At its 114th Plenary Assembly, the Bishops’ Conference of Slovakia approved the request of the Polish Bishops’ Conference and expressed its support for the proposal to confer upon St. Faustina Kowalska the title of Doctor of the Church. The initiative was submitted to the Slovak bishops by the President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda. In his request, he stated that the mystical revelations of the Merciful Christ and the message entrusted to St. Faustina have had a profound impact on the understanding of Divine Mercy in today’s world. The Slovak bishops identified themselves with this initiative and expressed their conviction that the message of Divine Mercy is also greatly needed today. By supporting this proposal, they wish to contribute to spreading the conviction that forgiveness and mercy are values capable of transforming the world and bringing about spiritual renewal.
From July 13 to 16 this year, at the Parish of the Most Holy Body of the Lord Jesus in Nižný Hrušov, Fr. Jozef Kozák, Sr. Jana Maria Krnáčova of the Congregation of the Mother of God of Mercy, together with parish animators, are organizing a summer holiday program for children aged 7–14 under the theme “Postmen.” The program includes a variety of activities, lots of fun, dancing, singing, and, above all, remembering God, who is the giver of true joy and happiness.
On July 12, the 25th cycling pilgrimage set out from the Shrine of Divine Mercy of the Archdiocese of Warsaw in Ożarów Mazowiecki to the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki. Over the course of five days, the pilgrims will cover a distance of 358 km, visiting numerous shrines along the way. They are expected to arrive at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki on July 16, where they will pray before the miraculous image of the Merciful Jesus and at the tomb of Saint Sister Faustina. The pilgrimage will conclude with the celebration of the Eucharist in the Łagiewniki Basilica.
July 16 is the 160th 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.
From July 17–21, two stages of retreats based on the spirituality of the School of St. Sister Faustina will take place simultaneously at the Divine Mercy Shrine in Kraków-Łagiewniki. The first stage, entitled “Gifted with Mercy,” will focus on revealing God’s merciful love for every person throughout the entire history of salvation. It will be led by Fr. Sławomir Czajka, a biblical scholar and director of the St. Casimir Theological Institute in Radom, together with Sr. Emanuela Gemza of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, president of the “Faustinum” Association and author of books and formation booklets.
The second stage, entitled “Invited to Trust,” is intended for those who have completed at least the first stage of the formation retreats. Participants will discover the beauty of trusting God and learn how to live this trust in everyday life. The retreat serves as preparation for the act of total entrustment of one’s life to the Merciful Jesus. It will be led by Fr. Sławomir Czajka, a biblical scholar and director of the St. Casimir Theological Institute in Radom, together with Sr. Eliana Chmielewska of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, who serves on the board of the “Faustinum” Association and is the spiritual director of the Kraków “Faustinum” community.
On the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the canonization of St. Stanislaus Kostka, the Diocese of Płock organized a pilgrimage along the route from Vienna to Rome, which the young Kostka traveled while striving to be admitted to the Society of Jesus. From July 4 to September 15, the pilgrims will cover a distance of 1,687 km, praying for the following intention: “That young people whom God calls to serve in the Church may have the courage to respond positively to this invitation, and for their parents, that they may be able to accept the desire or decision of their children.” The relay pilgrimage is divided into ten weekly stages and leads from Vienna through Austria, Germany, and Italy to Rome. Sisters of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will also participate in stages 4, 5, and 10.
On July 10, the 14th 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 18. 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.
On July 10, the 24th “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.
In the summer months, during the holidays, the numbers of visitors who join the works of “Chaplet for the Dying” and “Perpetual Chaplet of Divine Mercy” at www.saint-faustina.org are not decreasing. On the contrary, they are growing! Thanks to these works, the call for “mercy on us and the whole world” is being made constantly, day and night, every day. Participants in this prayer are located in dozens of countries, including Canada, the US, Kazakhstan, Argentina, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Colombia, Panama, Ukraine, Switzerland, Australia and England. Those who would like to join in this prayer can feel free to fill out the proper form.
During the summer, the sisters of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy go on holidays too. Usually, they spend these days visiting their families or other convents of the Congregation. The younger sisters are happy to organize their stay at the retreat house of the Congregation in Zakopane’s Krzeptówki and Rabka, because they can also stay with members of their families there. What is more, they can make hiking trips from there. We would like to wish you all to make your holiday a time of restoration of your spiritual and physical strength.
Registration is now open for a retreat in English, which will take place at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki from August 20–23 under the theme: “Mercy Revealed in the Upper Room.” The retreat, based on Sacred Scripture and the mystical experience of St. Sister Faustina, will be led by Fr. Sławomir Jędrych MS and Sr. Faustia Szaboova of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, actively involved in proclaiming the message of Divine Mercy in the Łagiewniki Sanctuary and internationally.
