On March 16-20, the parish of Divine Mercy in Żary (Zielona Góra-Gorzów Diocese) will hold Lenten retreat for children, teens and adults, dedicated to the Mercy of God and people. Based on the Bible and the spiritual experience of St. Faustina recorded in her Diary, it will be delivered by Sr. Leonia, Sr. Rachela and Sr. Mariam from the Płock community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.
A retreat on the dignity of women will be held from March 15-17 at the parish of Saints Apostles Peter and Paul in Chkalovo under the theme Little girl, I say to you, get up! It will be delivered by Sr. Anastasis Omelchenko of the Petropavlovsk community of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy, Sr. Kazimiera Wanat and Sr. Madlen Hofmann. The retreat will include meeting with the word of God, conferences, and workshops.
On March 17, a Lenten day of recollection will be held at St. Margaret of Antioch parish in Plaveč and the Kozelec filial church (northeastern Slovakia), led by Sisters from the Košice community of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy. The program includes conferences, Way of the Cross, praying the Hour of Mercy and the Chaplet to Divine Mercy, and veneration of the relics of St. Faustina Kowalska.
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.
Concern for the conversion of sinners. This is the greatest act of mercy, which has us keep in mind the eternal wellbeing of another human being. Sister Faustina, following Jesus’ example, even made the sacrifice of her life with this intention. The mystical experiences she met heaven, purgatory and hell, because she said that no sacrifice is too great to save a man for eternity. Jesus invited her – and through it well and us – to cooperate in the work of saving sinners, even those for which humanly speaking, there is no hope. Many times He asked: I thirst. I thirst for the salvation of souls. Help Me, My daughter, to save souls. Join your sufferings to My Passion; and offer them to the heavenly Father for sinners (Diary, 1032). The loss of each soul plunges Me into mortal sadness. You always console Me when you pray for sinners. The prayer most pleasing to Me; is prayer for the conversion of sinners. Know, My daughter, that this prayer is always heard and answered (Diary, 1397).
At the invitation of Jesus, Sister Faustina responded generously: O Jesus, I want to bring souls to the fount of Your mercy to draw the reviving water of life with the vessel of trust. The soul desirous of more of God’s mercy should approach God with greater trust; and if her trust in God is unlimited, then the mercy of God toward it will be likewise limitless. O my God, Who know every beat of my heart, You know how eagerly I desire that all hearts would beat for You alone, that every soul glorify the greatness of Your mercy (Diary, 1489).
On Friday, March 15, a Lenten day of recollection will be held at the parish of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Terchova in northern Slovakia. On the initiative of local members of the Faustinum Association, the day of recollection will be led by Sr. M. Blanka Krajčíková of the Košice community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. The meeting agenda includes conferences, Way of the Cross and veneration of relics of St. Faustina Kowalska.
On Tuesday, March 12, a Lenten day retreat for children from the István Széchenyiho Catholic Primary School will be held in Füzesabony, Hungary. Conferences on God’s merciful love toward us and on St. Faustina’s experience of Lent and the entire retreat will be delivered by Sr. M. Hedvig Uličná from the community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Nižný Hrušov, Slovakia.
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.
Mary, Mother of the Son of God, Mercy Incarnate and Mother of each of us. Ultimately beautiful in her love for God and man. A role model for every girl, mother and consecrated person. That is why we direct our prayers of thankfulness and supplication. To read more about the most beautiful of Women, Our Lady of Mercy, her veneration, iconography, liturgy and prayers, visit: www.saint-faustina.org.
Regular Mass for the Faustinum Apostles of Divine Mercy Association is celebrated every of the month at the Diocesan Shrine of Divine Mercy in Košice-KVP, Slovakia. This month, it will be celebrated on March 8th at 3:20x pm directly after praying the Hour of Mercy and the Divine Mercy Chaplet together. The main celebrant will be Fr. Tomasz Svat. Regular monthly Masses for the intentions of the Faustinum in Slovakia have been celebrated since 2006.
After the Holy Mass, there will be a formation meeting for the “Faustinum” group, led by sisters from the Koszyce community of the Congregation.
Such is the theme of the retreat for women of the Kostanay deanery in Kazakhstan to be held on March 1-3 at the parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Lisakovsk. The topic of the meeting will be woman’s dignity. It will be delivered by Sr. Anastasis Omelchenko of the Petropavlovsk community of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy, Sr. Madlen Hofmann and Fr. Hans Reiner. The retreat will feature Bible meditations, lectures and workshops.
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).
From February 28 to March 1, Sister Terezjana and Sister Tobiana from the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy will lead a Lenten retreat for children from primary school No. 221. The retreat will take place at the Sanctuary of Saint Sister Faustina in Warsaw, and their topic will be: “Faith, hope and love in the light of the message of Mercy”.
