Saint Michael Center - Divine Mercy

Saint Faustina &
The Divine Mercy Image

In the 1930’s, over the course of successive years, Jesus appeared to Sr. Faustina Kowalska, who had entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland in 1925. Sr. Faustina, who died in 1938, (and was beatified on Divine Mercy Sunday, 1993) was instructed by Jesus to initiate a devotion in the form of a chaplet of Divine Mercy, teaching the following prayer to be said on the beads of the Rosary:

“First you will say one OUR FATHER AND HAIL MARY and the I BELIEVE IN GOD. Then on the OUR FATHER beads you will say the following words: ‘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.’ On the HAIL MARY beads you will say the following words: ‘For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.’ In conclusion, three times you will recite these words: ‘Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.’”

Sr. Faustina was also told by Jesus of the graces that would come from the recitation of the chaplet:

“Oh what great graces I will grant to souls who say this chaplet; the very depths of My tender mercy are stirred for the sake of those who say the chaplet. Write down these words, My daughter. Speak to the world about My mercy; let all mankind recognize My unfathomable mercy. It is a sign for end times. After it will come the day of justice. While there is still time, let them have recourse to the fount of My mercy; let them profit from the Blood and Water which gushed forth from them.”

Jesus asked Sr. Faustina to have a painting made in the Image of His Divine Mercy. He described what He wanted depicted: red and white rays flowing from His wounded hear offering Divine Mercy, the red and white symbolizing the blood and water which flowed as His heart was pierced on the Cross. Jesus told her that whoever venerated this Image, whoever took time at the hour of three to contemplate, meditate on His Passion, would receive through the merits of that Passion whatever they asked for at the moment of death.

Theologians who have been studying this devotion to the Divine Mercy now see it as a fulfillment of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, for His mercy flows from His Sacred Heart. For many years the devotion to the Image of Divine Mercy was suppressed because of the misinterpretation of the writings of Sr. Faustina. But shortly following her death, a young Polish seminarian was introduced to her life and works. He would frequently pray at her tomb in Cracow. That seminarian later became bishop of Cracow, and he led the cause for beatification of Sr. Faustina. He later was elevated to the Chair of St. Peter, and he is our Holy Father Pope John Paul II.”

The first image of The Divine Mercy was painted in 1934 in Vilnius by E. Kazimierowski, under Sr. Faustina’s guidance. Another was painted in 1957 by Adam Styka, and this is in the Sanctuary of The Divine Mercy at the Congregation of Marian Helpers in Stockbridge, Mass. Robert O. Skemp painted the latest version in 1982.

Conclusion

In all depictions of the Image, multiple rays shine forth from the Sacred Heart, from the Divine Heart of Jesus. Each on can be thought to signify a gift, a gift that we need: the gift of generosity; the gift of forgiveness, the gift of repentance, the gift of gentleness; the gift of tears; the gift of discovery that we are sons and daughters of our Father in heaven, created in His likeness and goodness.

We need to bring the image of Divine Mercy into our homes and into our hearts, and our weeping Mother beckons us to do so. Each time we contemplate the image, we must consider how we have used that hammer to nail Jesus to the Cross. We must also change our hearts and use the pliers. The sorrowing Immaculate Heart of Mary summons us to conversion. As Reconciler she bears the Good News that through penance, prayer and sacrifice we witness to total love of God through Jesus to the Father in Heaven.

In such a way are we healed. In such a way do we become healers.

-By Fr. Albert A. Fredette, M.S., March 19, 1993

St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

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