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Diário de Santa Faustina. A Misericórdia Divina na Minha Alma
This bestselling book that birthed the Divine Mercy movement, one of the fastest growing movements in world today. This amazing narrrative will stir your heart and soul while it chronicles the experience of a simple Polish nun.
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First published January 1, 1981
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About the author
Maria Faustyna Kowalska
21 books104 followersSaint Maria Faustyna Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament, OLM, popularly spelled Faustina (born as Helena Kowalska), was a Polish Roman Catholic nun and mystic. Her claims of receiving apparitions of Jesus Christ inspired the Roman Catholic devotion to the Divine Mercy and earned her the title of "Apostle of Divine Mercy".
Throughout her life, Faustina reported having visions of Jesus and conversations with him, of which she wrote in her diary, later published as The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul. Her biography submitted to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints quoted some of these conversations with Jesus regarding the Divine Mercy devotion.
At the age of 20 years she joined a convent in Warsaw, Poland, was later transferred to Płock, and then to Vilnius where she met her confessor Father Michał Sopoćko, who supported her devotion to the Divine Mercy. Faustina and Sopoćko directed an artist to paint the first Divine Mercy image, based on Faustina's vision of Jesus. Sopoćko used the image in celebrating the first Mass on the first Sunday after Easter. Subsequently, Pope John Paul II established the Feast of Divine Mercy on that Sunday of each liturgical year.
The Roman Catholic Church canonized Faustina as a saint on 30 April 2000, considering her a virgin and mystic. She is venerated within the Church as the "Apostle of Divine Mercy".
A great biography of the Saint Faustina:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Throughout her life, Faustina reported having visions of Jesus and conversations with him, of which she wrote in her diary, later published as The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul. Her biography submitted to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints quoted some of these conversations with Jesus regarding the Divine Mercy devotion.
At the age of 20 years she joined a convent in Warsaw, Poland, was later transferred to Płock, and then to Vilnius where she met her confessor Father Michał Sopoćko, who supported her devotion to the Divine Mercy. Faustina and Sopoćko directed an artist to paint the first Divine Mercy image, based on Faustina's vision of Jesus. Sopoćko used the image in celebrating the first Mass on the first Sunday after Easter. Subsequently, Pope John Paul II established the Feast of Divine Mercy on that Sunday of each liturgical year.
The Roman Catholic Church canonized Faustina as a saint on 30 April 2000, considering her a virgin and mystic. She is venerated within the Church as the "Apostle of Divine Mercy".
A great biography of the Saint Faustina:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
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June 15, 2025
Know what? Today's Divine Mercy Sunday (or it was when I wrote this). And it all started with a stressed-out, frantic and harried nun in entre-deux-guerres Poland...
Gotta admit, this is one of my all-time GO-TO reads for times - like these, especially - when my elderly mind is darting anxiously like quicksilver lightning.
Lately I’ve turned off my on-screen “breaking news” bulletins too, and while that helps, my own self-repeated postmodern questioning doesn’t.
Enter this shy early twentieth century Sister with help...
With an unlikely temperament.
For at this same time, James Joyce was showing off snippets of his soon-to-be published Anti-Establishment Bête Noire, his Ulysses - with its amazing Streams of Consciousness - over at the little Shakespeare and Company reading room in downtown Paris.
But, you know, this reclusive Sister in nearby Poland was just then writing this MASTERPIECE of a scrupulously reverent and acutely ethical Stream of Consciousness all on her own - WITHOUT Joyce’s influence!
If you’ve ever read the luminous confessions of another Saint, from the previous generation - the Story of a Soul by St. Thérèse - you’ll know what I mean:
For that’s tantamount to plunging into St. Faustina’s tell-all supernatural memoir - cause you’re entering a life filled with that SAME candour, and that SAME luminosity.
But this book embraces rather than eschews St. Therese’s NO-NO’s wholeheartedly, as well.
And that’s where Faustina differs, and really TAKES OFF...
With supercharged scrupulousness; dense spiritual thickets so familiar to an unknown contemporary, Pessoa; and the three-dimensional other-worldly visions that very few saints - and much fewer of us - will ever experience.
Naturally Faustina continually finds herself skating on thin ice.
Or deep in a Dark Wood.
O De Profundis, Domine...
Truth is uncool in our world. Lies are comfortable. But there’s no comfort in them for this heroic woman.
How does she get back home again? Well, her sole recourse is in the Passion of the Lord - and her only remaining option is to throw herself, as Nothing, at His feet.
She is indeed that anonymous Christian who, we are told with divine candour, takes Heaven by Storm.
Or Ursula le Guin’s anonymous tormented soul in her great story The Ones who Walk Away from Omelas?
That’s really not such a bad thing, says Faustina.
Because it’s her only available option.
Or maybe it IS bad, she’ll think again in a trice, because she’s ever so Low on the heavenly totem pole.
Which is it?
And thus more abundant power and insight - and biting angst - always accrues to her soul!
She becomes in the end, somehow, Truly Blessed.
I wish I could resolve my bipolarity like that! Cause the only way I can resolve it eventually is with depressing common sense - but I’m not often saintly.
Her humility is so boundless.
This book is the Story of a rich homemade Soup of a Soul. And it is also magnificent. Most guys I know, even Catholic, could never, ever, slog through all the angst and surreal word-pictures of this saga.
But what word-pictures they are!
Each one tremulously put into place with fear and trembling, like hot bricks fresh from the kiln of the saint’s mind - to produce, by the end of the book, a Towering Cathedral of divinely-inspired Vision.
The world can’t abide books like this for too long! Nor can the Evil One...
So when John Paul II read this remarkable thick book in the original Polish, a long time ago as a young man, he SAW it was much like a loose maverick locomotive roaring through the depths of his soul - and changing him.
And Faustina’s Divine Mercy, because of him, would later become a Holy Feast Day, a Jubilee Year, and a recognized Objective of the Church.
All because of one wonderfully and unselfconsciously anxious woman, who here transforms reams upon reams of her life into a big, thick Book...
A book that, all on its own - and with a little help from Above - May one day CHANGE THE WORLD -
By showing it the awesome, and very Real, Face of Divine Mercy.
Gotta admit, this is one of my all-time GO-TO reads for times - like these, especially - when my elderly mind is darting anxiously like quicksilver lightning.
Lately I’ve turned off my on-screen “breaking news” bulletins too, and while that helps, my own self-repeated postmodern questioning doesn’t.
Enter this shy early twentieth century Sister with help...
With an unlikely temperament.
For at this same time, James Joyce was showing off snippets of his soon-to-be published Anti-Establishment Bête Noire, his Ulysses - with its amazing Streams of Consciousness - over at the little Shakespeare and Company reading room in downtown Paris.
