Karol Wojtyla (John Paul) was born in Wadowice, Poland, where later he moved to Krakow beginning his journey in the priesthood. Five years after his birth, Helena Kowalska from Glogowiec, Poland applied for the second time to the "Congregation of The Sister's of Our Lady of Charity" on August 1, 1925. This time she was accepted. She was nearly 20 at this time. After completing her postulancy she received her veil, and on April 30, 1926 she received her habit and her name in religion. From now on Helena would bear the name of,
Sister Mary Faustina.

Sister Faustina began to have a number of religious experiences far from what one might consider the norm. Having mentioned these unusual occurrences to her spiritual advisors, (Rev. M. Sopocko and Fr. J. Andrasz, S.J.) Sister was instructed to keep a diary of these events. In the coming years Mary Faustina would receive many visitations from Heavenly Hosts. During some of these visitations Sister Faustina was instructed by Jesus for a devotional painting which today we call the "Image of Divine Mercy." Sister was also instructed with rosaries prayers known as the "Chaplet of Divine Mercy."

An artist was hired to work with Faustina to paint the image of Mercy. Though Faustina was never really happy with the image the final painting was considered finished. For a time this devotional was widely accepted. During this time is when Cardinal Karol Wojtyla (John Paul) heard of Sister Faustina and he believed in this attentiveness. Sad to say the Pope elect at that time did not believe in the Chaplet or the image of Divine Mercy and thus they were removed from all church devotions.

When Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was elected Pope John Paul II, he renewed interest in the Divine Mercy devotionals. With this renewed interest, the diaries of Sister Faustina were published in Polish and later published in English in 1987. To read "Divine Mercy In My Soul" is an undertaking, it totals 697 pages. However, it is one of the most moving and inspirational books I have ever read.

On March 10, 2000 the Vatican announced that Polish nun, Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska would be canonized on April 30, 2000. The canonization took place as stated at, St. Peter's in Rome. The event also was joyously held at the National Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, MA. USA. Our beloved Pope, John Paul announced during the canonization in Rome that from now on the second Sunday of Easter is declared "Mercy Sunday."

On the evening of April 2, 2005 John Paul was near death. The next day was Divine Mercy Sunday. The usual vespers for the preparations of the "Divine Mercy" had started when John Paul passed away at 9:37, Rome time. There is no question that one of the greatest missions of John Paul was to bring back this awesome devotion. It is therefore fitting that he should pass away during the vespers in preparation of Divine Mercy Sunday. I believe without the Mercy of God there is no hope for this world. I personally remain convinced that John Paul's greatest mission was to place the Mercy of God, in the hands of much needed sinners.

Reference source: Diary of Sister M. Faustina Kowalska, Notebook III, 1209-1330, (57-66).

Jesus said to Sister Faustina, "Encourage souls to place great trust in My fathomless mercy. Let the weak, sinful soul have no fear to approach Me, for even if it had more sins than there are grains of sand in the world, all would be drowned in the unmeasurable depths of My mercy."

Is it just possible that Sister Faustina worte of John Paul in Notebook VI when she wrote the words she heard while praying for Poland, ""...From her (Poland) will come forth the spark that will prepare the world for My final coming."

There is no proof positive that this is what was meant by these words but certainly it would seem that John Paul would be a very reasonable possibility to this writing in Saint Faustina's diary.

SEE ALL OUR PAGES ON DIVINE MERCY
(Story of Sister M. Faustina) (Chaplet of Divine Mercy) (Divine Mercy Novena) 
(Saint Faustina, First Saint of the New Millennium) (St. Faustina's Adoration Prayer)
(Pope John Paul & Saint Maria Faustina) (Feast of Mercy Preparations) (Mercy, Mercy, Mercy)
  (Hour of Mercy) (For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion) (Prayers of Saint Faustina)  (Divine Mercy Sunday)
(Excerpt from, Divine Mercy in My Soul) (Affair with Divine Mercy) (Beatification of John Paul & Final Coming)
(The Jubilee of Divine Mercy)