Prayerful Healing Of Children

Jesus said,

 "Let the children come to me,

and do not prevent them;

for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these."

—Matthew 19:14

Prayerful Healing for Children

Heavenly Father

from the moment of creation you've

predestined the salvation of your people

through the resurrection of your

divine Son, Jesus Christ,

 so all can come to believe

and have eternal life.

Through the miraculous words of Jesus,
Lazarus has risen—
eyesight is restored,
leprosy healed,
demons flee;

illness cured;
transformed drinking water into wine,

wonders for all to witness by God's design—

Merciful Father

We humbly petition thee to heal and save 

our children from illness,

especially ____________  (mention name of child and illness)

 beseeching for the grace of healing and deliverance.

Free all who suffer from infirmities

of the mind, body, and soul.

Almighty God the Father

We thank thee for hearing our pleas 

and restoring our children to health 

with divine mercy and healing grace 

through your Son, Jesus Christ. 

Amen

© Loci B. Lenar

Prayerful Healing is written for anyone in need of encouraging words, especially families with children. I was inspired to write the prayer as a result of what I believe is a miraculous healing through Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ of a heart ailment and from years of suffering painful headaches.

Through the blessings and grace of God, I was healed of a heart arrhythmia known as Atrial Fibrillation. The medical condition is treated with Lanoxin, a cardiac medicine. However, I've not used the medication for over ten years.  I was treated by Dr. Gilbert Mandel of Denville, NJ, for the disorder.  Additionally, I was healed from years of suffering painful headaches after countless visits to physicians with treatments that went to no avail. With the power of prayer and Anointing of the Sick, God's healing grace cured me. The sacrament is administered through the church.  

I requested the healing sacrament and was anointed with oil by Father Richard Tartaglia of Saint Mary's Church, Denville, NJ.

In James 5, Verse 14-15 the following is noted: "Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven." 

I give praise, glory, and thanks to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for all the spiritual gifts and blessings. 

9-Day Infant Jesus of Prague Novena In Urgent Need

Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague in Urgent Need

(To be said for nine days or nine consecutive hours)

O Jesus, Who said, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock
and it shall be opened to you," through the intercession of Mary, Your most holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be answered.  (Mention your request)

O Jesus, Who said, "All that you ask of the Father in My Name He will grant you," through the intercession of Mary, Your most holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask Your Father in Your Name that my prayer be granted.  (Mention your request.)

O Jesus, Who said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My word shall not pass," through the intercession of Mary, Your most holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted.  (Mention your request)

Amen

Prayer to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague

PRAYER REVELATED BY OUR LADY
To the Venerable Father F. Cyril OCD  

O Infant Jesus, I have recourse to You and ask You through the intercession of Your Holy Mother to help me in my need, ( mention it here) for I firmly believe that Your Divinity can help me.

I hope, in complete trust, to obtain Your holy grace. I love You with all my heart and with all the strength of my soul. I am truly sorry for all my sins, and beg You, O good Jesus, to give me strength to conquer them. I shall never offend You and I am ready to suffer rather than to cause You pain.

From now on I want to serve with complete faithfulness and for love of You, O Divine Child, I will love my neighbour as well as myself. Omnipotent Child, Lord Jesus, again I implore You, help me in this need of mine (mention it).

Grant me the grace of possessing You eternally, with Mary and Joseph and of adoring You with the holy angels in Your heavenly court.  Amen

Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy. 

Christ, hear us.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven,

have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,

have mercy on us.

God, the Holy Spirit,

have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God,

have mercy on us.

Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the eternal Father,

save us.

Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word or God,

save us.

Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament,

save us.

Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in Agony,

save us.

Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging,

save us.

Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns,

save us.

Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross,

save us. 

Blood of Christ, price of our salvation,

save us.

Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness,

save us.

Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls,

save us.

Blood of Christ, stream of mercy,

save us.

Blood of Christ, victor over demons,

save us.

Blood of Christ, courage of Martyrs,

save us.

Blood of Christ, strength of Confessors,

save us.

Blood of Christ, bringing forth Virgins,

save us.

Blood of Christ, help of those in peril,

save us. 

Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened,

save us.

Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow,

save us.

Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent,

save us.

Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying,

save us. 

Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts,

save us.

Blood of Christ, pledge of eternal life,

save us.

Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory,

save us.

Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor,

save us.

Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world,

spare us, O Lord. 

Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world,

graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us, O Lord.

V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood.