But, you know, this reclusive Sister in nearby Poland was just then writing this MASTERPIECE of a scrupulously reverent and acutely ethical Stream of Consciousness all on her own - WITHOUT Joyce’s influence!
If you’ve ever read the luminous confessions of another Saint, from the previous generation - the Story of a Soul by St. Thérèse - you’ll know what I mean:
For that’s tantamount to plunging into St. Faustina’s tell-all supernatural memoir - cause you’re entering a life filled with that SAME candour, and that SAME luminosity.
But this book embraces rather than eschews St. Therese’s NO-NO’s wholeheartedly, as well.
And that’s where Faustina differs, and really TAKES OFF...
With supercharged scrupulousness; dense spiritual thickets so familiar to an unknown contemporary, Pessoa; and the three-dimensional other-worldly visions that very few saints - and much fewer of us - will ever experience.
Naturally Faustina continually finds herself skating on thin ice.
Or deep in a Dark Wood.
O De Profundis, Domine...
Truth is uncool in our world. Lies are comfortable. But there’s no comfort in them for this heroic woman.
How does she get back home again? Well, her sole recourse is in the Passion of the Lord - and her only remaining option is to throw herself, as Nothing, at His feet.
She is indeed that anonymous Christian who, we are told with divine candour, takes Heaven by Storm.
Or Ursula le Guin’s anonymous tormented soul in her great story The Ones who Walk Away from Omelas?
That’s really not such a bad thing, says Faustina.
Because it’s her only available option.
Or maybe it IS bad, she’ll think again in a trice, because she’s ever so Low on the heavenly totem pole.
Which is it?
And thus more abundant power and insight - and biting angst - always accrues to her soul!
She becomes in the end, somehow, Truly Blessed.
I wish I could resolve my bipolarity like that! Cause the only way I can resolve it eventually is with depressing common sense - but I’m not often saintly.
Her humility is so boundless.
This book is the Story of a rich homemade Soup of a Soul. And it is also magnificent. Most guys I know, even Catholic, could never, ever, slog through all the angst and surreal word-pictures of this saga.
But what word-pictures they are!
Each one tremulously put into place with fear and trembling, like hot bricks fresh from the kiln of the saint’s mind - to produce, by the end of the book, a Towering Cathedral of divinely-inspired Vision.
The world can’t abide books like this for too long! Nor can the Evil One...
So when John Paul II read this remarkable thick book in the original Polish, a long time ago as a young man, he SAW it was much like a loose maverick locomotive roaring through the depths of his soul - and changing him.
And Faustina’s Divine Mercy, because of him, would later become a Holy Feast Day, a Jubilee Year, and a recognized Objective of the Church.
All because of one wonderfully and unselfconsciously anxious woman, who here transforms reams upon reams of her life into a big, thick Book...
A book that, all on its own - and with a little help from Above - May one day CHANGE THE WORLD -
By showing it the awesome, and very Real, Face of Divine Mercy.
May 20, 2022
May 19, 2022: My sister got me the deluxe leather edition of this diary for my birthday! What a difference! Instead of the bulky awkward falling-apart book which I have had for the past twenty years, this is a slim leather-bound volume with Bible-thin pages. It is small enough to slip in a purse! I am so excited to read it again! This will be my third full reading. The first was back in the late 90s after first discovering, then when I got my audio version and now again. Of course, the medium doesn't make the book, but there is no denying it makes a difference. If possible, this time I want to gather all three of my resources together and immerse myself in this amazing Gift from God. (And my sister!) Thank you, Patti!
Although I have finished Divine Mercy in My Soul now for the second time, I don’t plan to ever really be ‘finished’ with this book as in setting it down with a sense of mastery. The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (Sr. Faustina) speaks to the completely unfathomable mercy of God for sinful mankind and our almost total oblivion to this inescapable fact.
To even spend a few minutes reading or listening to her words and pondering this great mystery can awaken one to the reality of our complete nothingness in relation to God and yet His absolute passion for and delight in each little soul. Her writing reminded me that humility isn’t so much a virtue as it is our proper place. Then while I would be pondering my own insignificance, in the next paragraph or on the next page, Our Lord would speak and tell her that we should be bold in our prayers, confident of His Love despite our own lack of merits. This is what made this text so rich and such a wellspring for heart-to-heart with our Creator-Savior-Sancitifier God.
I purchased the audio version of the book and have used it often these past few months for meditation/prayer purposes. Many of the CDs also include beautiful musical selections interspersed with the book’s text.
The diary is read as a dialogue between Sr. Faustina and Jesus with a few words also from the Blessed Mother. The actress who reads for the little Polish nun does in fact have an accent, which I thought not only appropriate but delightful. Some listeners might not share my opinion.
My only regret is that there is still no Kindle version of this book as I went back and forth between reading and listening depending on purpose, venue and occupation. Due to its formidable size the Diary would make a good brick, but doesn’t easily slip into purse or pocket. Although not on Kindle there are some free e-book versions available although I cannot attest to their completeness, formatting or usability.
Sr. Faustina's Diary is most highly recommended for raising awareness of our right relationship to God, how we can and do choose to have His Mercy and/or His Justice and how He never ceases reaching out to us His creatures.
==============
February 18, 2014: This book can be read in so many different ways. During my first encounter with the Diary back in 1997, I read it cover-to-cover. You might say I gulped it down. This time, I taking my time with it. Also I am listening to it, at the rate of approximately a disc every few days. As I listen, I frequently pause to underline or highlight sections, quotes of Jesus or resolutions of Sr. Faustina. Often her thoughts become mine. Jesus's words to her seem directed to me and I find myself praying her prayers. I expect that many before and after me have done and will continue to do the same.
A beautiful and deeply inspiring work! Time permitting, I want to go back and include many of my favorite quotes from this book here on GR.
=====================
Jesus says to Faustina repeatedly, I do not reward for success/good results but for patience and hardship (suffering) undergone/endured (not sought) for My sake.
Although I have finished Divine Mercy in My Soul now for the second time, I don’t plan to ever really be ‘finished’ with this book as in setting it down with a sense of mastery. The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (Sr. Faustina) speaks to the completely unfathomable mercy of God for sinful mankind and our almost total oblivion to this inescapable fact.
To even spend a few minutes reading or listening to her words and pondering this great mystery can awaken one to the reality of our complete nothingness in relation to God and yet His absolute passion for and delight in each little soul. Her writing reminded me that humility isn’t so much a virtue as it is our proper place. Then while I would be pondering my own insignificance, in the next paragraph or on the next page, Our Lord would speak and tell her that we should be bold in our prayers, confident of His Love despite our own lack of merits. This is what made this text so rich and such a wellspring for heart-to-heart with our Creator-Savior-Sancitifier God.