More information and registration are available on the organizers’ website – the Association of Apostles of Divine Mercy Faustinum – until June 15.
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.
Before the Feast of Divine Mercy, a new version of the “Faustyna.pl” application was released. The app was originally created in 2016 on the occasion of World Youth Day. It is intended primarily for pilgrims coming to the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki, as well as for all those who wish to stay connected with this holy place through online streaming or through the works carried out there by the Sisters of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy.
The new version of the application, available in 7 languages, has been expanded to include, among other things, a guide to the Sanctuary (important for individual pilgrims), an audio version of the “Diary,” the Chaplet for the Dying, “Close to Rahamim,” and the option to draw a Patron for a given year. The application is free of charge and can be downloaded for Android and iOS via the website: www.faustyna.pl or from Google Play and the App Store.
In 2025, at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Płock, thanks to the generosity and great kindness of our donors, we were able to carry out many works. From April to December 2025, design works related to the interior arrangement of our church were carried out; we purchased new organs together with speakers; an illuminated display case was made in the vestibule of the Shrine; equipment for online transmission was installed and internet access was connected in the new building; works related to systems ensuring the safety of people staying on our premises were completed (fire protection system, monitoring, access control, etc.); plantings were made in the courtyard of the Shrine, and a waste shelter was built. We equipped the conference room with tables, necessary furniture, and sound system; tables were purchased for the café; we furnished rooms with kitchenettes in the new part of the Pilgrims’ House; we made available to pilgrims restrooms equipped with dispensers for towels, soap, paper, etc.
The most important works planned for 2026 are the installation of the floor and the construction of new, comfortable pews for the Shrine. If funds allow, we also plan to install the final sound system and complete other elements of the interior décor. At the same time, we wish to further equip the café with necessary appliances: an oven, dishes, and a coffee machine, so that it may fully serve pilgrims from all over Poland and from around the world who come to our Shrine.
The completion of the above works would not have been possible without the support of donors. We believe that God Himself desires this place to radiate His Mercy and that everyone may draw here from the Source, experiencing an encounter with Him. We feel honored to be able to build such an important place, where for the first time the Merciful Jesus appeared to Saint Sister Faustina, and that we can do this together with you. We invite you to the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Płock!
The Sisters of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy and the Apostles of Divine Mercy—following in the footsteps of St. Faustina and participating in her mission of proclaiming the message of Mercy to the world through the witness of life, deeds, word, and prayer—will in 2026 remember, commemorate, and celebrate the following anniversaries:
22 February – 95th anniversary of the revelation of the image of Jesus, the Merciful, to St. Sister Faustina Kowalska in the convent of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy in Płock.
22–24 February – 30th anniversary of the First International Congress of Apostles of Divine Mercy at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki. Theme: The Apostolic Movement of Divine Mercy.
May – 45th anniversary of the first critical and complete edition of the Diary of St. Sister Faustina Kowalska.
27 May – 20th anniversary of the pilgrimage of Pope Benedict XVI to the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki.
18 June – 80th anniversary of the establishment of the house of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Zakopane.
6 July – 145th anniversary of the death of the foundress, Mother Teresa Potocka, in Wilanów. She was buried at Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw (Avenue T).
26–31 July – 10th anniversary of World Youth Day in Kraków. Its patrons were St. Sister Faustina and St. John Paul II. Before the meeting in Kraków, young people from 187 countries stayed in various dioceses; during WYD they visited the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Łagiewniki to pray before the grace-filled image of Jesus, the Merciful, and at the tomb of the Apostle of Divine Mercy.
30 July – 10th anniversary of the pilgrimage of Pope Francis to the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki. Prayer of the Holy Father before the grace-filled image of Jesus, the Merciful, and at the tomb of St. Sister Faustina, as well as his ministry in the confessional in the basilica.
1 August – 15th anniversary of the “Perpetual Chaplet” initiative on the website www.faustyna.pl. Thanks to this initiative, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is prayed continuously day and night, and internet users from many countries join daily in prayer with the Sisters of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy.
15 August – 25th anniversary of the ministry of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Postavy, Belarus.
25 August – 25th anniversary of the ministry of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Świnice Warckie.
16 November – 80th anniversary of the establishment of the house of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Wrocław.
4 December – 145th anniversary of the ministry of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Derdy near Warsaw.
2026 – 100th anniversary of the establishment of the house of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Warsaw (Grochów).
From October 3–5, an International Conference entitled “New and Pioneering Themes in the Writings of St. Faustina and Her Influence on the Life of the Church” was held at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki. Lecturers and speakers from various academic centers in Poland and the Vatican took part. The full texts of their presentations have been published by the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Kraków in a test format at the following addresses:
https://monografie.upjp2.edu.pl/wn/catalog/book/183
https://czasopisma.upjp2.edu.pl/poloniasacra/issue/view/412
A video summary of these studies will be available at a later date, which will be announced on our website.
