The Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy in Krakow - Lagiewniki
Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy
Lagiewniki is a southern district of Krakow and is known across the world for its huge new Sanctuary of Divine Mercy. Originally, the Sanctuary was in the nearby convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, where St Faustina Kowalska lived and died (1905-1938). It was through St Faustina that Jesus communicated his message of Divine Mercy. St Faustina’s grave is in front of the original painting of the merciful Jesus that bears the words “Jesus, I trust in You”, painted by Adolf Hyła to instructions communicated to St Faustina by the Lord Jesus. Through the medium of this painting, Christ promised an abundance of grace to those who would request it in faith.
Cult of Divine Mercy
St Faustina’s beatification, her canonization (2000), and the pilgrimages of Pope John Paul II to Łagiewniki ignited the spread of the cult of Divine Mercy. The number of pilgrims from all over the world grew and grew until it became imperative to build a new basilica. This was duly done, and it was consecrated by John Paul II on 17 August 2002. At that ceremony the pope commended the whole world to the Lord’s Mercy. Pope Benedict XVI also made a pilgrimage to Łagiewniki, in 2006.
The Feast of Divine Mercy
The Feast of Divine Mercy established by John Paul II is celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter, and that date sees the annual apogee of pilgrimages to the sanctuary.