R. And made us, for our God, a kingdom.

Almighty and eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world and willed to be appeased by his blood. Grant, we beg of Thee, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

This Litany in honor of Jesus in His Most Precious Blood was drawn up by the Sacred Congregation of Rites and promulgated by Pope John XXIII on February 24, 1960. The devotion to Jesus in His most Precious Blood was first popularized by Saint Gaspar del Bufalo (1786-1837, feast Dec. 28) who founded the Missioners of the Most Precious Blood. A partial Indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite this litany.

Prayer To Saint Anne

(To obtain some special favor)

Glorious St. Anne, filled with compassion for those who invoke you and with love for those who suffer, heavily laden with the weight of my troubles, I cast myself at your feet and humbly beg of you to take the present affair which I recommend to you under your special protection.

Vouchsafe to recommend it to your daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and lay it before the throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted.

(Here ask for favor you wish to obtain.)

Above all, obtain for me the grace of one day beholding my God face to face, and with You and Mary and all the saints, praising and blessing Him through all eternity. Amen.

Good St. Anne, mother of her who is our life, our sweetness and our hope, pray to her for us and obtain our request. (Three times).

St. Anne has continued to intercede on my behalf and has answered many requests and I humbly and gratefully give thanks and praise and say her name aloud so that others may invoke her name for their own special intentions and prayers. We pray for them also.

Prayers To Saint Anne

Prayer To St. Jude (For Hopeless Cases)

O most holy apostle, Saint Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes thee universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, and of things almost despaired of.

Pray for me, who am so miserable. Make use, I implore thee, of that particular privilege accorded to thee, to bring visible and speedy help where help was almost despaired of.

Come to mine assistance in this great need, that I may receive the consolation and succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly...

(here make your request)

And that I may praise God with thee and all the elect throughout eternity. 

I promise thee, O blessed Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor thee as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to thee. 

Amen.

St. Jude has continued to intercede on my behalf and has answered many requests and I humbly and gratefully give thanks and praise and say his name aloud so that others may invoke his name for their own special intentions and prayers. We pray for them also.

Prayers For Special Help

The National Shrine Of Saint Jude

Prayer To St. Joesph For A Difficult Problem

St. Joseph is waiting to here from you, especially if he is your Patron Saint. St. Joseph interceded on my behalf many times and has answered numerous prayers and requests. He can do the same for you ...

O Glorious St. Joseph, thou who hast power to render possible even things which are considered impossible, come to our aid in our present trouble and distress. Take this important and difficult affair under thy particular protection, that it may end happily. (mention your request)

O dear St. Joseph, all our confidence is in thee. Let it not be said that we would invoke thee in vain; and since thou art so powerful with Jesus and Mary, show that thy goodness equals thy power. Amen.

St. Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart, pray for us.

Prayerbook: Devotions To St. Joseph

Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Prayer of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque 

(Pray for nine days)

O my Jesus, you have said:
"Truly I say to you,
ask and you will receive,
seek and you will find,
knock and it will be opened to you."
Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...

(State your intention here.)

(Recite the following prayers...)

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...
Sacred Heart of Jesus,
I place all my trust in you. 

O my Jesus, you have said:
"Truly I say to you,
if you ask anything of the Father in my name,
he will give it to you."
Behold, in your name,
I ask the Father for the grace of...

(State your intention here.)

(Recite the following prayers...)

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...
Sacred Heart of Jesus,
I place all my trust in you. 

O my Jesus, you have said:
"Truly I say to you,
heaven and earth will pass away
but my words will not pass away."
Encouraged by your infallible words
I now ask for the grace of...

(State your intention here.)

(Recite the following prayers...)

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...
Sacred Heart of Jesus,
I place all my trust in you. 

O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted,
have pity on us miserable sinners
and grant us the grace which we ask of you,
through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary,
your tender Mother and ours.

(Recite the following prayers...)
Hail, Holy Queen...
St. Joseph,
foster father of Jesus,
pray for us. 

God's Flower Garden

Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

V. Lord, have mercy on us.

R. Christ, have mercy on us.

V. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.

R. Christ, graciously hear us.

V. God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, formed in the womb of the Virgin Mother by the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, united substantially to the Word of God.

Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty.

Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God.

Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High.

Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven.

Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity.

Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love.

Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love.

Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues.

Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise.

Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts.

Heart of Jesus, in whom art all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Heart of Jesus, in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead.

Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased.

Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received.

Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills.

Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy.

Heart of Jesus, rich to all who call upon Thee.

Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness.

Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our offenses.

Heart of Jesus, overwhelmed with reproaches.

Heart of Jesus, bruised for our iniquities.

