Saint Faustina Kowalska, born Helena Kowalska on August 25, 1905, in Głogowiec, Poland, was a humble Polish nun whose deep spirituality and mystical experiences revealed one of the most powerful messages in modern Catholic history—the message of Divine Mercy. Growing up in a poor but devout family, Faustina felt a strong calling to religious life from a young age. Despite her parents’ initial hesitation, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1925, taking the name Sister Maria Faustina of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Throughout her short life, Saint Faustina experienced profound visions and conversations with Jesus. One of the most significant moments occurred on February 22, 1931, when Jesus appeared to her in a vision wearing a white robe with rays of red and pale light streaming from His heart. He told her to have an image painted according to what she saw, with the inscription: “Jesus, I trust in You.” This image, now known as the Divine Mercy image, has become one of the most recognized symbols of God’s compassion throughout the world.

Jesus revealed to Faustina that He wanted the first Sunday after Easter to be celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday, a feast dedicated to His infinite mercy toward all sinners. He also instructed her to spread devotion to the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a prayer for God’s mercy upon the whole world, and to record His messages in what is now known as The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul. Her diary, written with simplicity and humility, contains over 600 pages of mystical experiences, spiritual insights, and teachings about God’s mercy.

Saint Faustina’s life was not one of comfort or fame. She suffered from tuberculosis and offered her pain for the salvation of souls, dying at only 33 years old on October 5, 1938. Yet her faith never wavered. Even amid illness, she radiated peace and joy, trusting entirely in Jesus’ mercy.

Her revelations were initially met with skepticism and misunderstanding, but through the advocacy of Polish priest Father Michał Sopoćko, her confessor and spiritual director, her message eventually reached the world. Decades later, Pope Saint John Paul II—himself a fellow Pole deeply influenced by her writings—canonized her on April 30, 2000, and officially established Divine Mercy Sunday for the entire Church.

Saint Faustina’s importance to the Church lies in her role as the Apostle of Divine Mercy, a messenger reminding the world that no sin is too great for God’s forgiveness. Her message is one of hope, healing, and trust—urging all to approach God’s mercy with confidence.

Her legacy endures through the Divine Mercy devotion, which is now practiced in every corner of the world. The image of Jesus with rays of mercy, the Chaplet prayed daily by millions, and Divine Mercy Sunday celebrations continue to draw souls closer to God. Through her life and writings, Saint Faustina continues to echo the simple yet profound truth that defines her mission:
“The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy.”

Saint Faustina, pray for us!