Yesterday was the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi and I shared the beautiful “Prayer For Peace.” Today is the feast day of another saint, and one who lived in more modern times than Saint Francis. In fact, she was the first to be canonized in the 21st Century in April of 2000. Her name is Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska, and she is very close to my heart. Her writings have touched my life in many ways.
Saint Faustina Kowalska is commonly known as The Divine Mercy Saint. She lived from 1905 to 1938 and belonged to the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. She died of tuberculosis and suffered greatly, and quietly throughout her lifetime. In the 1930’s she experienced visions of Jesus, who urged her to spread His message of mercy throughout the world. She continually sought mercy for others by offering up her sufferings and illness in union with the sufferings of Jesus in atonement for their sins. Through Saint Faustina, Jesus established Divine Mercy Sunday, the first Sunday following Easter. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a devotion prayed by millions of faithful around the world and is offered for the special intentions of sinners, most especially those on their deathbed.
Saint Faustina, as asked by Jesus, recorded her visions of Jesus and His messages in a personal diary. It was later published as “Diary: Divine Mercy In My Soul.” This beauful, inspiring diary is available in bookstores, and as it did mine, will touch the soul of all who read it with an open heart.
In honor of this beloved saint –
A prayer from The Divine Mercy Chaplet:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus, Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
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