The conference was organized by: the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Kraków, the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, the Rectorate of the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki, and the Association of the Apostles of Divine Mercy “Faustinum.” Devotees of Divine Mercy and St. Faustina participated not only from all over Poland but also from many countries around the world, including India, Hong Kong, Palestine, Jordan, the USA, Canada, Australia, France, Spain, Sweden, Wales, and Slovakia.
The Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy is collecting information on churches and chapels dedicated to St. Faustina. New submissions should be sent by filling out a form with contact information (full name of the church, mailing address, email, and phone) and a horizontal photo in .jpg format at www.saint-faustina.org in the Sister Faustina – Churches tab. Check beforehand if a particular church or chapel is not already listed on the website.
Sister Faustina is the patron saint of many schools, works of mercy, and other entities in Poland and around the world, as can already be seen at Faustyna.pl. The Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy is collecting this information. Entities under the patronage of St. Faustina should be submitted by filling out a form with contact information (full name of the entity, mailing address, email address, and telephone) and a horizontal photo in .jpg format at www.sister-faustina.org, in the Sister Faustina tab. Make sure beforehand that the entity in question is not already listed on the website.
The Lord Jesus, in the devotion to Divine Mercy, gives us a special time of grace at three o’clock in the afternoon. It is the moment of His dying on the cross, of which he said to Sister Faustina: “This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. … In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion…” (Diary, 1320). In order to take advantage of these promises of Jesus, one must pray with confidence and add deeds of mercy towards others to the trustful prayer. Jesus proposes three ways of experiencing the prayer at the Hour of Mercy: celebrating the Way of the Cross, visiting the Blessed Sacrament, and if it is impossible, connecting with Him, dying on the cross, wherever 3 pm finds us. In this prayer, we turn directly to Jesus, and in our pleading, we appeal to the merits of His painful Passion. It is a privileged time in the Divine Mercy devotion, which is why the Hour of Mercy and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy are practiced every day in all convents of the Congregation. You can join in this prayer through an on-line transmission from the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki at faustyna.pl and via the Faustyna.pl application.
Responding to the needs of individual pilgrims from all over the world who come to the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki, the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy has prepared a very functional guide to this holy place using QR codes. It contains not only information about the individual locations, but above all the message of the treasure of this place, the spiritual heritage of St. Faustina, especially given by Jesus and recorded in her Diary. From now on, each pilgrim, scanning a QR code on a smartphone, will be guided by the sisters to a particular site, learn what meetings and conversations with the Inhabitants of Heaven St. Faustina had there. With the help of a 3D map one can see the entire Shrine and move on to the next object. The guide has already been made available not only in Polish, but also in English, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, Slovak, German and Russian. For other language areas, a scanned QR code automatically selects English.
Under this title, the long-awaited new biography of St. Faustina, written by Sr. M. Elżbieta Siepak ISMM, has been published by Misericordia Publishing. The book is based exclusively on published source materials (“Diary”, “Letters of St. Faustina”, “Memories of St. Faustina”) and unpublished materials from archives, as well as documents from the beatification process.
This album edition of the biography and the spiritual legacy of the Apostle of Divine Mercy contains 385 photographs, many of which have never been published before. Extensive footnotes (over 676) provide an even deeper context of her life: in her family environment, during her years of service in wealthier families, and in the convents of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. The publication also includes indexes of people and places, making it easy to find the desired information, as well as a bibliography of the most important works. The book is beautifully published and is a unique position not only for those interested in her life, mission, and spirituality. The book is available at the Misericordia Publishing store in the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki and in the online store. Buy here
The Church under the invocation of St. Joseph at the monastery of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Walendów – where St. Faustina prayed and where Fr. Edmund Elter SJ “unfolded her wings for flight” for the first time, confirming the divine origin of her mystical experiences – is undergoing a general renovation and needs financial support.
The sisters have already managed to: replace the windows and doors, install new electrical wiring and lighting, repaint the church interior, restore the marble floor, replace the pews, and repair the bells with an automatic system. Soon, they plan to install a soundproof confessional and build a railing in front of the altar.
However, the main goal of the fundraising effort is to renovate the church façade and replace the gutters. Donations for this purpose should be sent to the following account:
Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy
Walendów
ul. Nad Utratą 30
05-830 Nadarzyn
Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A.
Branch in Pruszków
ul. Wojska Polskiego 23
Account number: PL95 1240 6380 1111 0000 5114 1145
BIC Code of Bank Pekao SA: PKOPPLPW
The sisters, grateful for any support towards this very costly investment, which exceeds the monastery’s financial capabilities, remember benefactors and donors in their daily prayers.
