St. Faustina Kowalska is widely known for her profound visions of Jesus and the revelations of Divine Mercy, but less discussed are her documented struggles with spiritual attacks and demonic encounters.
Her diary describes multiple occasions where she encountered dark spiritual forces attempting to disrupt her mission.
It is perhaps no surprise that the evil one targeted the Divine Mercy devotion. After all, the message and imagery that Jesus transmitted through St. Faustina would eventually spread throughout the entire world.
As such, his attacks were particularly terrifying for Faustina. Here are some accounts of several key instances:
The First Demonic Encounter
Early in her spiritual journey, Faustina experienced frightening visions of demons who mocked her and threatened physical harm.
In her diary, she recorded seeing sinister figures surrounding her bed, speaking blasphemies and discouraging her from continuing her work.
Faustina overcame these encounters through persistent prayer and trust in Christ’s mercy.
Nighttime Attacks
Faustina detailed several nighttime attacks in which demons tried to instill fear, despair, or physical suffering.
On one occasion, she wrote that dark entities appeared in grotesque forms, attempting to intimidate her by shaking her bed violently.
Faustina invoked the name of Jesus and called upon Divine Mercy, which immediately caused the attacks to cease.
Encounter at the Hospital
While suffering from tuberculosis, Faustina was hospitalized, during which demonic forces took advantage of her weakened physical state.
Demons appeared to her, trying to convince her that her sufferings were meaningless and her visions mere delusions.
Through steadfast prayer, invoking Jesus’ mercy, Faustina overcame these trials, deepening her trust in God’s protective power.
Disruption During Prayer
St. Faustina detailed several interruptions while praying, particularly during Eucharistic adoration.
She recorded instances where demons attempted to distract her thoughts, creating a sense of overwhelming anxiety or spiritual dryness.
Each time, Faustina firmly resisted, repeatedly reciting the Divine Mercy Chaplet, thus defeating the assaults and regaining peace.
False Visions and Deceptions
The diary also recounts episodes in which Faustina experienced deceptive visions.
Demons would disguise themselves as angels or even attempt to mimic the voice of Christ, providing false messages designed to lead her astray.
Faustina, however, discerned these deceptions through prayer, humility, and obedience to her spiritual director, consistently turning back to Jesus’s authentic revelations of mercy.
The Ultimate Triumph
Despite the frequent demonic assaults, each encounter reinforced Faustina’s resolve and strengthened her reliance on Christ’s power.
In one particularly vivid account, Jesus reassured her, stating, “Do not fear; you are in My protection,” confirming that these trials, though daunting, were powerless against Divine Mercy.
The Triumph of Divine Mercy
These episodes ultimately served to fortify Faustina’s spiritual courage and deepen her reliance on Christ.
They also illustrate the powerful spiritual warfare that accompanied Faustina’s mission, highlighting the strength and authority found in invoking Divine Mercy.
Faustina’s triumph over these dark encounters, only possible with God’s help, provides reassurance and inspiration for those facing spiritual struggles today.
Learn more about the Divine Mercy devotion
Article: Miraculous Origins of Divine Mercy
Article: St. John Paul II and Divine Mercy
Article: Behind the Divine Mercy image
Article: Miracles of St. Faustina
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The Origin of the Divine Mercy Image
The Divine Mercy Image traces its origin to the visions of St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who received a series of messages from Jesus Christ in the 1930s. In one of these visions, Jesus appeared to Sister Faustina as the Divine Mercy, instructing her to have an image painted according to the vision she received.
Sister Faustina described the image to her spiritual director, Father Michael Sopocko, who commissioned artist Eugene Kazimierowski to create the painting. Completed in 1934, the original Divine Mercy Image is now housed at the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The Meaning and Symbolism of the Divine Mercy Image
The Divine Mercy Image depicts Jesus with His right hand raised in blessing and His left hand touching His chest, where two rays emanate – one red and one white. The red ray symbolizes the Blood of Jesus, representing His sacrificial love and the Eucharist, while the white ray represents the water, signifying the purifying power of Baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
At the bottom of the image, the inscription “Jesus, I trust in You” serves as a reminder of the central message of the Divine Mercy devotion: to trust in the infinite mercy and love of Jesus Christ.
The painting’s composition, with Jesus stepping forward, conveys the idea that Christ is actively offering His mercy and forgiveness to all who seek it. The image serves as a visual representation of the Divine Mercy devotion’s core tenets – trust, forgiveness, and the transformative power of God’s love.
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