Heart of Jesus, obedient even unto death.

Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance.

Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation.

Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection.

Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation.

Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins.

Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in Thee.

Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee.

Heart of Jesus, delight of all saints.

V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,

R. spare us, O Lord.

V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,

R. graciously hear us, O Lord.

V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,

R. have mercy on us.

V. Jesus, meek and humble of Heart,

R. Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, look upon the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son and upon the acts of praise and satisfaction which He renders unto Thee in the name of sinners; and do Thou, in Thy great goodness, grant pardon to them who seek Thy mercy, in the name of the same Thy Son, Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, world without end.

Prayer To Christ The King

Christ Jesus, I acknowledge You King of the universe.

All that has been created has been made for You.

Make full use of Your rights over me.

I renew the promises I made in Baptism,

when I renounced Satan and all his pomps and works,

and I promise to live a good Christian life

and to do all in my power

to procure the triumph of the rights of God

and Your Church.

Divine Heart of Jesus,

I offer you my efforts

in order to obtain that all hearts

may acknowledge your Sacred Royalty,

and that thus the Kingdom of Your peace

may be established throughout the universe.

Amen.

Prayer of Confidence to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Oh Lord Jesus Christ, to Your most Sacred Heart I confide this intention {name petition}.

Only look upon me, then do what Your love inspires. Let Your Sacred Heart decide. I count on You. I trust in You. I throw myself on Your mercy. Lord Jesus, You will not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Your love for me.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Your kingdom come.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked You for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one. Take it, place it in Your open Heart. When the Eternal Father looks upon it, He will see it covered with Your Precious Blood. It will be no longer my prayer, but Yours, Jesus. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You. Let me not be disappointed. Amen.

Jesus I Trust In You

Sacred Heart of Jesus and The Miracle Prayer

The Miracle Prayer   Lord Jesus, I come before you, just as I am, I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In your Name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give you my entire self, Lord Jesus, now and forever.  I invite you into my life, Jesus.  I accept you as my Lord, God and Saviour. Heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul, and spirit.   Come Lord Jesus, cover me with your Precious Blood, and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I love you Lord Jesus. I praise you Jesus. I thank you Jesus.  I shall follow you every day of my life.   Amen.   Mary, My Mother, Queen of Peace, St. Peregrine, the cancer saint, all the Angels and Saints, please help me.  Amen.   Say this prayer faithfully, no matter how you feel. When you come to the point where you sincerely mean each word with all your heart, Jesus will change your whole life in a very special way. You will see.    Prayer © 1993 Peter M. Rookey and Servite Fathers, O.S.M. 

The Miracle Prayer is written by Father Peter M. Rookey, O.S.M., the founder of International Compassion Ministry (ICM).  Father Rookey and the ministry has received invitations for healing services from nations throughout the world including England, Ireland, and Mexico, to name a few.  The ministry is located in Olympia Fields, Illinois and is part of the Servite Order's USA Province.  The Lord has gifted and blest Father Rookey and the International Compassion Ministry with a grace of healing.  The Saint Michael Center for the Blessed Virgin Mary has numerous testimonies of God's healing grace working through Father Rookey and the compassion ministry. 

Unfailing Prayer To St. Anthony

Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints.

St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and charity for his creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I ask you to obtain for me the favors that I seek 

(mention your request here). 

The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so, you are the Saint of Miracles.

O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was full of sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Infant Jesus, who loved to be held in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever by yours.  Amen.

Prayers To St. Anthony

St. Faustina Graces And Miracles Received

Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Graces and Miracles Received

Miracles attributed to the intercession of Sr. Maria Faustina lead to her canonization on April 30, 2000. Today, people from around the world rely on St. Faustina to interceed on their behalf to Our Lord.

Miracle received by Maureen Digan

Innerly she heard Sister Faustina say: "If you ask for my help, I will give it to you."

Before the age of 15, Maureen Digan enjoyed a normal healthy life. Then she was struck down with a very serious, slowly progressive but terminal disease called lymphedema. This is a disease that does not respond to medication and does not go into remission. Within the next ten years Maureen had fifty operations and had lengthy confinements in the hospital of up to a year at a time.

Friends and relations suggested she should pray and put her trust in God. But Maureen could not understand why God had allowed her to get this disease in the first place, and had lost her faith completely. Eventually her deteriorating condition would require the amputation of one leg.