I purchased the audio version of the book and have used it often these past few months for meditation/prayer purposes. Many of the CDs also include beautiful musical selections interspersed with the book’s text.
The diary is read as a dialogue between Sr. Faustina and Jesus with a few words also from the Blessed Mother. The actress who reads for the little Polish nun does in fact have an accent, which I thought not only appropriate but delightful. Some listeners might not share my opinion.
My only regret is that there is still no Kindle version of this book as I went back and forth between reading and listening depending on purpose, venue and occupation. Due to its formidable size the Diary would make a good brick, but doesn’t easily slip into purse or pocket. Although not on Kindle there are some free e-book versions available although I cannot attest to their completeness, formatting or usability.
Sr. Faustina's Diary is most highly recommended for raising awareness of our right relationship to God, how we can and do choose to have His Mercy and/or His Justice and how He never ceases reaching out to us His creatures.
==============
February 18, 2014: This book can be read in so many different ways. During my first encounter with the Diary back in 1997, I read it cover-to-cover. You might say I gulped it down. This time, I taking my time with it. Also I am listening to it, at the rate of approximately a disc every few days. As I listen, I frequently pause to underline or highlight sections, quotes of Jesus or resolutions of Sr. Faustina. Often her thoughts become mine. Jesus's words to her seem directed to me and I find myself praying her prayers. I expect that many before and after me have done and will continue to do the same.
A beautiful and deeply inspiring work! Time permitting, I want to go back and include many of my favorite quotes from this book here on GR.
=====================
Jesus says to Faustina repeatedly, I do not reward for success/good results but for patience and hardship (suffering) undergone/endured (not sought) for My sake.
May 2, 2021
Overall this diary had a positive message. Saint Faustina wrote this during her spiritual journey as a nun in Poland and Lithuania before World War II. She reflects on her conversations with Jesus Christ up until the time of her death in 1938 at age 33. The main subject is the Divine Mercy which emphasizes Jesus' undying mercy towards everyone. The themes I picked up from the ready included steadfast faith, discipline in prayer and practice, and unrelenting faith in God's plan. I think this is a good supplementary reading in additon to other devotional and Bible reading.
There are countless times in the journal entries when Jesus appeared and spoke to Sister Faustina saying "Don't worry, trust in me. Your path is already laid out."
i would recommend this to anyone loking for additional devotional reading to help bolster their faith. Thanks!
There are countless times in the journal entries when Jesus appeared and spoke to Sister Faustina saying "Don't worry, trust in me. Your path is already laid out."
i would recommend this to anyone loking for additional devotional reading to help bolster their faith. Thanks!
March 10, 2021
This book is creepy. I strongly suspect that St. Faustina was mentally ill. The images and visions in this book have upset me greatly and increased my religious anxiety.
Sister Faustina seems to enjoy suffering and humiliation to a pathological degree. She gets some visions of extremely bloody Jesus, demonic dogs chasing her, a priest literally eating baby Jesus and she believes that Jesus physically gave her a crown of thorns which caused her physical pain. I couldn't continue reading this book after 24% because it was simply too dark and morbid.
Not recommended for sensitive people and those struggling with their faith.
Sister Faustina seems to enjoy suffering and humiliation to a pathological degree. She gets some visions of extremely bloody Jesus, demonic dogs chasing her, a priest literally eating baby Jesus and she believes that Jesus physically gave her a crown of thorns which caused her physical pain. I couldn't continue reading this book after 24% because it was simply too dark and morbid.
Not recommended for sensitive people and those struggling with their faith.
December 2, 2019
Let me be clear here. I am (or rather, I was) no fanatic of the Divine Mercy movement. In fact I used to have some irritations towards its devotees, because a lot of them around me seemed like an extroverted happy-go-lucky bunch, the kind of people I don’t particularly fancy. But one day at a devotional shop this book called me, as it were, and against all feelings I purchased it. A few weeks later I started reading it.
I was... overwhelmed. Wow. The Divine Mercy is simply, well, beautiful. Majestic. Humbling. Inspiring. I’m still at loss for words. This Diary is a mystical literature on par with St. Teresa of Avila’s The Interior Castle and St. Catherine of Siena’s The Dialogues. Don’t be fooled, it‘s not solely about the Divine Mercy; it is a spiritual book through and through. In it you will find treatise on a soul’s spiritual journey, her perdition if it does not accept the mercy of God til the last moment, advice regarding spiritual direction and spiritual warfare, how to suffer well, how to pray for dying souls and souls in Purgatory, and many many more.
Now I understand why I hadn’t started this book earlier. It wouldn’t have suited my condition anyways. When I finally read it, I did so with the proper dispositions so that, hopefully, the seeds fall onto a fertile soil.
I was... overwhelmed. Wow. The Divine Mercy is simply, well, beautiful. Majestic. Humbling. Inspiring. I’m still at loss for words. This Diary is a mystical literature on par with St. Teresa of Avila’s The Interior Castle and St. Catherine of Siena’s The Dialogues. Don’t be fooled, it‘s not solely about the Divine Mercy; it is a spiritual book through and through. In it you will find treatise on a soul’s spiritual journey, her perdition if it does not accept the mercy of God til the last moment, advice regarding spiritual direction and spiritual warfare, how to suffer well, how to pray for dying souls and souls in Purgatory, and many many more.
Now I understand why I hadn’t started this book earlier. It wouldn’t have suited my condition anyways. When I finally read it, I did so with the proper dispositions so that, hopefully, the seeds fall onto a fertile soil.
October 11, 2007
If you want to know what it means to be in mystical union with Christ while on earth and in recent history, 1930s, this book will teach you. I hope to build on this book by studying deeper the books on my list by Fr. Thomas Dubay and Thomas Richard to learn how to achieve that union. All of those books tell the how and why, but the real challenge is in the doing.
Briefly, the idea is to eradicate mortal sin, then venial sin,then wait for God to give you the gift of infused contemplative prayer. We can choose to do only the first two.
Catholic contemplative prayer is not meant only for the monastery and cloister. JP II and the Vatican urge all Catholics to strive for it. Contemplative prayer and living in the world are possible and not mutually exclusive. On pages 106-107 of The Fire Within, St. Theresa of Avila explains that she simultaneously was in mystical union with Christ while she conducted the daily business of administering and founding monasteries, and being a spiritual adviser to a bishop, priests and her brother. She said she was something like Mary and Martha in the same person at the same time.
Google The Chaplet of Divine Mercy for a summary of the teachings, benefits and how to say the Chaplet. The Chaplet is recited daily on EWTN at 3 pm Eastern Time.
JP II established Divine Mercy Sunday as the first Sunday after Easter. After satisfying the requirements for that devotion on that day, a plenary indulgence is granted for the person saying the prayer and for named persons in Purgatory. Christ promised St. Faustina that at the time of death he would grant the dying the choice of heaven or hell--no matter how scarlet their sins.
