On April 4th, at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki, in the chapel with the famous image of the Merciful Jesus and the tomb of St. Faustina, a Way of the Cross service for foreigners will begin at 7:45 PM. The devotion will be conducted in English, with reflections also in other languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, Slovak, Russian, Swahili, and Hindi (India). The event is organized by the Sisters of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy and participants of the Sunday English-language Eucharist at the Łagiewniki Shrine.
Under this motto, from March 31 to April 2 this year, a retreat will be held for children from the Primary School of the Silesian Land in Piece and the Tadeusz Kościuszko Primary School in Gaszowice. It will be led by Sr. Tobiana and Sr. Agnes from the Krakow community of the Congregation of the Mother of God of Mercy, using methods that actively engage participants in this encounter with Merciful Jesus.
Under this motto, from March 30 to April 2 of this year, Sr. Gaudia Skass from the Krakow community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will lead Lenten retreats for the Catholic University of Lublin’s Academic Ministry. The retreats, based on the Gospel and the symbolism of the image of the Merciful Jesus, will focus on the need for closeness and building a relationship with God.
In March in all chapels of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, including the one with the miracle-famous Divine Mercy image and the tomb of St. Faustina at the Shrine in Krakow-Łagiewniki, evening devotions will be held to memorate St. Joseph. The sisters, since the early history of the Congregation, have had special veneration for St. Joseph, Spouse of the Mother of God and diligent protector of Christ, whose care they entrust themselves to. The Saint provides aid not only in respect to material things, but also spiritual ones. He gave St. Faustina “to know how much he is supporting this work of mercy” which the Lord commanded – one of proclaiming the message of mercy to the world, and promised his protection. However, he also demanded her continuing devotion and asked that she recite three daily prayers and one Memorate to St. Joseph (Diary, 1203). Our daily on-line broadcasts (except Thursdays and Sundays) at 7:00 pm will allow you to join in the singing of the Litany of St. Joseph with the sisters to thank for his fatherly care and to ask for his powerful intercession in our intentions before God.
As part of this series, a retreat will take place from March 28-30 at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki, dedicated to the figure of St. Paul the Apostle. By learning about his life and delving into his letters to the Church communities, one can see how great God’s mercy is, which brought about the complete transformation of his life. Captured by Mercy, he undertook the mission of evangelizing the Gentiles, assigned to him by the Lord. The retreat will be led by Dr. Danuta Piekarz, a biblical scholar and Italianist, lecturer at the Jagiellonian University, the Higher Seminary of the Pauline Fathers, and the Dominican Philosophical-Theological College in Kraków. She is an author of books and collaborates with the Salvatorian Center for Spiritual Formation.
On March 29 and 30, Sr. Wincenta Mąka and Sr. Amata Strzępek from the Roman community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will share the spiritual heritage of St. Faustina with the faithful at the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Rende-Cosenza, Calabria. The sisters will proclaim the message of Mercy in this town during the so-called “Days of Divine Mercy.” The program includes: Holy Masses, veneration of St. Faustina’s relics, lectures, testimonies, prayer at the Hour of Mercy, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and meetings with the “Faustinum” community and other groups devoted to Divine Mercy.
For the period of Lent, we usually make resolutions, which usually involves doing the deeds that Jesus asked us to do: almsgiving, prayer and fasting, performed secretly with the pure intention of love for God and for people, not for applause or recognition. Saint Faustina also practiced them. In her religious life, however, she made one specific resolution, which she realized not only during Lent, but always, namely, she joined Merciful Jesus living in her soul, through an aspiration. When she wanted to change this decision, Jesus would not let her, because this daily practice leads to the development of a deep relationship with Him, to living our daily lives with Him.
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”. A detailed intention for March is prayer for a fruitful experience of Lent, and the grace of conversion for all sinners, especially those in danger of losing their salvation.
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.
Works of mercy. This fast is what God desires. The following event in the life of St. Faustina is among the things which can convince us of it: The doctor did not allow me to go to the chapel to attend the Passion Service, although I had a great desire for it; however, I prayed in my own room. Suddenly I heard the bell in the next room, and I went in and rendered a service to a seriously sick person. When I returned to my room, I suddenly saw the Lord Jesus, who said, My daughter, you gave Me greater pleasure by rendering Me that service than if you had prayed for a long time. I answered, But it was not to You, Jesus, but to that patient that I rendered this service. And the Lord answered me, Yes, My daughter, but whatever you do for your neighbor, you do for Me (Diary, 1029).
