On March 1st, a one-day retreat will take place in the hospital chapel of St. John XXIII in Bergamo, where the Capuchin Fathers serve. The retreat is intended for members and volunteers from Lombardy, Italy, and will be led by Sr. Wincenta Mąka from the Roman community of the Congregation of the Mother of God of Mercy under the theme: “Saint Faustina, a pilgrim of hope.”
The program includes: the Eucharist, a conference, a shared lunch and fraternal meeting, followed by prayer at the Hour of Mercy, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The retreat will serve as preparation for Lent, focusing on Saint Faustina’s trust in times of hardship and suffering.
“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 94th 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, 12 pm and 5.00 pm. At 3 pm – prayer in the Hour of Mercy and Chaplet to Divine Mercy will be recited. At 12.00 pm, Holy Mass will be presided over by Bishop Szymon Stułkowski.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, from February 19 to 21, during the 5:00 PM Mass, Sister Gaudia Skass from the Kraków community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will share stories about encounters with the Merciful Jesus that changed people’s lives.
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.
On February 22, 2025, the traditional “Evening with Merciful Jesus” will take place 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 reconciliation, and a conference. Sister Faustia Szabóova will speak about fragile human love and how to receive the love of the Heavenly Father. The evening will conclude with a fraternal agape.
“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 February 22 at 5:00 PM, a Holy Mass will be celebrated at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki, before the miraculous image of Merciful Jesus and at the tomb of St. Faustina. The Mass will be offered for all those who have engaged in the work of the “Chaplet for the Dying,” with a request that more people join this initiative, bringing mercy to those most in need. We also include in our prayers the dying who have been submitted for prayer in this work, as well as the deceased.
On February 22 this year, a solemn introduction of the relics of St. Sister Faustina will take place at the parish church of St. Joseph the Worker in Stara Wieś near Limanowa. The event will be attended by Sr. Norberta and Sr. Judyta from the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki. The celebration will be preceded by the spiritual preparation of the faithful during a triduum, which will serve as a reflection on the mission of the Apostle of Divine Mercy and an indication of how the faithful can participate in it through the testimony of life, deeds, words, and prayer.
On February 20nd, a meeting of the Apostles of Divine Mercy “Faustinum” community will take place at the Church of Santo Spirito in Sassia in Rome. The theme of the meeting will be trust, as reflected in the “Diary” of St. Faustina. The event will be led by the sisters of the Roman community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and Fr. Paolo Maretinelli, rector of the Church of Santo Spirito in Sassia. The main theme will be: “Entrusting to God in the life of Mary.”
The program includes: Prayer at the Hour of Mercy and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, which will open the meeting, Holy Mass, conferences, Eucharistic adoration, the Rosary prayer, and fraternal fellowship.
The meeting will also be available online via Google Meet.
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).
From February 13 to 16, the annual retreat for devotees of Divine Mercy will take place at the Augustineum retreat house in Bardejovské Kúpele, northern Slovakia. The retreat, under the theme: “God does not give red cards… start anew,” will be led by Fr. Miroslav Liška and Sr. M. Clareta Fečová ISMM from the Hrušov community of the Congregation of the Mother of Divine Mercy.
On February 14-16 this year, a retreat for women will take place at the Shrine of the Queen of Peace in Oziornoje as part of the Samaritan Woman project. The theme of the retreat is: “My beloved is mine, and I am his”. Participants will be accompanied by the figure of Mary Magdalene, a woman with a great heart filled with God’s love.
The program includes conferences, meditation on the Word of God, and bibliodrama. The retreat will be led by Sr. Anastasis Omelchenko from the Petropavlovsk community of the Congregation of the Mother of God of Mercy, Sr. Madlen Hofmann, and Fr. Hans Peter Reiner.
In this series, on February 14-16 this year, a retreat will take place at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki under the theme: “It is never too late. Lectio Divina with Nicodemus.” The motto will be the words of Jesus recorded in St. Faustina’s Diary: “Speak, for I listen to you at all times, beloved child; I am always waiting for you. What do you wish to speak with Me about?” (Diary, 1489). The elderly Nicodemus convinces us that it is never too late to encounter Merciful Jesus; it is never too late to come out of darkness and experience a new birth. One thing is most certain: Jesus is never late—He waits first and to the very end, even for those who are the most delayed.
The retreat will be led by Fr. Krzysztof Wons SDS, Doctor of Spiritual Theology, Director of the Salvatorian Center for Spiritual Formation in Kraków, retreat leader, spiritual director, and promoter of Lectio Divina.
More information: www.faustinum.pl
In 2024, the “Diary” of St. Faustyna on the website: www.faustyna.pl and its 7 language versions was read by almost 67,300 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).