One evening while Maureen was in the hospital her husband Bob watched a film on Divine Mercy and there he became convinced of the healing powers of intercession by Sr. Faustina. Bob persuaded Maureen and the doctors that she should go to the tomb of Sr. Faustina in Poland. Together with her husband, son, and Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC (a priest of the Congregation of Marians of the Immaculate Conception), they traveled to St. Faustina's tomb at the Shrine of The Divine Mercy outside Krakow, Poland. They arrived in Poland on March 23, 1981 and Maureen went to confession for the first time since she was a young girl.

At the tomb Maureen remembers saying "Okay, Faustina I came a long way, now do something." Innerly she heard Sr. Faustina say: "If you ask for my help, I will give it to you." Suddenly she thought she was losing her mind. All the pain seemed to drain out of her body and her swollen leg, which was due to be amputated shortly, went back to its normal size. When she returned to the USA she was examined by five independent doctors who came to the conclusion that she was completely healed. They had no medical explanation for the sudden healing of this incurable disease.

The accumulated evidence of this miracle was examined in consultation by five doctors appointed by the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Having passed this test it was examined by a team of theologians, and finally by a team of cardinals and bishops. The cure was accepted by all as a miracle caused by Sr. Faustina's intercession to the Divine Mercy. Sr. Faustina was beatified on April 18, 1993.

Miracle received by Fr. Ron Pytel

"I know in my heart that Faustina put in a word with Jesus, and His Heart touched mine. It's as simple as that."

On Oct. 5, 1995, the Feast Day of St. Faustina (who was then a blessed), Fr. Ron Pytel and some friends gathered for prayer at Holy Rosary Church, which is also the Baltimore archdiocesan Shrine of The Divine Mercy. After a time of prayer for the healing of his heart through Sr. Faustina's intercession, Fr. Ron venerated a relic of St. Faustina and collapsed. He felt paralyzed, but was completely at peace. A subsequent visit to his cardiologist showed that his heart had been healed.

Although he was healed through St. Faustina's intercession, Fr. Ron is quick to point out that Jesus healed him. "I know in my heart that Faustina put in a word with Jesus, and His Heart touched mine. It's as simple as that," he explained.

After almost three years of examining Fr. Ron and his medical records, doctors and theologians from the Congregation for the Cause of Saints concluded an exhaustive investigation of the healing. And on Dec. 20, 1999, Pope John Paul II ordered publication of the fact of the healing as a miracle through Sr. Faustina's intercession, leading to her canonization on Mercy Sunday, April 30, in St. Peter's Square.

St. Faustina Her Mission

Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

The Mission of St. Faustina

The mission of St. Faustina was recorded in her Diary which she kept at the specific request of the Lord Jesus and her confessors. In it, she recorded faithfully all of the Lord Jesus' wishes and also described the encounters between her soul and Him.

"Secretary of My most profound mystery," the Lord Jesus said to Sr. Faustina, "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)

Task One

Reminding the world of the truth of our faith revealed in the Holy Scripture about the merciful love of God toward every human being.

Task Two

Entreating God's mercy for the whole world and particularly for sinners, among others through the practice of new forms of devotion to the Divine Mercy presented by the Lord Jesus, such as: the veneration of the image of the Divine Mercy with the inscription: "Jesus, I Trust in You," the feast of the Divine Mercy celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter, chaplet to the Divine Mercy and prayer at the Hour of Mercy (3 pm). The Lord Jesus attached great promises to the above forms of devotion, provided one entrusted one's life to God and practiced active love of one's neighbor.

Task Three

The third task in Sr. Mary Faustina's mission consists in initiating the apostolic movement of theDivine Mercy which undertakes the task of proclaiming and entreating God's mercy for the world and strives for Christian perfection, following the precepts laid down by the Blessed Sr. Mary Faustina. The precepts in question require the faithful to display an attitude of child-like trust in God which expresses itself in fulfilling His will, as well as in the attitude of mercy toward one's neighbors. Today, this movement within the Church involves millions of people throughout the world; it comprises religious congregations, lay institutes, religious, brotherhoods, associations, various communities of apostles of the Divine Mercy, as well as individual people who take up the tasks which the Lord Jesus communicated to them through Sr. Mary Faustina.

St. Faustina Revelations

Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Revelations

The years Sr. Faustina spent at the convent were filled with extraordinary gifts, such as revelations, visions, hidden stigmata, participation in the Passion of the Lord, the gift of bilocation, the reading of human souls, the gift of prophecy, and the rare gift of mystical engagement and marriage.

The living relationship with God, the Blessed Mother, the angels, the saints, the souls in Purgatory — with the entire supernatural world — was as equally real for her as was the world she perceived with her senses. In spite of being so richly endowed with extraordinary graces, Sr. Maria Faustina knew that they do not in fact constitute sanctity. 

