O Jesus, who filled your handmaid St Faustina with profound veneration for your boundless Mercy, design, if it be Your holy will, to grant me, through her intercession the grace for which I fervently pray:
(Share your request…)
My sins render me unworthy of your mercy, but be mindful of St Faustina’s spirit of sacrifice and self-denial, and reward her virtue by granting the petition which, with childlike confidence, I present to You through her intercession.
Featured Saint: St Maria Faustina Kowalska (1905 – 1938)
St Faustina was born the third of ten children in Glogowiec, Poland. Her devout Catholic parents were poor peasants, her father a carpenter. Her education was basic but enough for her to read and write.
Although St Faustina wanted to join a convent at 16yrs, her parents sent her to work as a housekeeper to help support their family. At 19, she had her first of many visions from Jesus who asked her to join a convent. The next day she travelled to Warsaw but was not immediately able to join. Indeed, many refused her entry but eventually the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy accepted her, on condition that she paid for her own habit. St Faustina spent the next year working as a housemaid to gather together the clothing fee and on 30th April 1926 she entered their convent. Three years later she took her final vows as a Perpetual Sister of Our Lady of Mercy.
St Faustina continued to receive visions from Jesus and kept a diary of events as her Order had requested. During one of her visions in February 1931, Jesus asked her to make a painting of how He appeared to her. The picture, King of Divine Mercy, is now honored worldwide.
From 1936 St Faustina suffered from tuberculosis. As her health slowly deteriorated, her pain intensified as did her visions. By April 1938 her condition was very severe and her death anticipated. Instead of fearing death, Sister Maria Faustina was in ecstasy in anticipation of her eternal salvation. She spent her time reciting the prayers that Jesus gave to her for the forgiveness of her sins, the sins of others and the conversion of souls. Sister Maria Faustina died on 5th October 1938 aged 33yrs. Her body is interred in the Basilica of Divine Mercy, Krakow, Poland. She was canonised a Saint by Pope John Paul II on 30 April 2000. [For more information on St Faustina TAP HERE]
+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen +
Short Story: When Jesus had finished describing how a Good Samaritan had cared for the wounds of an injured man and paid an Innkeeper to look after him until he was well, he said, “Go and do the same.” (Luke 10:37)
Thoughts: Today, many poor and injured will be sidestepped by the majority. It’s not always deliberate. It’s often because they don’t have the courage or know how to help.
Prayer is just one of the possibilities!
Reflection: A quote from St Faustina’s diary: Jesus said, “I desire that [the Divine Mercy image] be venerated … throughout the world. I promise the soul that venerates the image, will not perish”.
A few Divine Mercy Prayers:
1. 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. 2. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. 3. Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and the whole world.
Prayer: Daily Service
Make us worthy, Lord,
to serve our brothers and sisters throughout the world,
who live and die in poverty and hunger.
Give them, through our hands,
this day their daily bread,
and by our understanding love,
give them peace and joy.
Make us, Lord,
worthy to serve our brothers and sisters,
scattered all over the world,
who live and die alone and poor.
Give them today, using our hands, their daily bread.
And, using our love, give them peace and happiness. Amen.
St Faustina: Pray for Us
Today’s Music Suggestion: Power of Your Love
+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen +
[To view and enjoy the full Readings for today TAP HERE Opens in a new Window]
(5th October 2015 ~ Luke 10:25-37)
Posted on
Prayer 5th Oct – St Faustina
Featured Saint: St Maria Faustina Kowalska (1905 – 1938)
St Faustina was born the third of ten children in Glogowiec, Poland. Her devout Catholic parents were poor peasants, her father a carpenter. Her education was basic but enough for her to read and write. Although she wanted to join a convent at 16yrs, her parents sent her to work as a housekeeper to support their family. At 19 she had her first of many visions from Jesus who asked her to join a convent. The next day she travelled to Warsaw but was not immediately able to join a Religious Order. Indeed, many refused her entry but eventually the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy accepted her, on condition that she paid for her own habit. St Faustina spent the next year working as a housemaid to gather together the clothing fee and on 30th April 1926 she entered their convent. Three years later she took her final vows as a Perpetual Sister of Our Lady of Mercy. St Faustina continued to receive visions from Jesus and kept a diary of events as her Order had requested. During one of her visions in February 1931, Jesus asked her to make a painting of how He appeared to her. The picture, King of Divine Mercy, is now honored worldwide. From 1936 she suffered from tuberculosis. As her health slowly deteriorated, her pain intensified as did her visions. By April 1938 her condition was very severe and her death anticipated. Instead of fearing death, Sister Maria Faustina was in ecstasy in anticipation of her eternal salvation. She spent her time reciting the prayers that Jesus had given to her for the forgiveness of her sins, the sins of others and the conversion of souls. (Divine Mercy Prayers) Sister Maria Faustina died on 5th October 1938 aged 33yrs. Her body is interred in the Basilica of Divine Mercy, Krakow, Poland. She was canonised a Saint by Pope John Paul II on 30 April 2000. [For more information on St Faustina TAP HERE]
+In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen+
Short Story: The Parable of the Tenants: A landowner planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers and then went on a journey. When harvest time came he sent his servants to collect the rent but the farmers beat, stoned or killed them. Then he sent his son; they also killed him. Jesus said to his disciples, when the owner of the vineyard returns what do you think he will do to those tenant farmers?
Thoughts: 3000yrs later, in today’s world, this story repeats itself regularly! It’s not fiction, it’s not a parable, its fact! So have our responses changed? Sadly in many instances, no! But do those who perpetrate the punishments expect others to treat them as having done the right thing? In our hearts, I don’t think so; we can’t be so easily misled!
Private Reflection: On 22nd February 1931 St Faustina wrote in her diary, “I desire that this image be venerated … throughout the world. I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish”.
A few Divine Mercy Prayers:
1. 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 2. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. 3. Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and the whole world.
St Faustina: Pray for Us
+In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen+
[To view and enjoy the full Readings for today CLICK HERE]