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.
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 11 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.
The Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, the sole custodian of the relics of St. Faustina, distributed 123 relics to 31 countries worldwide in 2024. In Europe, the Apostle of Divine Mercy, in the form of relics, reached 14 countries. Additionally, the relics were sent to India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, the USA, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Brazil, Ecuador, Australia, Egypt, and Cameroon.
St. Faustina, in the form of relics, is now present in over 130 countries worldwide on all continents, in 5,956 churches, shrines, or chapels dedicated to honoring Divine Mercy.
The latest edition of the International Astronomical Union’s bulletin has announced that two new asteroids have been named after Jesuit Fr. Józef Andrasz, the confessor of St. Faustina Kowalska, whose beatification process began on February 1 of this year, and Francesco Maria Denza, an Italian Barnabite who was an astronomer and meteorologist.
The asteroid, officially named “(722063) Andrasz,” was discovered on May 3, 2015, by Lithuanian astronomer and asteroid researcher Dr. Kazimieras Černis and Jesuit Fr. Richard B. Boyle from the Vatican Observatory. The discovery was made using the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope (VATT), located on Mount Graham in Arizona.
On February 10, another Monday’s meeting will be held at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki, dedicated to contemplating the Catechism of the Catholic Church and prayer at the miracle-famous Divine Mercy image and the tomb of St. Faustina for the recovery of faith in the Eucharistic presence of Jesus, and for priests. At 6.45 pm, Fr. Janusz Kościelniak will lead a short meditation based on the articles of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The focal point of the program will be the encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, with individual blessing. Those who cannot physically come to Łagiewniki, can connect to the on-line broadcast at www.saint-faustina.org .
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Every day tens of thousands of people leave this earth due to illness, old age, wars, disasters, violence or other reasons. Hunger alone kills 11 people every minute, and every 40 seconds someone in the world commits suicide. Jesus asks through St. Faustina that we pray for the dying with the words of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
Therefore, the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki runs the Chaplet for the Dying. In 2024, people from Poland and many other countries around the world who declared their willingness to help the dying on a selected day and time zone more than 48,600 people supported with prayers whose names were sent by text message to the following phone number: +48 505 060 205 or by e-mail.
Anyone can join in this work of mercy and rush to the aid of those most in need of support, as they make their last and most important decision, which concerns eternity, at a time when they are most vulnerable and under attack from Satan. When filling out the entry form, choose the day of the week and the time of your vigil, as well as how information about the dying will be notified by text message (only in Poland) or e-mail.
Other participants in this project are donors who support this work financially, doctors, nurses, volunteers in hospitals and hospices, and all those who send text messages with the names of the dying, by which they show that they care for their salvation.
From February 7 to 9 this year, a retreat for girls and women will take place at the Discalced Carmelite Monastery in Lorinčík near Košice, in southern Slovakia, under the theme: “I seek your face, Lord; do not hide your face from me” (Ps 27:8-9). It will be led by Fr. Andrej Valent, OCD, and Sr. M. Benediktína Fečová from the Košice community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.
On February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the World Day for Consecrated Life will be celebrated in the Church. On this occasion, we can learn more about the gift of God’s mercy that is the vocation to live according to the values of chastity, poverty and obedience. It is a day of thanksgiving for each call to religious service and for the many gifts with which institutions of consecrated life have been bestowed. The Sisters of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy, thanks to the gifts received from the founder, Mother Teresa Potocka and the spiritual co-founder, St. Faustina Kowalska, are participating in the life and salvific mission of Jesus Christ by proclaiming the merciful love of God towards every human being by the witness of their lives, deeds, words and prayers. Priests and the laity also participate in this spirituality and apostolic mission of the Congregation in various ways. In particular, members and volunteers of the Association of the Apostles of Divine Mercy, “Faustinum”, who come from more than 90 countries worldwide, are involved in this mission.
The Patron draw is a very good idea, every draw wins, Łukasz wrote after drawing his Patron of the year at www.faustyna.pl. Until 28 January 2025, nearly 352,500 individuals have participated in the annual Patron draw. Many participated again, while others took part for the first time. Some of their testimonies are available at Faustina.pl:
Today I found the draw for Patrons. At first I did not believe that it was more than coincidence, fate, statistics, just such a spiritual lottery. At first I didn’t know what number or digit to write, but I prayed the Lord’s Prayer that I would draw not what I wanted, but what God wanted. I wanted to enter a favorite digit, but something inspired me to enter a digit I don’t really like. I drew my Patroness – Mary, Queen of Martyrs with words from the Diary: “Suffering shall be the sign for you that I am with you” (Diary, 669). And for 30 years I have suffered from a neurological disorder, humanly incurable. The intention is to pray for all persecuted Christians in the world, that they may be valiant and persevere. Amazing!
