St. Faustina at the Shrine in Krakow-Lagiewniki, her the statue is located in the main altar which is dedicated to the patron saint of the Congregation – Our Lady of Mercy.
On July 22, 2025, the traditional “Evening with Merciful Jesus” will be held at the National Shrine of St. John Paul II in Washington, USA. The event will be led by the sisters from the Washington community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. The program includes the Hour of Mercy and the Chaplet, adoration with praise of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and intercessory prayer, the sacrament of confession, and a conference. Sister Faustia Szaboóva will speak about the power of Jesus’ blood based on St. Faustina’s “Diary.”
“Evenings with Merciful Jesus” are organized for young people who want to follow in the footsteps of St. Faustina and St. John Paul II and discover a new quality of life in friendship with Merciful Jesus.
On July 10, the 23th “From Mercy to Mercy” Greater Poland’s Pilgrimage will depart from the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Ostrów Wielkopolski for the capital of the Divine Mercy veneration in Krakow-Łagiewniki. The pilgrims will arrive on July 21. On the way, on July 16th they will be joined by more pilgrims from the Poznan Foot Pilgrimage to Jasna Góra, who will be extending their walking route beyond Czestochowa – to Krakow-Łagiewniki. Spiritually, they will be joined by listeners of Radio Rodzina from the Diocese of Kalisz.
On July 11, the 13th International Walking Pilgrimage will set off from Hidasnemeti (Hungary) across Slovakia to the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki. During the nine days, the pilgrims will make their way along a 275 km route through Kosice, Radatice, Pečowská Nová Ves, Plavnica, Piwniczna Zdrój, Gostwica, Tymbark and Brzączowice. The pilgrimage will reach Krakow on July 19. At 3 pm, prayer at the Hour of Mercy and Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be recited in the chapel of the convent before the miracle-famous image of Merciful Jesus and the tomb of St. Faustina.
July 16 is the 159th anniversary of the death of Mother Thérèse Rondeau, the founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in France (Laval), and co-founder of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland. She was born on October 6, 1793 in Laval, France. She was christened Theresa Agatha. Under the influence of her confessor, Fr. J. Chanon, S.J., Theresa undertook working with penitent women, that is to say women in need of deep moral renewal and willing to change their lives. In order to prepare better for this work, in 1818 she moved to Bordeaux, where Mother Teresa de Lamourous ran a house for penitent women, which was called “Mercy”. After a two-month stay, Theresa Rondeau made private vows and returned to Laval to become the foundress of a new work, independent from Bordeaux, and in time this became the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in France. Mother Teresa Potocka, née Ewa Sułkowska, who later became the foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland, adopted the spirituality of the French Congregation and their way of conducting apostolic work. Mother Teresa Rondeau died on 16 July 1866 and was buried within the grounds of the Congregation in Laval; her tomb is in a garden belonging to the convent. Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland has named a co-founder. The spiritual co-founder of the Congregation is St. Faustina Kowalska.
Under this theme, from July 10–14, a retreat will be held at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki for those who wish to perceive God’s merciful love in their lives and share it with the world. The retreat will be led by Fr. Stanisław Witkowski MS, Doctor Habilitated, biblical scholar, retreat leader, and lecturer at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Kraków, along with sisters from the retreat community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy: Sr. M. Emanuela Gemza ISMM, president of the Association of the Apostles of Divine Mercy “Faustinum,” and Sr. M. Diana Kuczek ISMM, responsible for the formation of communities and individuals in “Faustinum” and editor-in-chief of The Message of Mercy. The retreat is organized by the Association of the Apostles of Divine Mercy “Faustinum.” More information: faustinum.pl
From July 10–14, a retreat for members and volunteers of the “Faustinum” Association will take place at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki. The theme will be trust in God—its proper understanding and the obstacles to it. The retreat will be led by Fr. Stanisław Witkowski, MS, Doctor Habilitated, biblical scholar, retreat leader, and lecturer at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Kraków, together with sisters from the retreat community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy: Sr. M. Emanuela Gemza, ISMM, president of the Association of the Apostles of Divine Mercy “Faustinum,” and Sr. M. Diana Kuczek, ISMM, responsible for the formation of communities and individuals in “Faustinum” and editor-in-chief of The Message of Mercy. The retreat is organized by the Association of the Apostles of Divine Mercy “Faustinum.” More information at: faustinum.pl
On 6 July falls the 144th anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa Ewa nee Sułkowska, Countess Potocka, the founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland. Is it a small thing to save one soul, she wrote. This idea guided her life and work, which she established to rescue women and girls in need of deep moral renewal (“the Magdalenas”). The Congregation later gave to the Church and the world the trasure that was Sister Faustina, apostle of Divine Mercy who is now recognized as its spiritual co-founder. Mother Teresa Potocka died in the palace of Wilanów. Her mortal remains rest in the tomb of the Congregation at the Powązki cemetery in Warsaw. We do not call her a saint, because only the Church has the right to give that title, said Fr. Zygmunt Golian, her spiritual director, in the funeral speech. However, let our efforts at work, for which he was ready to give her life, prove her sanctity. More information about the life and work of Mother Teresa Potocka can be found here.
From July 4 to 6, the next gathering of members and volunteers of the Association of Apostles of Divine Mercy “Faustinum” from Italy is taking place in Turin under the motto: “In Your mercy is hope.” The event will be attended by Sr. Emanuela Gemza, president of the “Faustinum” association at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki, and Sr. Wincenta Mąka from the Roman community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.
Under this motto, a retreat for women will be held from June 27–29 at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki as part of the series “With Faustina in Everyday Life.” The theme for these spiritual exercises is a quote from the Diary of St. Faustina: “Under His loving gaze, my soul gains strength and power, becomes aware that it loves and is especially loved, and knows that the Almighty defends it” (Diary, 815). The retreat will be led by Sr. Gaudia Skass from the Kraków community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, who also serves as the spokesperson.
More information: www.faustinum.pl
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 for June: For the protection of children from demoralization and for necessary graces for young people, so that they are not tempted by easy happiness, but will make life choices according to Gospel values.
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 June, during the evening worship, the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is traditionally sung in churches in Poland. This is also true for the chapels of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. In the Shrine in Krakow-Łagiewniki, this takes place in the chapel of the miracle-famous Divine Mercy image and the tomb of St. Faustina. The June devotions are celebrated every day at 7:00 pm and at 6:30 pm on Sundays and other holidays.
On Saturday, June 28 of this year, the third meeting of the members and volunteers of the Association of Apostles of Divine Mercy Faustinum from the Czech Republic and Slovakia will take place at the Dominican monastery in Zvolen. The theme of the gathering is: “Mercy – is there anything more in life?” The program includes conferences, sharing experiences of God’s mercy and apostolate, the Eucharist, testimonies, and adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The meeting will conclude with the Hour of Mercy prayer and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
On June 22 of this year, at the Sanctuary of Our Lady, Protector and Queen of Families, Sr. Anna Maria and Sr. Norberta from the Sanctuary community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki will share the message of Mercy and the spiritual legacy of St. Faustina, as recorded in her “Diary.”
On June 22 of this year, at the Church of Our Lady of Ostra Brama in Chrzanów, Sr. Tobiana and Sr. Maksyma from the Sanctuary community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki will share the message of Mercy and the spiritual legacy of St. Faustina, as recorded in her “Diary,” with the faithful of the parish during Sunday Holy Masses.
