Today is the Feast of Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish Nun who died 79 years ago on October 5, 1938. She was a faithful religious sister who lived the Consecrated Life with the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Warsaw, Poland.

In 1931, Saint Faustina had an experience in prayer where Jesus raised one hand to bless her and He pointed His other hand towards Himself, where two large rays flowed out from His Pierced Heart. She wrote about the experience in her diary saying, “In silence I gazed intently at the Lord; my soul was overwhelmed with fear, but also with great joy.” Jesus then instructed her to paint an image of Himself with the inscription, “Jesus, I trust in you!” (source)

I invite you to pray those simple, yet powerful words with Saint Faustina today. Look up the image of Divine Mercy and then imagine yourself being in front of Jesus with Saint Faustina. Can you let yourself be vulnerable and share your heart? With confidence, bring your weakness, pain, burdens, sins, and darkness to Jesus, saying with Saint Faustina, “Jesus, I trust in you! Jesus, I trust in you! Jesus, I trust in you!”

In silence, gaze intently at the Lord.

Notice and name the fears which may be overwhelming your soul.

Then notice the great joy of receiving the gift of His merciful love.

Be overwhelmed by His joy.

Be strengthened by His joy.

Because the prophet Nehemiah reminds us today, “[R]ejoicing in the LORD must be your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

[bctt tweet="Be overwhelmed by His joy. Be strengthened by His joy."]

Rose Coleman is a contemplative in action who delights in all things beautiful. Her adventurous heart has traveled many places—from circumnavigating the globe on a ship during college to some years in the convent as a religious sister. Exuberant from her childhood, she is an elementary school teacher who learns so much from her students. You can find out more about her here.