94th Anniversary of the first Revelation of Merciful Jesus to Saint Faustina
THE IMAGE OF THE DIVINE MERCY
In 1930, Saint Faustina Kowalska was sent to a monastery in Płock, where she successively worked in the kitchen and the bakery. On February 22, 1931 – exactly 94 years ago today – a revelation occurred that left a mark not only on her life but also on the history of the entire world. In the evening, after fulfilling her duties and while in her cell, as she wrote in her Diary, Jesus came to her: “In the evening, when I was in my cell, I saw the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand [was] raised in the gesture of blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From beneath the garment, slightly drawn aside at the breast, there were emanating two large rays, one red, the other pale. In silence I kept my gaze fixed on the Lord; my soul was struck with awe, but also with great joy. After a while, Jesus said to me, Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel and [then} throughout the world. I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over [its] enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory.” (Diary 47-48 Plock, February 22, 1931)
“I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of mercy. That vessel is this image with the signature: “Jesus, I trust in You.” (Diary 327, Plock, February 22, 1931)
This revelation sparked devotion to Divine Mercy. At that time, Faustina's mission, entrusted to her by Jesus to create a painting that would be venerated worldwide, in accordance with the vision's details, was not an easy undertaking. When Sister shared everything with her confessor, he approached her confession with great caution and interpreted the Savior's command to paint an image as a call to express it through good deeds. However, Jesus made it clear that he wanted the image he referred to painted with a brush and blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, which is the Feast of Mercy. Saint Faustina noted this fact in her Diary: “When I told this to my confessor, I received this for a reply: “That refers to your soul.” He told me, “Certainly, paint God’s image in your soul.” When I came out of the confessional, I again heard words such as these: My image already is in your soul. I desire that there be a Feast of Mercy. I want this image, which you will paint with a brush, to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter; that Sunday is to be the Feast of Mercy”. (Diary 49)
When Sister Faustina was sent to Vilnius in 1933, her confessor, Fr. Michael Sopoćko, with the consent of the superior sister, asked the painter Eugeniusz Kazimirowski to create an image according to Sister Faustina's instructions. The painting was completed in June 1934 and was placed in the Bernardine convent at the Church of St. Michael in Vilnius, where Fr. Sopoćko served as the chaplain. In Vilnius Jesus explained what the rays meant: "The two rays," He said, "denote Blood and Water” (Diary 299).
One of the essential components of the image is the inscription in the signature: "Jesus, I trust in You." These words were addressed by Jesus during His initial apparition in Plock and subsequently on other occasions as well as in Vilnius. "Jesus reminded me... that these three words must be clearly in evidence: Jesus, I trust in You" [in Polish, the motto consists of three words; Jezu Ufam Tobie], wrote Sister Faustina (Diary 327).
Jesus paid special attention to one more detail in the image. He said, "My gaze from this image is like My gaze from the cross" (Diary326).
Father M. Sopocko believed that Sister Faustina's vision of Christ beautifully aligns with the vision shared by St. John (Jn 20:10-21). It showcases the resurrected Christ as He appeared to the apostles, lovingly granting them the power of the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins. Because of this deep conviction, Father M. Sopocko felt encouraged to share the message of Divine Mercy and continued to honor the Image of the Merciful Jesus, despite the opinions from the Holy Office.
"The meaning behind this image in the worship of Divine Mercy should be understood in the same way as any other image. It is not the canvas or the frame that is honored, but the figure whom the image symbolizes. An image is not a sacrament; it is a sign that refers to a defined reality. In this case, the importance lies in the inscription: "Jesus, I trust in You," as it conveys the purpose of gazing at the image. This purpose is the "awakening of trust in God through the Intermediary, Jesus Christ." (Fr. M. Sopocko).
The image holds a crucial place in the entire devotion to Divine Mercy, as it provides a visible synthesis of the fundamental elements of this devotion. It encapsulates the essence of the devotion: limitless trust in God's goodness and the call for merciful love towards one's neighbor. The spirit of trust is explicitly expressed in the signature, "Jesus, I trust in You." In essence, the veneration of the image combines sincere prayer with the practice of acts of mercy.
Promises attached to the veneration of the Image
There are three promises for which Jesus gave very clear definitions:
1. "I promise that the soul that venerates this image will not perish" (Diary 48) - in other words, Jesus gave a promise of eternal salvation
2. "I also promise victory over its enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death" (Diary 48) - this means the enemies of salvation and the making of considerable progress on the road to Christian perfection
3. "especially at the hour of death, I Myself shall defend it as My own glory" - this is the promise of the grace of a happy death.
Jesus' generosity does not stop at these three particular graces. He said, "I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of Mercy" (Diary 327). This means that He set no boundaries either to the extent or magnitude of those graces and temporal benefits that may be expected by those who venerate the image of Mercy in a spirit of unwavering trust.
As early as during her life, the Lord Jesus assured Sister Faustina that the image would draw many souls to God and that Divine Mercy acts in souls through it: “When Mother [Irene] showed me the booklet with the Chaplet, the litany, and the novena, I asked her to let me look it over. As I was glancing through it, Jesus made me aware internally: Already there are many souls who have been drawn to My love by this image. My mercy acts in souls through this work. I learned that many souls had experienced God’s grace.” (cf. Diary 1379). In 1938, in April she wrote in her Diary: “Today I saw the glory of God which flows from the image. Many souls are receiving graces, although they do not speak of it openly. Even though it has met up with all sorts of vicissitudes, God is receiving glory because of it; and the efforts of Satan and of evil men are shattered and come to naught. In spite of Satan’s anger, The Divine Mercy will triumph over the whole world and will be worshipped by all souls” (Diary 1789).
Until next time
fr. george