Celebrate St. Faustina on her 25th anniversary!

After a mere 33 years on Earth, St. Faustina’s very simple Catholic upbringing, yet profound spiritual life, as well as her cooperation with God’s grace, made an enormous impact on her and on the life of the Church — an incredible impact we cannot even satisfactorily imagine or explain. The holy impact continuously grows — beginning in St. Faustina’s day and time, and continuing throughout the multitude of decades, until now — our Lord’s unfathomable Divine Mercy is being poured out over our planet.

Celebrate St. Faustina at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy on Monday, Oct. 6, including a special talk by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC: click here for the schedule of events.

By Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

In a blink of an eye — or so it would seem — before the ink is dry on the page, a human life passes on to Eternity. However, we know that time cannot measure the value of a precious life, nor can it calculate God’s mighty plan for it.

Certainly, our Father in Heaven has a tremendous powerful intention and purpose for every single thing in the universe and beyond. And God’s great hope for the world — His unfathomable Mercy and Love for His children’s salvation — are eternally in motion.

Enter Faustina
Saint Faustina (feast day: Oct. 5, but as it's a Sunday it's celebrated on Oct. 6 this year) enters the picture shortly after the turn of the 20th century. Chosen by Heaven to become the great Apostle of Divine Mercy, Helena Kowalska was born of Stanislaus and Marianna Kowalska on Aug. 25, 1905, in Glogowiec, Poland, at a time of great political unrest. Saint Faustina grew up in a large poor Catholic family, eventually entering the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.

From the age of 7 until her dying breath at 33 years of age, St. Faustina worked tirelessly and amid great suffering to answer Heaven’s call. Listening to the gentle, yet intense promptings of the Holy Spirit, and later on, through apparitions of Jesus, the Divine Mercy Incarnate, and Mary, the Mother of Mercy, God’s divine plan swiftly unfolded in the young mystic’s life.

Helena cooperated with Heaven’s calling and the world was enlightened about God’s Love and Mercy — an incomprehensible gift, floodgates of Divine Mercy available for even the most hardened sinner.

God lovingly lifts the lowly faithful. The simple freckle-faced Polish farm girl turned nun, turned mystic, and turned Secretary of Divine Mercy was raised up to the honors of the altar in recognition of her sanctity, canonized a saint in the Catholic Church by Pope St. John Paul II on April 30, 2000.

Impact on the Church
Twenty-five years later. Let’s consider this.

After a mere 33 years on Earth, St. Faustina’s very simple Catholic upbringing, yet profound spiritual life, as well as her cooperation with God’s grace, made an enormous impact on her and on the life of the Church — an incredible impact we cannot even satisfactorily imagine or explain. The holy impact continuously grows — beginning in St. Faustina’s day and time, and continuing throughout the multitude of decades, until now — our Lord’s unfathomable Divine Mercy is being poured out over our planet.

Jesus said, “Secretary of My most profound mystery, know that … your task is to write down everything that I make known to you about My mercy, for the benefit of those who by reading these things will be comforted in their souls and will have the courage to approach Me” (Diary, 1693). The young nun wholeheartedly obeyed her dear Lord and Spouse. Because St. Faustina chose to obey, we are tremendously aided by the exquisite treasure trove of enriching spiritual teachings recorded in her Diary, and are reminded of God’s amazing Love for us and the Divine Mercy He offers our souls.

Time to celebrate!
Twenty-five years after St. Faustina’s canonization, our world has been blessed and comforted by dear St. Faustina and the geously sharing it with others. Celebrate St. Faustina’s 25th anniversary on Oct. 5!

Over the years, during my research on our modern-day saint of Divine Mercy, I have fallen deeply in love with Faustina as a dear sister and friend. Let’s get to know and love St. Faustina — not only as a canonized saint, but as our sister. She assists us on our pilgrimage through life. After all, she was instructed by Jesus Himself, as well as His Holy Mother!

Call upon St. Faustina. Ask for her help in this Jubilee Year of Hope. Celebrate St. Faustina’s feast day with gusto in your parishes and homes! Visit the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Seize the moment! Step up and share God’s Divine Mercy with the world! Saint Faustina will help you!

Saint Faustina, pray for us!
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