Briefly, the idea is to eradicate mortal sin, then venial sin,then wait for God to give you the gift of infused contemplative prayer. We can choose to do only the first two.
Catholic contemplative prayer is not meant only for the monastery and cloister. JP II and the Vatican urge all Catholics to strive for it. Contemplative prayer and living in the world are possible and not mutually exclusive. On pages 106-107 of The Fire Within, St. Theresa of Avila explains that she simultaneously was in mystical union with Christ while she conducted the daily business of administering and founding monasteries, and being a spiritual adviser to a bishop, priests and her brother. She said she was something like Mary and Martha in the same person at the same time.
Google The Chaplet of Divine Mercy for a summary of the teachings, benefits and how to say the Chaplet. The Chaplet is recited daily on EWTN at 3 pm Eastern Time.
JP II established Divine Mercy Sunday as the first Sunday after Easter. After satisfying the requirements for that devotion on that day, a plenary indulgence is granted for the person saying the prayer and for named persons in Purgatory. Christ promised St. Faustina that at the time of death he would grant the dying the choice of heaven or hell--no matter how scarlet their sins.
July 31, 2008
This book really transcends all other books. Saint Faustina brings the truth of God's mercy to life. It brought me closer to my faith and still gives me hope. "Jesus I Trust in You."
December 26, 2013
It was disturbing to me to have to give this book three stars, since I really did learn a lot from it. The Diary is a compilation of the daily writings of Sister Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who was eventually elevated to the Sainthood by Pope John Paul II, and whose Divine Mercy movement was also honored by the institution of the Divine Mercy Sunday feast day of the Catholic Church. Saint Faustina was a woman of obvious spiritual depth, and her visions of Christ and the spiritual world were excellent lessons for the spiritual growth of Catholics.
So why did I give this book only 3 stars? For several reasons - the first reason is that the book is poorly structured and hard to follow. The narrative runs roughly from St. Faustina's days as a postulant in the convent through to her death in 1938, but in some places it jumps from one decade to another, and from one subject to another. There is no flow from one subject to another. In one paragraph she is talking about her health, in the next she is talking about a vision from Jesus, in the next after that she is talking about obedience to her spiritual director, and then she is back to her health. Another issue that I have with this novel is that the visions of St. Faustina are seemingly unreal and contrived. While I believe that St. Faustina actually had these visions, the way that she discusses them in this book make them seem more like delusions than visions. Granted that it is difficult to describe divine intervention in the form of visions, this book does a particularly poor job of it. I could completely see how a non-believer would write this stuff off as a psychosis, and that is a shame. The profound teachings that St. Faustina discusses in this book are too important to be written off in this way.
Overall, I would recommend this book to believing Catholics who are willing to struggle with the lack of structure and difficult prose of this book in order to mine the diamonds from this mine full of quartz. For people who are not deeply involved in Catholic theology, and especially for non-believers, I would not recommend this book.
So why did I give this book only 3 stars? For several reasons - the first reason is that the book is poorly structured and hard to follow. The narrative runs roughly from St. Faustina's days as a postulant in the convent through to her death in 1938, but in some places it jumps from one decade to another, and from one subject to another. There is no flow from one subject to another. In one paragraph she is talking about her health, in the next she is talking about a vision from Jesus, in the next after that she is talking about obedience to her spiritual director, and then she is back to her health. Another issue that I have with this novel is that the visions of St. Faustina are seemingly unreal and contrived. While I believe that St. Faustina actually had these visions, the way that she discusses them in this book make them seem more like delusions than visions. Granted that it is difficult to describe divine intervention in the form of visions, this book does a particularly poor job of it. I could completely see how a non-believer would write this stuff off as a psychosis, and that is a shame. The profound teachings that St. Faustina discusses in this book are too important to be written off in this way.
Overall, I would recommend this book to believing Catholics who are willing to struggle with the lack of structure and difficult prose of this book in order to mine the diamonds from this mine full of quartz. For people who are not deeply involved in Catholic theology, and especially for non-believers, I would not recommend this book.
September 11, 2012
Written from the wrenching heart of a young woman who at first did not believe there was a space on this planet for her much less the beautiful one assigned to her by a loving Savior. A frank and at times terrifying and at others so warm and loving, this book is an accounting of the few short years of Sr. Faustina's life, one that eventually led to sainthood. I have also listened to this book on CD and it was beautifully done and followed the book precisely. It was actually easier to listen to the first time , at least that is how I did it with them using very authentic accents. when I read the book afterwards, the prose actually jumped to life with the voices from the CD.
There is no doubt that reading a book as daunting as this with so much imagery, catechism, Catholic Doctrine, life at the convent, evangelism and her deteriorating health may chase some away; but this is a book that you can read and pick up at your leisure. You can also use it as a page a day and let St. Faustina's book open on just the right page for you everyday. There are that many golden nuggets and prayers stuffed ever so carefully on each and every page.
I can't say more for it is such a personal experience; except if you read it because of what I have said, relax , there is no right or wrong here, no test. Just a story a small town girl who makes it big; and if you pray to her she is know to give back some of the graces she received.
Tina
There is no doubt that reading a book as daunting as this with so much imagery, catechism, Catholic Doctrine, life at the convent, evangelism and her deteriorating health may chase some away; but this is a book that you can read and pick up at your leisure. You can also use it as a page a day and let St. Faustina's book open on just the right page for you everyday. There are that many golden nuggets and prayers stuffed ever so carefully on each and every page.
I can't say more for it is such a personal experience; except if you read it because of what I have said, relax , there is no right or wrong here, no test. Just a story a small town girl who makes it big; and if you pray to her she is know to give back some of the graces she received.
Tina
May 5, 2010
This book changed my life on how I trust in Jesus and forgiveness. The beautiful thing about it is that it is a diary and you can read a bit at a time and soak it all in. It is wonderful to take to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and meditate on what St Faustina has to say and what Jesus said to her. This book is a precious gift! It gives us all something to strive for spiritually that is for sure. The funny thing is when I read this a lot of times something in my life occures that coincides with what I have read with the diary.
February 20, 2008
I am still reading this book, as it takes sometime to fully comprehend the magnificent power and love of God. I am amazed at all Saint Faustina had to go through, and I am thankful to God that we could have such a wonderful soul who lived amongst us.
December 6, 2022
St.Faustina is my homegirl so to read her personal Diary was a great dip into her pysche. It's nuts. It's nothing like you've ever read OR anything you've ever read before. But I must warn, it's super intense. She had personal conversation with Christ, like I'm talkin' one on one convo's with the Son of God like it was nothing and this is all recorded verbatim in the book.
50 burritos.
50 burritos.