In her Diary she wrote:

"Neither graces, nor revelations, nor raptures, nor gifts granted to a soul make it perfect, but rather the intimate union of the soul with God. These gifts are merely ornaments of the soul, but constitute neither its essence nor its perfection. My sanctity and perfection consist in the close union of my will with the will of God."

(Diary 1107)

St. Maria Faustina Kowalska Biography

The Biography of St. Maria Faustina

(August 25, 1905 – October 5, 1938)

An excerpt from Apostle of Divine Mercy, a biography published by the Vatican.

Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, an apostle of Divine Mercy, belongs today to the group of the most popular and well-known saints of the Church.

Through her the Lord Jesus communicates to the world the great message of God's mercy and reveals the pattern of Christian perfection based on trust in God and on the attitude of mercy toward one's neighbors.

Sr. Faustina was born on August 25, 1905 in Glogowiec in Poland of a poor and religious family of peasants, the third of ten children. She was baptized with the name Helena in the parish church of Swinice Warckie. From a very tender age she stood out because of her love of prayer, work, obedience, and also her sensitivity to the poor. At the age of seven she had already felt the first stirrings of a religious vocation. 

Helen made her first Holy Communion at the age of nine, which was very profound moment in her awareness of the presence of the Divine Guest within her soul. She attended school for three years. After finishing school, she wanted to enter the convent but her parents would not give her permission. Being of age at sixteen, Helen left home and went to work as a housekeeper in Aleksandrów, Lodi, and Ostrówek in order to find the means of supporting herself and of helping her parents.

Helen joins Sister of Our Lady of Mercy

Helen never lost her desire for a religious vocation. After being called during a vision of the Suffering Christ, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy on August 1, 1925, and took the name Sr. Maria Faustina of the Most Blessed Sacrament. She lived in the Congregation for thirteen years in several religious houses. She spent time at Krakow, Plock and Vilnius, where she worked as a cook, gardener, and porter.

Externally nothing revealed her rich mystical interior life. She zealously performed her tasks and faithfully observed the rule of religious life. She was recollected and at the same time very natural, serene, and full of kindness and disinterested love for her neighbor. Although her life was apparently insignificant, monotonous and dull, she hid within herself an extraordinary union with God.

It is the mystery of the Mercy of God which she contemplated in the word of God as well as in the everyday activities of her life that forms the basis of her spirituality. The process of contemplating and getting to know the mystery of God's mercy helped develop within Sr. Maria Faustina the attitude of child-like trust in God as well as mercy toward her neighbors.

Sister Faustina was a faithful daughter of the Church which she loved like a Mother and the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ. Conscious of her role in the Church, she cooperated with God's mercy in the task of saving lost souls. At the specific request of and following the example of the Lord Jesus, she made a sacrifice of her own life for this very goal. In her spiritual life she also distinguished herself with a love of the Eucharist and a deep devotion to the Mother of Mercy.

The Secretary of God's Mercy

The Lord Jesus chose Sr. Maria Faustina as the Apostle and "Secretary" of His Mercy, so that she could tell the world about His great message, which Sr. Faustina recorded in a diary she titledDivine Mercy in My Soul. In the Old Covenant He said to her: 

"I sent prophets wielding thunderbolts to My people. Today I am sending you with My mercy to the people of the whole world. I do not want to punish aching mankind, but I desire to heal it, pressing it to My Merciful Heart." (Diary 1588)

In an extraordinary way, Sr. Maria Faustina's work sheds light on the mystery of the Divine Mercy. It delights not only the simple and uneducated people, but also scholars who look upon it as an additional source of theological research. The Diary has been translated into many languages, among others, English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Hungarian, Czech, and Slovak.

Sr. Maria Faustina, consumed by tuberculosis and by innumerable sufferings which she accepted as a voluntary sacrifice for sinners, died in Krakow at the age of just 33 on October 5, 1938, with a reputation for spiritual maturity and a mystical union with God. The reputation of the holiness of her life grew as did the cult to the Divine Mercy and the graces she obtained from God through her intercession. In the years 1965-67, the Investigative Process into her life and heroic virtues was undertaken in Krakow and in the year 1968, the Beatification Process was initiated in Rome. The latter came to an end in December 1992.

On April 18, 1993 our Holy Father, John Paul II raised St. Faustina to the glory of the altars. She was canonized on April 30, 2000. St. Maria Faustina's remains rest at the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy in Krakow-Lagiewniki.