St. Faustina’s prophetic mission of recalling the biblical truth of God’s mercy resulted, among other things, in churches and parishes being dedicated to Jesus the Merciful or Divine Mercy. Many Shrines of Divine Mercy have also been established in Poland and around the world. Some of them can be found in the list at Faustyna.pl. It is worth mentioning that during St. Faustina’s lifetime, there was not a single parish or shrine under this name. The Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy is collecting this information. Shrines of Divine Mercy can be submitted by filling out a form with contact information (full name of the entity, mailing address, email address, and telephone) and a horizontal photo in .jpg format at www.saint-faustina.org in the Shrines tab. Make sure beforehand that the shrine in question is not already listed on the website.
Every day at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki, Sisters of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy gather at the Image of Divine Mercy and the tomb of St. Faustina to pray the Rosary for families and married couples experiencing difficulties and crises. Also at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Płock, Holy Mass is celebrated on every 22nd day of a month at 5pm with this intention. To join this prayer in the Łagiewniki Shrine, also in the intention of your family or loved ones, you can access the live video broadcasting at www.saint-faustina.org.
The Chaplet for the Dying project supports a daily average of 125 moribund, whose names have been reported to us by SMS or e-mail. The moribund are spiritually supported not only by people from Poland, but also from other countries worldwide, who have declared their willingness to hold vigil on a selected day and time to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the intention of the person whose name they have received by text message or e-mail. We still need more people who will take up this ministry of mercy, so that help will quickly reach those who are the weakest, but are making the most important decisions and fighting the most difficult fights of their lives. Information about the project and applications are accessible via www.saint-faustina.org. The work is carried out by the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy’s Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki at: www.faustyna.pl.
On every Thursday at 5 pm, at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki, a Divine Mercy Holy Mass is celebrated for the intercession of St. Faustina in the intention of requests and thanks to the faithful offered in the chapel with the image of Merciful Jesus and the tomb of the Apostle of Divine Mercy. You can add an intention right before the Mass and those who cannot physically be present at it can join us in prayer thanks to the online broadcast at www.faustyna.pl.
The Diary of St. Faustina, which enjoys immense popularity, is sought after in foreign languages in Poland, too. The convent of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy at the Łagiewniki Shrine often receives inquiries about the possibility of purchasing its translations, as well as reproductions of the Divine Mercy image with inscriptions in other languages. In response to the needs of pilgrims and online inquirers, the Misericordia publishing company ensures that foreign language versions of the Diary and images of Merciful Jesus with inscriptions in other languages than Polish are available in the Łagiewniki bookstore. These can also be ordered in various formats, on different materials, and in different languages by writing to: zamówienia@misericordia.faustyna.net.
The Misericordia publishing company serves the mission of proclaiming the message of Mercy, so in the company bookstore at the Łagiewniki Shrine (next to the basilica), you can also purchase other books related to the life, mission, and spirituality of St. Faustina, as well as devotional items and souvenirs. The online store operates at www.misericordia.faustyna.pl
Spring is a time of awakening of nature, but also of our hearts and desires. This time can be experienced in Kiekrz on rest and walks or on individual retreats with the Bible and the Diary of St. Faustina. The retreats are held according to the program proposed by the spiritual director (a Sister from the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy) in complete silence, excluding cell phones and other electronic devices. The chapel shrine, accommodation, meals (according to your needs) beautiful surroundings with a small Kierskie lake (place of the revelation of Lord Jesus to St. Faustina). These retreats can be used by all who wish to do so. Please send your applications to email: domkiekrz@faustyna.pl.
Sanktuarium (The Shrine) is the title of the latest film about the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow, a place chosen by God, where, as St. Faustina died, a great treasure was laid – the message of Divine Mercy. It is a place of many a revelation, miracle and pilgrimage from all over the world. The documentary tells about this special site on the religious map of the world, which TV, radio and online broadcasts have allowed millions of pilgrims weekly to come to visit. The narrative of the film includes the theme of the national TV broadcasting that is the mission of TVP, that has accompanied the Shrine for 30 years, including the three years of daily broadcasting. The documentary, directed by Grzegorz Styła, contains fascinating testimonies of people from all over the world. It is available on TVP VOD.
A video titled Divine Mercy in daily life has been made recently for the Maria Vision TV, featuring Sr. Gaudia Skass from the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy, who speaks about the Łagiewniki Shrine as a sacred site, where St. Faustina lived and where she passed to the house of the Heavenly Father. Any place where we are, if we are experiencing our lives with Jesus, can be such a holy place. The beautifully shot film is available in English.
