About the Image of Merciful Jesus revealed to saint Faustyna
“God, in His historical actions, has entered the world of our senses so that this world becomes transparent to us. The images of beauty, in which the mystery of the invisible God is manifested, belong to Christian worship.”
(from “The Spirit of the Liturgy” – Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger – Benedict XVI)
“Whoever loves wants to see at least the shadow of an image, at least a trace leading to the beloved’s home, at least the outstretched hands of a signpost, at least a cross, at least a litany of exhortations, at least a stone tower, going into the lightning, to see the face of God!d.”
(from Promethidion – Bogumił, by Cyprian Norwid)
“He who has seen Me has seen the Father also.”
(from the Gospel – John 14:9)
Płock, February 22, 1931
“In the evening, when I was in my cell, I saw the Lord Jesus dressed in a white robe. One hand was raised in blessing, and the other touched the robe at His chest. From the opening in the robe at His chest came forth two great rays, one red and the other pale. In silence, I gazed at the Lord, my soul was filled with awe, but also with great joy. After a moment, Jesus said to me:
‘Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the inscription: Jesus, I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel and throughout the world.’” These are words recorded in the Diary of Saint Faustina (Diary 47)
Sister Faustina wrote in her Diary after the creation of the image of Jesus, I trust in You. “The first draft” at the end of August 1934 begins with an invocation from the words:
O eternal Love, You command that Your holy image be painted And reveal to us the unfathomable fount of Your mercy, You bless whoever approaches Your rays, And the black soul will turn into snow. O sweet Jesus, here* You have established the throne of Your mercy, To bring joy and aid to sinful man, From the open Heart, like from a pure fount, Flows comfort for the soul and a contrite heart. May the honor and glory for this image Flow unceasingly from the soul of man, May every heart give honor to God’s mercy Now and forever and at every hour.
- here (in this painted image)
However, before Faustina wrote this hymn in her Diary, she suffered greatly. She was a girl sensitive to beauty, but she could not paint. She made several unsuccessful attempts and, tormented, did not know how to fulfill the command of the Lord Jesus, and Jesus insisted. She wrote: “Suddenly I saw the Lord, who said to me: Know this, if you neglect the matter of painting this image and the entire work of mercy, you will answer for a great number of souls on the Day of Judgment.” (Diary 154) Very frightened, she said to the Lord: “I will do everything in my power, but please always be with me.”
And who was and is Sister Faustina?
She is a saint of the Catholic Church and the “official” of the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus said: “You are the secretary of My mercy, I have chosen you for this office in this and the next life. So I want, despite all the adversities that will be placed before you; know that My delight will not change.” (Diary 1605)
There was no shortage of adversities, but still… “know…”
Saint Faustina was born on August 25, 1905.