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?
The annual National Conference on Divine Mercy will be held in Dublin on February 23-25 under the slogan: “Jesus, I trust in You.” This time it will be attended by Sister Mary Claire and Sister Donata from two communities of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy in the USA, who will give several speeches related to the spiritual heritage of Saint Sister Faustina. The event will be broadcast live.
Such is the motto of a retreat for apostles of Divine Mercy, which will be held on February 23-25 at the Retreat House of the Pauline Fathers at the Shrine of Our Lady of Victory in Brdów. The program includes daily Eucharist, adoration of the Holy Sacrament, and conferences giving the opportunity to learn more about the mercy of God the Father. The retreat is held in an atmosphere of silence and recollection, without access to the media and cell phones, in order to hear in silence the stirrings of God’s Spirit (cf. Diary, 145). It will be delivered by Sr. Maria Faustyna Ciborowska and Sr. Emanuela Gemza from the community of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki.
On February 24-25, Sister Caterina Esselen from the Washington community of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy will take part in the annual Conference on the Divine Mercy in Trinidad, which is organized under the slogan: “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.” Sister Caterina will share the spiritual heritage of Saint Sister Faustina recorded in her “Diary”
On February 23, a meeting held by the community of Faustinum Apostles of Divine Mercy Association will take place at the Santo Spirito in Sassia Church in Rome. The meetings are hosted by Sisters of the Roman community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and Łukasz Brus, the spiritual pastor of the Roman community of the Faustinum. The meeting agenda includes prayer at the Hour of Mercy and the Divine Mercy Chaplet to begin the meeting, conferences about discovering God’s presence in the heart and experiencing everyday life with Him, and admiration for the mystery of God’s mercy, the Way of the Cross and the Eucharist.
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: thanksgiving for the gift of the Divine Mercy image and all the graces obtained before it, asking that the world may find peace and man may find happiness in God’s merciful love.
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.
During every evening Mass in February, the Litany of St. Faustina will be sung or recited in all chapels of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. Consideration of the antiphons from this Litany is a way to better understand who the Apostle of Divine Mercy is for the Lord and for ourselves, along with her unusually rich spiritual heritage and her prophetic mission of proclaiming the message of Mercy to the world. At the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki, the evening Mass will be celebrated in the chapel of the miracle-famous image of Merciful Jesus and the tomb of St. Faustina every day at 7:00 pm (except Monday and Thursdays).
“In the evening, when I was in my cell I saw he Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment”, St. Faustina wrote in her Diary. “One hand was raised in the gesture of blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From beneath the garment, slightly drawn aside at the breast, there were emanating two large rays, one red, the other pale. In silence I kept my gaze fixed on the Lord; my soul was struck with awe, but also with great joy. After a while, Jesus said to me: ‘Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and [then] throughout the world’” (Diary, 47). The event took place in St. Faustina’s cell at the Plock convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in the Old Market on February 22, 1931. The first Divine Mercy image was painted in Vilnius in 1934 under the guidance of Sister Faustina herself in the studio of Eugeniusz Kazimirowski and exposed for public veneration for the first time at the Gate of Dawn in 1935. Since then, a number of images h-ave been created. The miracle-famous Divine Mercy image by Adolf Hyła, found in the convent chapel of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy at the Shrine of Divine Mercy is the best known one. The painting was created under the guidance of the Mercy apostle’s Krakow spiritual director, Fr. Józef Andrasz, S.J., who dedicated it on the Feast of Mercy, April 16, 1944. It was this image that fulfilled the words of Jesus spoken to St. Faustina at the first revelation: I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and [then] throughout the world. Not only pilgrims from around the world who physically arrive at this holy place can pray in front of this image, but also online visitors viewing our live broadcasts and the high quality presentation of the image at www.saint-faustina.org.
On February 22nd, the 93th anniversary of the revelation of Merciful Jesus, in the Płock Shrine of the Divine Mercy at the Old Market, Holy Mass will take place at 6.30 am, 10 am, 12 pm and 5.00 pm. At 3 pm – prayer in the Hour of Mercy and Chaplet to Divine Mercy will be recited. At 5.00 pm, Holy Mass will be presided over by Bishop Roman Marcinkowski.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, a retreat will be held on February 19-21, led by Fr. Grzegorz Zakrzewski. Eucharist with retreat teaching at 5 p.m. and adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament until 7 p.m.
The celebration of the anniversary will be participated by the inhabitants of Plock and by venerators of Divine Mercy from many towns and villages in Poland, traditionally arriving to witness these events despite the wintry weather.