July 10, 2012
I would give this 10 stars if I could. Actually, it is beyond a start rating. Approved by the Catholic Church and writen by St. Faustina, this exploration of Christ's Mercy is a must read for every Catholic, especially for any with a devotion to the Sacred Heart.
August 8, 2025
Finished it. This book has been pivotal to my prayer over the past year and it feels crazy to be finished. Marked a ton of the passages that I’m gonna spend a bit of time going back through so I’m excited for that. Saint Faustina has such a deep and intimate understanding of God’s mercy and entering into her prayer is life changing.
“I only know that I love and am loved. That is enough for me.”
“I only know that I love and am loved. That is enough for me.”
June 25, 2025
Two and a half months ago, I had no idea who Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska was, and now after reading her diary I don't know if I have ever connected with a literary work as much as this one (except the Bible).
Here is the backstory;
On Sept. 1st, 2022 I was listening to a podcast "Pints With Aquinas" and the guest Jonathon Roumie (He plays Jesus off of "The Chosen") was talking about prayer and he mentioned, just sort of off handedly, that "Rick Warren loves to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy." Now I started following the Lord when I went to Saddleback Church in Southern California - Rick Warren's church. So, I looked up the interview where Rick Warren had, in fact, said that he did indeed love praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. So I looked up the prayer and it was said on a Rosary, which made me pause because I am not a Catholic and growing up my good protestant mother always told me to never say form prayers or prayers that are repeated, but as a I read the words, I felt drawn to them. The main part is, "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. For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and the whole world."
The next two days, Sept 2nd and Sept 3rd, I went to pray the chaplet again and I had such an anxiety about the prayer but I couldn't put my finger on exactly why that was. I thought maybe it was my mothers warnings echoing in my soul, but I knew it was more than that. I prayed about the Chaplet and about prayer in general. I felt that God wanted me to repeat these words as he was preparing me for a battle and I recorded that in my journal.
That evening, the evening of Sept. 3rd, 2022 as I was reading with my son, my nephew called and told me my brother had just died from a heart attack..
He was 45 and had 3 sons and a wife. I was in schock. I didn't know what to do or what to say. After I hung up the phone my son and I went immediately out to the garage and prayed the Chaplet together. Then I noticed one of the excerpts from St. Faustina's Diary that was on the print out of the Chaplet that were Jesus's words to St. Faustina,
"When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person not as just judge but as merciful savior"
I was praying for God's mercy for my brother who stood on the doorstep of death for the last two days and I didn't even know it.
Now that I have read the diary it is crystal clear to me what God was trying to do. While showing me how to pray for my brother, who was about to die, God was preparing my soul for battle that was to come. Here is an excerpt from MY diary on Sept. 3rd 2022, I wrote it the afternoon the day of his death;
"Prayer is the battlefield but it is also training for the battle. In the Marines we would go shoot thousands of rounds down range with all of our different weapon systems until it was muscle memory, automatic and when the enemy suprised us and it was time to fight we didn't have to think about what to do, we just did it."
This is an excerpt from St. Faustina's Diary,
“A soul arms itself by prayer for all kinds of combat. In whatever state the soul may be, it ought to pray. A soul which is pure and beautiful must pray, or it will lose its beauty; a soul which is striving after this purity must pray, or else it will never attain it; a soul which is newly converted must pray, or else it will fall again; a sinful soul, plunged in sins, must pray so that it might rise again. There is no soul which is not bound to pray, for every single grace comes to the soul through prayer (Diary of St. Faustina, 146).”
My brother was no saint, and he lived a rather untraditional lifestyle to say the least, but he was my brother and I loved him dearly. He was also the only father figure I had growing up. I was very worried about where he was the night he died, but as I reflected on the timing of everything that had happened I knew that God loved my brother more than I ever did and he wanted me to know that his mercy is so vast, so mysterous that I can't even begin to comprehend it.
As I read St. Faustina's words the picture of Gods mercy became clearer and clearer and my soul was given peace;
"Only the soul who wants it will be damned."
'Let our judgement of souls cease for God's mercy upon them is extraordinary."
"Gods mercy sometimes touches the sinner at the last moment in a wondorous and mysterious way. Outwardly it would seems as if everything were lost but it is not so. The soul illumined by a ray of Gods powerful final grace turns to God in the last moment with such a power of love, that in an instant it receives from God forgiveness of sin and punishment. While outwardly it shows no sign either of repentance or of contrition because souls at that stage no longer react to external things."
I have a great hope that I will one day see my brother again in heaven.
Towards the end of the diary when St. Faustina was going through immense pain as she was dying at the age of 33 from tuberculosis she prayed to God to "Fortify me for the struggle." This is what the Lord Jesus did for me as my brother approached death and I would lose someone who was dear to me. He prepared me for the battle. I know that in this life we are all promised all sorts of pain and suffering so now I pray with all my heart,
Jesus I trust in you, fortify me for the struggle. Thank you for your Mercy.
Update: 6 months later one of my best friends died and 3 months after that my mother died as well. I was able to hold my moms hand as she lay dying everyday for a week and pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for her. God is good and I believe and pray that they both are with Him. He is close to the broken hearted and He has drawn very close to me in the suffering and for that I rejoice.
Update: Easter 2025 I was confirmed in the the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Glory to Jesus Christ.
Here is the backstory;
On Sept. 1st, 2022 I was listening to a podcast "Pints With Aquinas" and the guest Jonathon Roumie (He plays Jesus off of "The Chosen") was talking about prayer and he mentioned, just sort of off handedly, that "Rick Warren loves to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy." Now I started following the Lord when I went to Saddleback Church in Southern California - Rick Warren's church. So, I looked up the interview where Rick Warren had, in fact, said that he did indeed love praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. So I looked up the prayer and it was said on a Rosary, which made me pause because I am not a Catholic and growing up my good protestant mother always told me to never say form prayers or prayers that are repeated, but as a I read the words, I felt drawn to them. The main part is, "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. For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and the whole world."
The next two days, Sept 2nd and Sept 3rd, I went to pray the chaplet again and I had such an anxiety about the prayer but I couldn't put my finger on exactly why that was. I thought maybe it was my mothers warnings echoing in my soul, but I knew it was more than that. I prayed about the Chaplet and about prayer in general. I felt that God wanted me to repeat these words as he was preparing me for a battle and I recorded that in my journal.
That evening, the evening of Sept. 3rd, 2022 as I was reading with my son, my nephew called and told me my brother had just died from a heart attack..
He was 45 and had 3 sons and a wife. I was in schock. I didn't know what to do or what to say. After I hung up the phone my son and I went immediately out to the garage and prayed the Chaplet together. Then I noticed one of the excerpts from St. Faustina's Diary that was on the print out of the Chaplet that were Jesus's words to St. Faustina,
"When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person not as just judge but as merciful savior"
I was praying for God's mercy for my brother who stood on the doorstep of death for the last two days and I didn't even know it.
