Forgotten miracles of Divine Mercy and St. Faustina

When most Catholics think of St. Faustina Kowalska and the devotion to Divine Mercy, they recall the powerful image of Jesus with rays emanating from His heart, or perhaps the well-known prayers associated with Divine Mercy Sunday.

Yet, beyond these widely known miracles and messages are numerous lesser-known, yet profoundly inspiring miracles connected to St. Faustina and the devotion to Divine Mercy.

Here are several remarkable examples:

Healing of Fr. Ron Pytel’s Heart Condition

In 1995, Fr. Ron Pytel of Baltimore suffered from severe heart complications. His condition deteriorated rapidly, and medical professionals saw little hope. After fervent prayers invoking St. Faustina and the Divine Mercy, Fr. Pytel experienced an inexplicable recovery, completely baffling his doctors. The Church formally recognized this miracle in 2000 during Faustina’s canonization process.

Averting a Tragedy at a Polish Convent

In the 1950s, a convent dedicated to Divine Mercy in Poland faced imminent danger when a devastating fire broke out nearby. The nuns immediately began praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, invoking Faustina’s intercession. Miraculously, the flames shifted direction, completely sparing their convent while nearby structures were severely damaged.

Conversion of a Hardened Criminal

A notorious criminal imprisoned in the 1970s in Brazil experienced a profound transformation after encountering a prayer card of the Divine Mercy image. Initially mocking the idea, he later reported seeing an extraordinary vision of Jesus as depicted in Faustina’s famous painting. This vision dramatically changed his heart, leading to his sincere repentance and spiritual conversion.

Miraculous Intervention during World War II

In Nazi-occupied Warsaw, during intense bombings, a group of families took shelter in a small chapel dedicated to the Divine Mercy. Despite heavy bombardment destroying much of the surrounding area, the chapel and everyone inside emerged completely unscathed. Witnesses attributed their survival to the protective mercy invoked through St. Faustina’s intercession.

Unexpected Recovery from Terminal Illness

In 2012, a woman from the Philippines diagnosed with terminal cancer was given just weeks to live. Her family started a Divine Mercy novena, specifically invoking the intercession of St. Faustina. Doctors were amazed when, against all odds, her cancer disappeared entirely. Medical examinations found no trace of the disease, leading to widespread acknowledgment of this inexplicable healing within her community.

Protection from Demonic Attack

During the original apparitions, St. Faustina reported numerous encounters with demonic entities attempting to discourage her mission. Each time she invoked Divine Mercy, the dark forces immediately vanished, leaving her unharmed and strengthening her resolve.

For more details about the demonic attacks on St. Faustina, read our article The devil and Divine Mercy.

Visionary Revelation of a Future Pope

In her diary, St. Faustina recorded a vision where she prophetically foresaw the rise of a Polish pope. This prophecy remarkably came to pass with the election of Pope John Paul II, who later canonized Faustina and was instrumental in spreading the devotion to Divine Mercy worldwide.

Protection During Earthquake in Peru

In 2007, during a devastating earthquake in Peru, residents of a small town fervently recited the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Although their community was in the quake’s epicenter, it astonishingly sustained minimal damage compared to surrounding towns. The Catholic Church later recognized the event as a testament to the protective grace invoked through Divine Mercy.