August 25, 1905
Helena Kowalska was born in Glogowiec, Poland; the third of ten children living off a small farm and her father’s carpentry work.
August 27, 1905 Helena is baptized at St. Casimir’s church in Swinice Warckie.
1912 At the age of seven, Helena hears a voice calling her to religious life.
1914 Helena receives first Holy Communion.
1917 Helena begins her primary education, which lasts only two and a half years.
1920 At age 15, Helena begins domestic work to help support her large family.
1922 Helena returns home, announces a desire to enter the convent; her parents oppose; she works two years to help support her family.
July 1924 Helena sees a vision of the scourged Christ who calls her to religious life. Helena goes to Warsaw to search for a convent, and she works to support herself.
August 1925 Helena is accepted by the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy; one month later she wants to leave for a stricter order but stays.
April 30, 1926 Helena receives habit and her religious name Maria Faustina.
April 3, 1927 Sr. Faustina experiences spiritual dark night during novitiate.
April 16, 1928 On Good Friday, she is engulfed by the flame of Divine Love.
April 30, 1928 Sr. Faustina makes her first profession of temporary vows.
December 1928 Newly elected Mother General Michaela Moraczewska is source of help and comfort to Sr. Faustina during her religious life.
October 1928-30 Easily adaptable, Sr. Faustina is sent to work at various houses.
February 22, 1931 Sr. Faustina has a vision of Jesus who tells her to paint His image.
May 1, 1933 Sr. Faustina takes her perpetual vows.
May 25, 1933 Sr. Faustina goes to Vilnius where she receives many mystical experiences and is assisted by Fr. Michael Sopocko, a wise spiritual director.
January 2, 1934 Sr. Faustina visits the artist Kazimirowski, who is to paint the image.
March 29, 1934 Sr. Faustina offers herself for sinners, especially those who lack trust.
June 1934 The painting of Divine Mercy is completed, but Sr. Faustina does not like it.
July 1934 Beginning of Sr. Faustina’s illness; she begins writing the Diary directed by Fr. Michael Sopocko.
April 28, 1935 (Feast of Mercy) Divine Mercy image is publicly venerated in Vilnius for the conclusion of the Jubilee Year of Redemption: January 8, 1936. Sr. Faustina informs the Bishop that Jesus requests the founding of an order.
May 11, 1936 Sr. Faustina goes to Krakow; guided by Fr. Andrasz SJ; her health deteriorates.
September 1937 Holy cards with the Divine Mercy image printed for the first time.
September 1938 Sr. Faustina prepares herself for death, and she asks pardon of the Congregation.
October 5, 1938 Sr. Faustina makes her final confession, and dies late in the evening.
October 7, 1938 Funeral of Sr. Faustina, burial at the convent cemetery.
1938-1959 The Divine Mercy message spreads worldwide through the efforts of Fr. Michael Sopocko, Confessor and Spiritual Director of Sr. Faustina who published images and literature in many languages.
April 1941 Fr. Joseph Jarzebowski, MIC, brings the Divine Mercy message to the USA and the Congregation of Marians of the Immaculate Conception begins to spread the message in Polish.
March 6, 1959 Holy Office issues a notification banning Divine Mercy devotion.
October 21, 1965 Informative Process of Sr. Faustina’s life and virtues is opened by Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, Archbishop of Krakow, encouraged by Cardinal Ottaviani, the Prefect of the Holy Office.
September 1967 Informative Process closes; Cardinal Wojtyla sends acts to Rome, January 31, 1968 The process of Beatification of Sr. Faustina is inaugurated.
April 15, 1978 The Prefect of Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith declares the Notification ban no longer binding.
October 16, 1978 Cardinal Karol Wojtyla becomes Pope John Paul II.
July 12, 1979 The Prefect for the Doctrine of Faith issued an authoritative explanation of the Notification stating that no impediments exist in the spread of the message and devotion to the Divine Mercy in the forms proposed by Sr. Faustina.
November 30, 1980 Pope John Paul II issues encyclical on the Divine Mercy.
November 22, 1981 Pope John Paul II visits the Shrine of Merciful Love in Collevalenza near Todi, Italy, stating that, “Right from the beginning of my ministry in St. Peter’s See in Rome, I considered this message (of Divine Mercy) my special task.”
April 10, 1991 Pope John Paul II links the encyclical’s message to Sr. Faustina.
March 7, 1992 Decree of Heroic Virtues of Sr. Faustina is promulgated.
December 1992 Miracle through intercession of Sr. Faustina is accepted.
April 18, 1993 Sr. Faustina is beatified in Rome on the Second Sunday of Easter.
January 2000 Second miracle through Blessed Faustina intercession is accepted.
April 30, 2000 Blessed Faustina is canonized in Rome on Divine Mercy Sunday and Divine Mercy Sunday is proclaimed.
May 5, 2000 Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issues a Decree proclaiming the Second Sunday of Easter also as Divine Mercy Sunday.
December 2000 The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments listed the Devotion to the Divine Mercy in its Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: Principles and Guidelines.
April 22, 2001 Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated officially for the first time by the universal Church.
May 13, 2001 Congregation For The Clergy issues a document: “Priest of God, you embody the Mystery of Mercy.”
August 18, 2002 John Paul II consecrates the whole world to the Divine Mercy from The Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Krakow-Lagiewniki, the site of St. Faustina’s tomb.
August 21, 2002 Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary issued on Indulgences attached to devotions in honor of Divine Mercy.
April 02, 2005 On the Vigil of the Feast of Divine Mercy Holy Father John Paul II – The Great Pope of the Divine Mercy died
June 28, 2005 Process of Beatification of John Paul II is opened by Holy Father Benedict XVI.