Now that I have read the diary it is crystal clear to me what God was trying to do. While showing me how to pray for my brother, who was about to die, God was preparing my soul for battle that was to come. Here is an excerpt from MY diary on Sept. 3rd 2022, I wrote it the afternoon the day of his death;
"Prayer is the battlefield but it is also training for the battle. In the Marines we would go shoot thousands of rounds down range with all of our different weapon systems until it was muscle memory, automatic and when the enemy suprised us and it was time to fight we didn't have to think about what to do, we just did it."
This is an excerpt from St. Faustina's Diary,
“A soul arms itself by prayer for all kinds of combat. In whatever state the soul may be, it ought to pray. A soul which is pure and beautiful must pray, or it will lose its beauty; a soul which is striving after this purity must pray, or else it will never attain it; a soul which is newly converted must pray, or else it will fall again; a sinful soul, plunged in sins, must pray so that it might rise again. There is no soul which is not bound to pray, for every single grace comes to the soul through prayer (Diary of St. Faustina, 146).”
My brother was no saint, and he lived a rather untraditional lifestyle to say the least, but he was my brother and I loved him dearly. He was also the only father figure I had growing up. I was very worried about where he was the night he died, but as I reflected on the timing of everything that had happened I knew that God loved my brother more than I ever did and he wanted me to know that his mercy is so vast, so mysterous that I can't even begin to comprehend it.
As I read St. Faustina's words the picture of Gods mercy became clearer and clearer and my soul was given peace;
"Only the soul who wants it will be damned."
'Let our judgement of souls cease for God's mercy upon them is extraordinary."
"Gods mercy sometimes touches the sinner at the last moment in a wondorous and mysterious way. Outwardly it would seems as if everything were lost but it is not so. The soul illumined by a ray of Gods powerful final grace turns to God in the last moment with such a power of love, that in an instant it receives from God forgiveness of sin and punishment. While outwardly it shows no sign either of repentance or of contrition because souls at that stage no longer react to external things."
I have a great hope that I will one day see my brother again in heaven.
Towards the end of the diary when St. Faustina was going through immense pain as she was dying at the age of 33 from tuberculosis she prayed to God to "Fortify me for the struggle." This is what the Lord Jesus did for me as my brother approached death and I would lose someone who was dear to me. He prepared me for the battle. I know that in this life we are all promised all sorts of pain and suffering so now I pray with all my heart,
Jesus I trust in you, fortify me for the struggle. Thank you for your Mercy.
Update: 6 months later one of my best friends died and 3 months after that my mother died as well. I was able to hold my moms hand as she lay dying everyday for a week and pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for her. God is good and I believe and pray that they both are with Him. He is close to the broken hearted and He has drawn very close to me in the suffering and for that I rejoice.
Update: Easter 2025 I was confirmed in the the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Glory to Jesus Christ.
December 4, 2013
I started this book a number of times and always put it down. Then a priest told me that reading the book was given to him as a penance. He said it was the longest penance of his life because it took him over a year to complete. Armed with that information I was able to pick it up and read it through.
It has been a few years since I read the book, but as I recall there are a number of things that stand out.
Sr. Faustina was very humble and frail.
She regularly had conversations with Jesus and Mary and was instructed by her confessor to write everything down. She was told that Poland would suffer for their indiscretions (This is just before the WWII invasion.) She once brought bread to a beggar outside the convent gates, only later to have a conversation with Jesus, that it was Him.
Early on she was given the charge of getting an image of Jesus painted and spreading the word of God's unfathomable mercy. The book details Faustina's doubt and fear as well as the resistance she encounters and her many, many daily revelations.
Jesus taught her the Devine Mercy Chaplet, which she said frequently for dying souls, many of whom asked her to pray for them (even though they were miles away).
Today the image that was painted is the Image of Devine Mercy Sunday, the Sunday after Easter.
From the book: On one occasion, I heard these words: My daughter, tell the whole world about My Inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.* [our emphasis] On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will I contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy. (Diary 699)
It has been a few years since I read the book, but as I recall there are a number of things that stand out.
Sr. Faustina was very humble and frail.
She regularly had conversations with Jesus and Mary and was instructed by her confessor to write everything down. She was told that Poland would suffer for their indiscretions (This is just before the WWII invasion.) She once brought bread to a beggar outside the convent gates, only later to have a conversation with Jesus, that it was Him.
Early on she was given the charge of getting an image of Jesus painted and spreading the word of God's unfathomable mercy. The book details Faustina's doubt and fear as well as the resistance she encounters and her many, many daily revelations.
Jesus taught her the Devine Mercy Chaplet, which she said frequently for dying souls, many of whom asked her to pray for them (even though they were miles away).
Today the image that was painted is the Image of Devine Mercy Sunday, the Sunday after Easter.
From the book: On one occasion, I heard these words: My daughter, tell the whole world about My Inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.* [our emphasis] On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will I contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy. (Diary 699)
June 15, 2020
In this book,Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul, Saint Faustina tells the reader about God’s bottomless mercy, and how to trust in Jesus. The way she depicts Our Lord makes the reader to want to love Him even more! Saint Faustina has various conversations and visions that enlighten the reader and strengthen them in their spiritual relationship with Jesus. This book is definitely on the top of my list to recommend to someone who wants to learn how to become more virtuous.
March 14, 2016
I didn't vote for this, and wasn't looking forward to reading it, but found it a very powerful and moving book, if a little hard to understand at times. As many point out it is somewhat repetitious, but it is a diary, and it is an amazing considering the writer is a young Polish nun with very little education.
I found the spirituality reflected in this book powerful, moving and convicting.
I found the spirituality reflected in this book powerful, moving and convicting.
April 18, 2008
I'm learning what God can do if we leave our lives into His hands, I'm totally loving this book.
April 12, 2010
Amazing diary from a great Saint of the church. Great insight into the unfathomable mercy of Jesus Christ.
November 14, 2024
“I only know that I love and am loved. That is enough for me.”
Read
December 26, 2024My big, year-long, Catholic reading project for 2024... insightful, inspirational, informative. Read alongside the audiobook/podcast "Saint Faustina's Diary in a Year" by Fr Joe Roesch of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception who provided some commentary on each day's portion of text.
October 15, 2025
I will probably have this book in proximity for the rest of my life. The Gospel is Mercy. Every good is Mercy. Mercy mercy mercy mercy mercy mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Mercy triumphs over death.