Jesus instructed St. Faustina, and through her, all of us, that there are three ways to provide good to our neighbors: by deed, word, and prayer. He said: In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy. (Diary, 742). Jesus asked Sister Faustina to do at least one act of mercy towards her neighbors during a day, and do it out of love for Him. This is the only wealth on earth that has eternal value. It makes us beautiful in our humanity and our Christian vocation, but also rich before God.
Under this motto, from March 24 to 28 of this year, a retreat will be held in Rybnik for children from Primary School No. 5 named after Nicolaus Copernicus and Primary School No. 4 named after John Paul II. It will be led by Sr. Tobiana and Sr. Agnes from the Kraków community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, using methods that actively engage participants in this encounter with the Merciful Jesus.
As part of the Samaritan Woman project, a women’s retreat will take place from March 21-23, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Parish in Makinsk under the theme: “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” The program includes meditations on Gospel events: the healing of the woman suffering from hemorrhage and the raising of Jairus’ daughter, conferences, and workshops. The retreat, led by Sr. Anastasis Omelchenko from the Petropavlovsk community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, Sr. Kazimiera Wanat, Sr. Madlen Hofmann, and Fr. Hans Reiner, conveys the message that “you are a daughter of God. Beloved. Until you discover this within yourself, everything may have power over you. You can give everything away and still bleed, trapped in self-rejection. But one touch of Jesus – with faith – can change everything, lift you up, and give you strength to live.”
This is the theme of a new retreat cycle organized by the “Faustinum” association at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki. The first retreat in this cycle will take place from March 21st to 23rd and will focus on the Samaritan woman, who, after her encounter with Jesus at the well, left as a transformed woman, changed by mercy. The key to this transformation was her honesty. “Tell Me everything,” Jesus says in His dialogue with a suffering soul, “be honest with Me, reveal all the wounds of your heart, and I will heal them” (Diary 1487). The retreat will be led by Fr. Marcin Ciunel MS, a biblical scholar, spiritual director at the Higher Seminary of the Missionaries of La Salette in Kraków, and Sr. M. Eliana Chmielewska ISMM from the “Faustinum” community in Kraków.
More information at: www.faustinum.pl
Meditating on the Passion of Jesus. During Lent, we consider the suffering of Jesus, which He took upon Himself out of love for us and for our salvation, more often than in other times of the year. We participate in the devotion of the cross and Bitter Lamentations, and we read the Scriptures that announce and describe the paschal events. Jesus instructed Faustina, and through her all of us, to consider His Passion in such a way as if it took place only for her sake (cf. (Diary, 1761). He explained: There is more merit to one hour of meditation on My sorrowful Passion than there is to a whole year of flagellation that draws blood; the contemplation of My painful wounds is of great profit to you, and it brings Me great joy 369). My daughter, meditate frequently on the sufferings which I have undergone for your sake, and then nothing of what you suffer for Me will seem great to you. You please Me most when you meditate on My Sorrowful Passion. Join your little sufferings to My Sorrowful Passion, so that they may have infinite value before My Majesty (Diary, 1512). Following these indications of Jesus, Sister Faustina penetrated deeply into the mystery of the merciful love of God for every man and thanked Jesus for the Book from which she learned to love God and people. That book is Your Passion which You underwent for love of me. It is from this book that I have learned how to love God and souls. In this book there are found for us inexhaustible treasures. O Jesus, how few souls understand You in Your martyrdom of love! Oh, how great is the fire of purest love which burns in Your Most Sacred Heart! Happy the soul that has come to understand the love of the Heart of Jesus! (Diary, 304).
On March 22, at 5 p.m. at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki, Holy Mass will be celebrated at the grace-famous image of Merciful Jesus and the tomb of St. Faustina for all the donors and contributors supporting the www.faustyna.pl website, including its 8 language versions, on top of all the apostolic works the website manages, particularly the Chaplet for the Dying and the online video streaming from the Krakow-Łagiewniki Shrine. Thanks to the apostolic work, commitment, and financial support of many people, through these efforts we bring the gift of the message of Mercy to the world and provide concrete help to those in greatest need. We repay this support with prayer, which we offer daily to Divine Mercy through the intercession of St. Faustina, for the intentions of all Benefactors and Donors.