During spring break from February 18-20 in the parish of St. Nicholas in Domaniži, Slovakia, there will be a retreat for girls of the second grade of primary school. The retreat on Saint Sister Faustina as an apostle of Divine Mercy will be led by Sister Blanka Krajčíková and Sister Alžbeta Mikušová from the Košice community of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy. The program includes conferences, workshops, adoration, a film about Saint Faustina, a common rosary and testimonies.
Febuary 17 this year (third Saturday of the month) at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki there will be a monthly meeting of the Krakow community of the Association of Apostles of Divine Mercy “Faustinum”. The program includes, among others: prayer at the Hour of Mercy and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Eucharist and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer of adoration, as well as a conference and agape.
The “Faustinum” Association, established in 1996 by the Metropolitan of Krakow, Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, as an apostolic work of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, brings together priests, consecrated persons and lay people from almost 90 countries around the world, who, following the example of St. Sisters Faustina want to participate in Jesus’ mission of proclaiming the Message of Mercy to the world through their testimony of life, deed, word and prayer. The main task of “Faustinum” is the formation of apostles of Divine Mercy, which the sisters conduct in several languages. More information at: www.faustinum.pl
February 17 this year in Bergamo (Italy) there will be a day of retreat for the apostles of Divine Mercy from the “Faustinum” association from all over Lombardy under the slogan: “The time of Lent is a time of conversion.” It will be led by: Father Attilio Gueli OFMCap and Father Luca Mantovani OFMCap and Sister Wincenta Mąka from the Roman community of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy. The sister will give a conference on the topic: “Trust and encounter with the merciful God in the sacrament of reconciliation in the process of conversion based on the Diary of St. Faustyna.” In addition to the conference, the program includes: Holy Mass, Eucharistic adoration, prayer at the Hour of Mercy and the Chaplet, as well as fraternal agape and sharing reflections of the day.
Seit vielen Jahren ist der erste Freitag der Fastenzeit (dieses Jahr der 16. Februar) in Polen ein Tag des Gebets und der Buße für die Sünde des sexuellen Missbrauchs von Minderjährigen. Wir vertrauen der Barmherzigkeit Gottes alle Personen an, die in ihrer Kindheit oder Jugend durch sexuelle Gewalt verletzt wurden, vor allem wenn die Täter Geistliche waren. Wir bitten auch für die Gnade der Bekehrung für die Täter dieser schrecklichen Verbrechen und diejenigen, die als Zeugen des Bösen nicht für die Verletzten eintraten – mögen Sie sich auf dem Weg der Erkennung der Wahrheit und der Annahme der gerechte Strafe für ihre Taten aufrichtig mit Gott und der Kirchengemeinschaft versöhnen. Im Sanktuarium der Barmherzigkeit Gottes in Krakau-Łagiewniki beten wir besonders in diesem Anliegen im Gebet zur Stunde der Barmherzigkeit und im Barmherzigkeitsrosenkranz.
February 15 is the name day of Sister Faustina and the liturgical memorial of her Vilnius spiritual director, Bl. Fr. Michael Sopocko. The Shrine of Divine Mercy will celebrate the Saint with morning Mass in her intention at 6:30 am, as is the custom of the Congregation. The intention is thanksgiving for the graces received by St. Faustina in her earthly life and for those the Congregation, the Church, Poland and the world were granted through her intercession and asking that she show the merciful love of God to all and support trust in Him along with the attitude of being good neighbors in us. Broadcast at www.saint-faustina.org . Anyone can submit their prayer there as well as provide the gift of prayer, which an act of true mercy toward our neighbors, or another spiritual gift.
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 2023, it was shared 1312 times. The Spanish version was downloaded by the most 522 people, Italian by 221, English by 166, French by 162, Polish by 88, German by 87…
In 2023, the “Diary” of St. Faustyna on the website: www.faustyna.pl and its 7 language versions was read by almost 384,000 people. All language versions are now available also for tablets and smart-phones.
The words of Jesus said to Sister Faustina are coming true: Secretary of My most profound mystery know that you are in My unique confidence; your task is to write down everything I let you know about My mercy, for the benefit of souls, who on reading thee texts will receive comfort in their souls and draw courage to come up to Me (Diary, 1693).
On the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes (11 February), we will be celebrating the World Day of the Sick. On this occasion, the Shrine of Divine Mercy will host major diocesan events for patients and their caregivers. In the basilica on February 10 at 12:00 during the solemn Eucharist, the sick and elderly will be able to receive the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. The live broadcast of the ceremony will be available at the Shrine Rector’s website: www.milosierdzie.pl.