March 25, 2014
In the meditation on the goal for man, I understood that this truth is deeply rooted in my soul, and that my deeds are therefore the more perfect. I know why I was created. All creatures taken together cannot take the place, for me, of my Creator. I know that God is my ultimate goal and so, in whatever I undertake, I take God into account. para 1329
When I hesitate on how to act in some situations, I always ask Love. It advises best. Para 1354
Jesus: Oh, how painful it is to Me that souls so seldom unite themselves to Me in Holy Communion. I wait for souls, and they are indifferent toward Me. I love them tenderly and sincerely, and they distrust Me. I want to lavish My graces on them, and they do not want to accept them. They treat Me as a dead object, whereas My Heart is full of love and mercy. In order that you may know at least some of My pain, imagine the most tender of mothers who has great love for her children, while those children spurn her love. Consider her pain. No one is in a position to console her. This is but a feeble image and likeness of My love. Para 1447
Jesus: Write, speak of My mercy. Tell souls where they are to look for solace; that is, in the Tribunal of Mercy [The Sacrament of Reconciliation]. There the greatest miracles take place [and] are incessantly repeated. To avail oneself of this miracle, it is not necessary to go on a great pilgrimage or to carry out some external ceremony; it suffices to come with faith to the feet of My representative and to reveal to him one’s misery, and the miracle of Divine Mercy will be fully demonstrated. Were a soul like a decaying corpse so that from a human standpoint, there would be no [hope of] restoration and everything would already be lost, it is not so with God. The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that soul in full. Oh, how miserable are those who do not take advantage of the miracle of God’s mercy! You will call out in vain, but it will be too late. Para 1448
Jesus: Listen, My daughter, although all the works that come into being by My will are exposed to great sufferings, consider whether any of them has been subject to greater difficulties than that work which is directly Mine – the work of Redemption. You should not worry too much about adversities. The world is not as powerful as it seems to be; its strength is strictly limited. Know, my daughter, that if your soul is filled with the fire of My pure love, then all difficulties dissipate like fog before the sun’s rays and dare not touch the soul. All adversaries are afraid to start a quarrel with such a soul, because they sense that it is stronger than the whole world… para 1643
May 1, 1938. This evening Jesus said to me, My daughter, do you need anything? I answered, “O my Love, when I have You I have everything.” And the Lord answered, if souls would put themselves completely in my care, I Myself would undertake the task of sanctifying them, and I would lavish even greater graces on them. There are souls who thwart My efforts, but I have not given up on them; as often as they turn to Me, I hurry to their aid, shielding them with My mercy, and I give them the first place in My compassionate Heart. Para 1682
Today the Lord said to me, My daughter, look into My Merciful Heart and reflect its compassion in your own heart and in your deeds, so that you, who proclaim My mercy to the world, may yourself be aflame with it. Para 1688
Jesus: Tell sinners that I am always waiting for them, that I listen intently to the beating of their heart… when will it beat for Me? Write that I am speaking to them through their remorse of conscience, through their failures and sufferings, through thunderstorms, through the voice of the Church. And if they bring all My graces to naught, I begin to be angry with them, leaving them alone and giving them what they want. Para 1728
When I hesitate on how to act in some situations, I always ask Love. It advises best. Para 1354
Jesus: Oh, how painful it is to Me that souls so seldom unite themselves to Me in Holy Communion. I wait for souls, and they are indifferent toward Me. I love them tenderly and sincerely, and they distrust Me. I want to lavish My graces on them, and they do not want to accept them. They treat Me as a dead object, whereas My Heart is full of love and mercy. In order that you may know at least some of My pain, imagine the most tender of mothers who has great love for her children, while those children spurn her love. Consider her pain. No one is in a position to console her. This is but a feeble image and likeness of My love. Para 1447
Jesus: Write, speak of My mercy. Tell souls where they are to look for solace; that is, in the Tribunal of Mercy [The Sacrament of Reconciliation]. There the greatest miracles take place [and] are incessantly repeated. To avail oneself of this miracle, it is not necessary to go on a great pilgrimage or to carry out some external ceremony; it suffices to come with faith to the feet of My representative and to reveal to him one’s misery, and the miracle of Divine Mercy will be fully demonstrated. Were a soul like a decaying corpse so that from a human standpoint, there would be no [hope of] restoration and everything would already be lost, it is not so with God. The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that soul in full. Oh, how miserable are those who do not take advantage of the miracle of God’s mercy! You will call out in vain, but it will be too late. Para 1448
Jesus: Listen, My daughter, although all the works that come into being by My will are exposed to great sufferings, consider whether any of them has been subject to greater difficulties than that work which is directly Mine – the work of Redemption. You should not worry too much about adversities. The world is not as powerful as it seems to be; its strength is strictly limited. Know, my daughter, that if your soul is filled with the fire of My pure love, then all difficulties dissipate like fog before the sun’s rays and dare not touch the soul. All adversaries are afraid to start a quarrel with such a soul, because they sense that it is stronger than the whole world… para 1643
May 1, 1938. This evening Jesus said to me, My daughter, do you need anything? I answered, “O my Love, when I have You I have everything.” And the Lord answered, if souls would put themselves completely in my care, I Myself would undertake the task of sanctifying them, and I would lavish even greater graces on them. There are souls who thwart My efforts, but I have not given up on them; as often as they turn to Me, I hurry to their aid, shielding them with My mercy, and I give them the first place in My compassionate Heart. Para 1682
Today the Lord said to me, My daughter, look into My Merciful Heart and reflect its compassion in your own heart and in your deeds, so that you, who proclaim My mercy to the world, may yourself be aflame with it. Para 1688
Jesus: Tell sinners that I am always waiting for them, that I listen intently to the beating of their heart… when will it beat for Me? Write that I am speaking to them through their remorse of conscience, through their failures and sufferings, through thunderstorms, through the voice of the Church. And if they bring all My graces to naught, I begin to be angry with them, leaving them alone and giving them what they want. Para 1728
February 6, 2013
Has changed and deepened my relationship with The Lord. Anyone who's Catholic should read this book as it contains the integral mystery of God revealed-namely it focuses on One of Two of His Most powerful Characteristics, His Mercy. [The other being His Love].
Please everyone read this diary, you discover so much. Jesus Himself gives insights into the Confessional [people who read this will gain a deeper understanding to this Sacrament, more peace and how The Lord Himself comes to meet us through the man of the Priest]. It's along the lines of: the Confessional is where "our misery meets God's Mercy] Never will God refuse a contrite soul. God wanted this book to be read by ALL! St. Faustina wrote so ALL could read this book! Jesus wants you to come to Him in confidence and trust. I cannot stress this book enough.
Pax Christi everyone! xx
Please everyone read this diary, you discover so much. Jesus Himself gives insights into the Confessional [people who read this will gain a deeper understanding to this Sacrament, more peace and how The Lord Himself comes to meet us through the man of the Priest]. It's along the lines of: the Confessional is where "our misery meets God's Mercy] Never will God refuse a contrite soul. God wanted this book to be read by ALL! St. Faustina wrote so ALL could read this book! Jesus wants you to come to Him in confidence and trust. I cannot stress this book enough.