On March 22, 2025, the traditional “Evening with Merciful Jesus” will take place at the National Shrine of St. John Paul II in Washington, USA. It 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 the worship of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and intercessory prayer, the Sacrament of Confession, and a conference. Sister Caterina Esselen will speak about Jesus’ words: “Believe in My wounds,” recorded in St. Faustina’s “Diary,” no. 379. “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.
The conference by Sister Faustyna Szaboová ISMM from the previous meeting: “The Struggles of St. Faustina on the Path to Holiness.”
From March 19 to 21 of this year, Sr. Donata Farbaniec and Sr. Faustia Szaboóva from the Washington community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will lead a retreat at All Saints Parish in the city of Butler, Pennsylvania. The theme of the retreat will be the unfathomable mercy of God, most fully revealed through Jesus Christ and recorded in the Holy Scriptures, and recalled in the message given to St. Faustina and written in her “Diary.”
From March 10th, before the feast of St. Joseph, all the convents of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will be celebrating the traditional novena to St. Joseph.
The Saint is among the patrons of the Congregation and has enjoyed great reverence since its beginning. His images decorate all the convent chapels. Usually, St. Joseph has a separate altar devoted to him on the right side of the presbytery, as it is the case at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki. His statues can be found in convent corridors, monastic cells, places of apostolic service, as well as in gardens and nunnery courtyards. He is the host of every property, house, convent, and thus has everything under his care, not only material matters, with which he is most often associated, but also, and perhaps above all, he cares for the spiritual matters of the communities of our Congregation and the works they carry out. The nuns refer to St. Joseph as the Protector and Father, and so address him in their prayers, certain that “it has never been heard that anyone calling on his care and begging for help has been left without consolation”. In matters of urgency, the Sisters send him “telegrams”, listing very specific problems that need to be dealt with.
From March 12 to 16, Sr. Diana and Sr. Maria Faustyna from the Kraków community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will share the message of Divine Mercy, recorded in the “Diary” of St. Faustina, at the parishes of the Finding of the Holy Cross and Christ the Redeemer of Man in Olsztyn. During these days, a new “Faustinum” community will also be established at the Higher Seminary in Olsztyn.
From March 14 to 16, a retreat will be held in San Romano, Tuscany, for volunteers and members of the Faustinum association from Italy, as well as for those who wish to deepen their understanding of the mystery of Divine Mercy, learn more about St. Faustina, and benefit from her school of spirituality. The retreat will take place at the Franciscan Shrine of Our Lady of Grace, where the relics of St. Faustina were received last year. It will be led by Sr. Wincenta Mąka from the Roman community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. The program will primarily include time for prayer, common Eucharist, adoration, conferences, and the opportunity for personal conversation with the priest responsible for Faustinum and with the sister.
On March 15-16, 2025 (Saturday and Sunday), at the “Ostra Brama” Center at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy in Skarżysko-Kamienna, Sr. Maria Vianneya Dąbrowska from the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy, along with Agnieszka and Krzysztof Stanisławscy, will lead a marriage retreat under the theme: “I pledge you my love…” – How to rediscover the “lost” happiness in a marital relationship.
The program includes: Holy Mass, conferences, prayer at the Hour of Mercy and the Chaplet, as well as an evening of worship with a healing prayer, led by Agnieszka and Krzysztof Stanisławscy with the music ministry “Powołani” on Saturday evening, March 15, at St. Brother Albert Church.
Lent invites us to reflect on our lives and their purpose. Let us help in this the extremely eloquent vision of Sister Faustina. One day, I saw two roads. One was broad, covered with sand and flowers, full of joy, music and all sorts of pleasures.
People walked along it, dancing and enjoying themselves. They reached the end without realizing it. And at the end of the road there was a horrible precipice; that is, the abyss of hell. The souls fell blindly into it; as they walked, so they fell. And their number was so great that it was impossible to count them. And I saw the other road, or rather, a path, for it was narrow and strewn with thorns and rocks; and the people who walked along it had tears in their eyes, and all kinds of suffering befell them. Some fell down upon the rocks, but stood up immediately and went on. At the end of the road there was a magnificent garden filled with all sorts of happiness, and all these souls entered there. At the very first instant they forgot all their sufferings” (Diary, 153).
What is the purpose of my life? Which road am I taking?
From March 10 to 12, Sr. Tobiana and Sr. Agnes from the Kraków community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will lead a retreat for children and youth at the Piarist School Complex, including the Public Primary School and the 4th Public General Secondary School of the Piarist Order in Bolesławiec. The theme of the retreat will be Divine and human mercy in the Holy Scriptures, the Diary of St. Faustina, and our daily lives.
