In July 1924, eighteen year-old Helena Kowalska traveled 85 miles in the middle of the night from Lodz, Poland to Warsaw, where she went from convent to convent asking to be admitted. She had no money and only a third-grade education.
After many rejections, Helena arrived at the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. Mother Michael Moraczewska, superior general of the congregation, told Helena to go to the Master of the house and ask Him if He will admit her. Helena went to the chapel and reported back to Mother Michael that the Master of the house will indeed admit her to the congregation. Mother Michael admitted Helena, but told her she must first earn enough money to pay for her wardrobe. Helena worked for a year as a domestic laborer for a family in Warsaw to earn the money.
On August 1, 1925, Helena Kowalska entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. She took the name Maria Faustina of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Mother Michael described Helena in her diary with three short words:
“No one special.”
How did Jesus describe Saint Faustina? On July 9, 1937, as recorded by Saint Faustina in her diary, Jesus told her:
“My daughter, delight of My Heart, it is with pleasure that I look into your soul. I bestow many graces only because of you.”
On February 14, 1938, Jesus told Saint Faustina:
“You are the Secretary of My Mercy. I have chosen you for that office in this life and the next life. That is how I want it to be in spite of all the opposition they will give you. Know that My choice will not change.”
How does Jesus see you? The way Jesus sees you and the way the world sees you may be very different. But the way Jesus sees you is all that matters.
Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet every day for the salvation of souls.