There are no losers in this draw, everybody wins. You can draw your Patron throughout the year, whenever you need some assistance from Heaven.
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 January: so that divine blessings come to us and our families on each day of 2025 and so that mercy and peace are bestowed on the world.
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.
From the heart of the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki, that is, the chapel of the grace-famous Divine Mercy image and the tomb of Saint Faustina, the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy broadcasts 24 hours a day on-line on the website: www.faustyna.pl and its 8 language versions, on YouTube in the channel: Faustyna.pl. In 2024 alone, it was used by 4,500,000 unique users.
In addition, television stations (including TV Shalom), radio stations and the application: Faustyna.pl also use the broadcast. Morning Holy Mass Radio Doxa and Radio Droga from Vienna broadcast, and the prayer at the Hour of Mercy and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy are broadcast by several radio and television stations. Thanks to these radio, television and Internet broadcasts, millions of people may cry out to God every day at the same time with one voice: “Please have mercy on us and the whole world”.
On February 1, 2025, at the Metropolitan Curia in Krakow, a solemn opening session of the beatification process of the Servant of God, Fr. Józef Andrasz SJ, will take place. Fr. Andrasz was the spiritual director and confessor of St. Faustina. This date marks the 62nd anniversary of his death.
Sister Faustina first sought his guidance during a retreat before her perpetual vows in April 1933. He became her regular spiritual director during the last years of her life, which she spent in Krakow. In total, Fr. Andrasz assisted Sister Faustina for over two and a half years, and after her death, he actively continued her mission. Under his guidance, the image of the Divine Mercy, painted by Adolf Hyła and now known for miracles at the Shrine in Krakow-Łagiewniki, was created. He also initiated solemn services honoring Divine Mercy in the chapel of the Congregation in Łagiewniki (1943) and the observance of Divine Mercy Sunday (1944). His booklet “Divine Mercy… We Trust in You,” which promoted devotion to Divine Mercy in the forms conveyed by St. Faustina, was translated into many languages and distributed worldwide in vast editions. Read more…
Under this motto, as part of the “Samaritan Woman” project, retreats for women will take place at the diocesan retreat house in Szczucinsk on January 24-26, 2025. This event aims to highlight the great strength of a woman, so greatly needed in the world; that in God’s plan, she is beautiful, free, and independent. During the retreat, the leaders will showcase—through the example of the Jewish biblical heroine Judith, a woman who saved her people, and Mary, the most beautiful and powerful of women—what it means to be a free and strong woman.
The retreats will be 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 Peter Reiner.
Under this motto, on January 26 of this year, in the Parish of St. Barbara in Pionki, in the Diocese of Radom, at the invitation of Fr. Pastor Robert Kowalski, Sr. Maria Faustyna Ciborowska from the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will share the message of Divine Mercy and the spiritual heritage of St. Faustina, as recorded in her “Diary.” In the afternoon, the first meeting will take place with individuals who wish to join the emerging community of the Association of Apostles of Divine Mercy “Faustinum” in this parish.
From January 24-26 this year, a youth meeting will take place in the town of Helvoir, intended for young people aged 16-30. Sr. Gaudia and Sr. Agnes from the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki will also participate. The program includes workshops on current and inspiring topics such as the theology of the body, evangelization in the digital age, as well as contemplation and prayer; catechesis led by inspiring speakers like Sr. Gaudia Skass and Fr. Pieter Zimmermann; cozy evenings with fireworks, music, and conversations; moments of silence and enthusiasm; and on Saturday and Sunday, a jointly celebrated Eucharist.
On January 22, 2025, at the National Shrine of St. John Paul II in Washington, USA, the traditional “Evening with the Merciful Jesus” will take place. It will be led by the sisters from the Washington community of the Congregation 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 lecture by Sr. Caterina Esselen titled: “The Holy Doors of God’s Heart Are Wide Open for Us.” The evening will conclude with a fraternal agape.
“Evenings with the Merciful Jesus” are organized for young people who wish to follow in the footsteps of St. Faustina and St. John Paul II and discover a new quality of life in friendship with the Merciful Jesus.
On January 22, a meeting for young people, “Łagiewnicka 22,” will take place at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki. It will begin at 7:00 PM in the chapel with the miraculous image of Jesus the Merciful and the tomb of St. Faustina. The event will be led by the sisters of the Krakow community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. The program includes: a talk by Sr. Anna Maria Trzcińska on how to be yourself, using the example of St. Faustina, silent prayer, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with the worship of Divine Mercy, as well as fellowship over delicious treats and a Q&A session.