From March 9 to 11, Sr. Diana and Sr. Maria Faustyna from the Kraków community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will lead a retreat at the Parish of St. Lawrence and St. Nicholas in Radoszki (Diocese of Toruń) under the theme: “Mercy – the Source of Hope.” On Sunday, March 9, with the participation of the sisters, a new formation community of the Association of Apostles of Divine Mercy “Faustinum” will also be established there.
On the same Sunday (March 9), a new “Faustinum” community will also be established in Józefosław at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, where Sr. Maria Vianeya ISMM will deliver a speech.
On March 10-11, Sr. Terezjana from the Krakow community and Sr. Eliasza from the Częstochowa community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will lead a retreat at Our Lady of Ostra Brama Parish in Krakow for children from primary schools No. 45, 114, and 128. The sisters will present the figure of St. Faustina and share the message of Mercy using engaging methods.
Under this motto, from March 7th to 9th this year, a retreat with a workshop element will take place at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki for women discerning a vocation to consecrated life (ages 18-35). The meetings will be led by Fr. Wojciech Kaczmarek CM, Sr. M. Ewangelista Sobkowicz ISMM, and Magdalena Poprawa. During silence, prayer, workshops on the retreat’s theme, and opportunities for conversation with a priest, a sister, or a psychologist, participants will have the chance to look anew at their journey with God, discover His plan for them, and recognize their deepest desires.
On March 8th this year, the XVIII traditional pilgrimage of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy to the Shrine of St. Joseph in Kalisz will take place, with delegations from many convents attending. The solemn Eucharist at 12:00 PM will be presided over by the bishop of the Kalisz diocese, Bishop Damian Bryl. The Holy Mass will be preceded by a special conference given by Fr. Piotr Górski. After lunch, there will be a performance by the “Lilia” Dance Theater and a meeting at the convent.
On March 5, Ash Wednesday, we will enter the time of Lent. On that day, during Holy Mass, the priests sprinkle the faithful with ash as a sign of penitence. The ash comes from the “palms” which had been blessed on Palm Sunday and now burnt). While sprinkling ash on the heads of the faithful, the priests say to them: „Repent and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return”. These words reminds us about the fragility of human life, the need to believe in the Gospel and to repent in order to reach eternal life. On Ash Wednesday, those above 14 years old should abstain from meat and fast, which implies eating no more than three times a day, including one full meal. Solemn fasting should be observed by those under the age of 60. Holy Mass at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki’s chapel with the Divine Mercy Image and the tomb of St. Faustina will be celebrated at 6:30 am, 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm, and in the basilica they will be celebrated as on every Sunday. The beginning of Lent is intended to help in self-reflection, repentance, developing one’s mercy imagination and good preparation for Easter.
The first Friday of Lent, this year on March 7, has been celebrated in Poland for many years as a day of prayer and penance for the sin of sexual abuse of minors. Thus, we entrust all people wounded by sexual violence in their childhood or youth, and especially when the perpetrators were priests, to Divine Mercy on this day. We also ask for the grace of conversion for the perpetrators of these terrible crimes, and those who did see the evil, not did nothing to stand in defense of the victims, so that by recognition of their guilt and acceptance of just punishment and penance for their actions, they become sincerely reconciled with God and the community of the Church. At the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki we specifically recommend these intentions during prayer at the Hour of Mercy and in the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
You can download a file “Jesus’ message of Mercy” at www.saint-faustyna.org for the non-commercial spread of the message of Mercy, which St. Faustina provided us with in her Diary. It contains the most important words of Jesus recorded by the Apostle of Divine Mercy. The pdf file has been translated into 16 languages. In 2024, it was shared 1249 times. The Spanish version was downloaded by the most 510 people, English by 162, French by 178, Polish by 107…
From February 28 to March 2, a men’s retreat will take place at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki under the theme: “Created to Be Like the Father.” The motto will be the words of Jesus from St. Faustina’s Diary: “My Heart is overflowing with great mercy for souls (…). Oh, that they could understand that I am the best Father for them” (Diary, 367).
Participants will discover the ideal of the modern man in God. The retreat will be led by Fr. Tomasz Jarzynka, vicar of St. Hyacinth Odrowąż Parish in Kętrzyn, and Sr. Maria Faustyna Ciborowska ISMM, a doctor of biblical studies involved in proclaiming the message of Mercy.
