Which Catholic saint’s visions inspired the Divine Mercy devotion promoted worldwide?
Answer
Faustina Kowalska
Faustina Kowalska’s visions inspired the Divine Mercy devotion promoted worldwide.
Born Helena Kowalska in Poland in 1905, Faustina joined the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1925. Between 1931 and her death in 1938, she reported visions of Jesus that became the basis of the Divine Mercy devotion. Her diary records spiritual experiences, prayers, and a call to trust in God’s mercy.
The devotion includes the Divine Mercy image, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and the observance of Divine Mercy Sunday. Polish priest Michael Sopocko served as her confessor and helped support the spread of the devotion.
Pope John Paul II beatified Faustina in 1993 and canonized her in 2000. He also established Divine Mercy Sunday for the universal Church. Faustina is sometimes confused with the saints associated with Lourdes or the Miraculous Medal, but her distinctive association is Divine Mercy.