St. Faustina’s influence continues 25 years after canonization

St. Faustina Kowalska, a quiet Polish nun, was canonized by St. John Paul II on April 30, 2000, marking a significant transformation in the Catholic Church's spiritual landscape. Often referred to as the "secretary of Divine Mercy," St. Faustina had a vision that foresaw her own canonization, a testament to her spiritual insight.

Ewa Czaczkowska, a historian and expert on St. Faustina, remarked on the global spread of the Divine Mercy devotion following the nun's canonization. "The development of the Divine Mercy devotion after Faustina’s canonization is a religious phenomenon," she noted, highlighting its expansion into a global movement.

St. Faustina's mystical experiences began in 1931 when she had a vision of Jesus in Plock, where he asked her to create an image of him with the message, "Jesus, I trust in You." This message gained significance as the world moved towards World War II, with St. John Paul calling it the "messianic message of Christ and the constitutive power of His mission."

St. Faustina's writings, compiled in her "Diary," received official affirmation from the Church after her canonization. Czaczkowska pointed out, "Only after her sanctity was confirmed could the church declare that what she wrote in her ‘Diary’ was true and in accordance with the Gospel."

John Paul II kept a relic of St. Faustina in his papal apartment, and her teachings on Divine Mercy became a central theme of his papacy. Czaczkowska emphasized, "Today, Faustina is needed more than ever," particularly in times of moral and social turmoil.

Sister Gaudia Skass, who has worked in the U.S., attested to the deep devotion to Divine Mercy in America, where it's embraced as a lifestyle. "I met many Americans who love St. Faustina, Divine Mercy, and read her ‘Diary.’ Their devotion is very deep," she said.

The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, serves as a focal point for this devotion, drawing thousands annually. The message of Divine Mercy remains a beacon of hope, offering assurance and spiritual guidance.

Katarzyna Szalajko reported this story for OSV News from Warsaw, Poland.

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