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!