Pax Christi everyone! xx
May 31, 2007
I read an earlier printing of this book. Intense read..I love reading about her conversations with Jesus. The intimacy of her friendship with Him is something I find enormously consoling - because I know how much He desires this same intimacy with all of us.
April 1, 2021
I've been journeying with this Saint for a year now, and I can honestly say that I still don't understand her. But boy, did I love this book.
February 17, 2019
This is a 700 page diary of St. Faustina Kowalska who lived in Poland. She became a nun in the 1930's (I believe) and thereafter suffered a severe illness, yet in her weak state, was visited by our Lord and given the Divine Mercy image and chaplet to disperse. Here, the Lord uses a very weak vessel, sick and near death many times, to transmit one of the most powerful prayers of our time, the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
I am particularly enamored with this Saint because she was Polish. My father was 1st generation Polish both his parents were Polish immigrants. I have wondered if my father's family was near Cracow or any other place that St. Faustina lived and prayed. This is certainly possible. My father was not a practicing Catholic, though I believe was probably baptized into the Catholic faith; he did love the Episcopal Church and took us to it on alternate Sundays.
Thus my connection to St. Faustina and thoughts about her work and life emerged from my Polish heritage.
The book is beautiful, simple to read and yet deeper than the depths of the sea and wider than the starlight sky, because here we discover a discourse between this Saint and Our Lord about her path, her struggles and her unsurpassed willingness to submit to His work and Holy Will, that is to bring the Divine Mercy Chaplet to the world and to explain that His Mercy is greater than any obstacle we encounter.
Prayer, Confession, Mass, the Eucharist are her strength and fortitude as she continues her mission to bring the Divine Mercy image and Chaplet to the world. The Lord, promises thus and she in her weak state believes that He will accomplish this great undertaking.
The message of prayer comes through clearly as she states (69) :
"A soul arms itself by prayer for all kinds of combat. In whatever state the soul may be, it ought to pray. A soul which is pure and beautiful must pray, or else it will lose its beauty; a soul which is striving after this purity must pray, or else it will never attain it; a soul which is newly converted must pray, or else it will fall again, a sinful soul, plunged in since must pray so that it might rise again. There is no soul which is not bound to pray for every single grace comes to the soul through prayer."
I highly recommend this book, it's a lovely bedtime read and best of all, such uplifting thoughts and words ensure a peaceful sleep. Happy reading!
I am particularly enamored with this Saint because she was Polish. My father was 1st generation Polish both his parents were Polish immigrants. I have wondered if my father's family was near Cracow or any other place that St. Faustina lived and prayed. This is certainly possible. My father was not a practicing Catholic, though I believe was probably baptized into the Catholic faith; he did love the Episcopal Church and took us to it on alternate Sundays.
Thus my connection to St. Faustina and thoughts about her work and life emerged from my Polish heritage.
The book is beautiful, simple to read and yet deeper than the depths of the sea and wider than the starlight sky, because here we discover a discourse between this Saint and Our Lord about her path, her struggles and her unsurpassed willingness to submit to His work and Holy Will, that is to bring the Divine Mercy Chaplet to the world and to explain that His Mercy is greater than any obstacle we encounter.
Prayer, Confession, Mass, the Eucharist are her strength and fortitude as she continues her mission to bring the Divine Mercy image and Chaplet to the world. The Lord, promises thus and she in her weak state believes that He will accomplish this great undertaking.
The message of prayer comes through clearly as she states (69) :
"A soul arms itself by prayer for all kinds of combat. In whatever state the soul may be, it ought to pray. A soul which is pure and beautiful must pray, or else it will lose its beauty; a soul which is striving after this purity must pray, or else it will never attain it; a soul which is newly converted must pray, or else it will fall again, a sinful soul, plunged in since must pray so that it might rise again. There is no soul which is not bound to pray for every single grace comes to the soul through prayer."
I highly recommend this book, it's a lovely bedtime read and best of all, such uplifting thoughts and words ensure a peaceful sleep. Happy reading!
July 29, 2018
This was an amazing book to read. Ive had this book for years until i finnaly had enought time to finish it.
Every page was captivating, every single word was a pure gold.
I m fascinated by the fact how much she had to go throught even though she was very weak she was mentaly so strong and dedicated to finish her life journey and purpose that so many souls have been enriched until now.
A lot of the thoughts and conversations that she had with God gave me clarity, strength and hope. She was able to go through several hours of physical and mental pain without grumbleing which i dont thing most of us could handle.
She sacrifested all of the pain and suffering for saving sinners and she attributed all of the blessings she recieved to God and after accompplishing her life purpose she waited without fear for God to take her with him to an eternal life .
Even when you´ll feel down just read the parts of the book where God said something to Faustina and it will help you returnt to the right path and assure you that even the smallest act of kindness done by the weakest person isn´t overlooked by God.
Every page was captivating, every single word was a pure gold.
I m fascinated by the fact how much she had to go throught even though she was very weak she was mentaly so strong and dedicated to finish her life journey and purpose that so many souls have been enriched until now.
A lot of the thoughts and conversations that she had with God gave me clarity, strength and hope. She was able to go through several hours of physical and mental pain without grumbleing which i dont thing most of us could handle.
She sacrifested all of the pain and suffering for saving sinners and she attributed all of the blessings she recieved to God and after accompplishing her life purpose she waited without fear for God to take her with him to an eternal life .
Even when you´ll feel down just read the parts of the book where God said something to Faustina and it will help you returnt to the right path and assure you that even the smallest act of kindness done by the weakest person isn´t overlooked by God.
January 19, 2019
Lenkės vienuolės dienoraštis, kurį jai liepė rašyti jos dvasinis vadovas po to, kai Faustina pasakė, kad matė Jėzų. Šis dienoraštis tai Jėzaus žinia perpinta asmeniniais vienuolės išgyvenimais ir pamastymais. Faustina Marija Kowalska buvo oficialiai Katalikų Bažnyčios paskelbta šventaja, o pačio Jėzaus paveikslas, kurį Jėzus jos prašė nutapyti buvo nutapytas Vilniuje ir dabar kabo Vilniaus Dievo Gailestingumo šventovėje. Daugelį vizijų Faustina regėjo taip pat Vilniuje, todėl Lietuvos katalikams tai ypatinga knyga.
Subalansuota krikščionims, bet manau būtų puikus skaitinys ir psichiatrui. O tikinčiajam psichiatrui iš viso perlas.
Subalansuota krikščionims, bet manau būtų puikus skaitinys ir psichiatrui. O tikinčiajam psichiatrui iš viso perlas.
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