The Image of Divine Mercy

The origins of this image are associated with the vision that Saint Faustina of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy had in the convent in Poland on 22nd February, 1931.

She wrote in her diary, "In the evening, when I was in my cell, I saw the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand [was] raised in the gesture of blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From beneath the garment, slightly drawn aside at the breast, there were emanating two large rays, one red, the other pale . . . After a while, Jesus said to me, "Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature; Jesus I Trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated first in your chapel and then throughout the world." (Diary 47)

"I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over [its] enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory." (Diary 48)

Jesus, when asked what the rays meant said, "The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls . . . Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter." (Diary 299)

It is of course the sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation that purify the soul and the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist that is the life of the soul. Thus Jesus is again directing us to this infinite source of His mercy and love.

The words contained in the image, Jesus I Trust in You, are a reminder that we must totally trust in Him and show mercy always to others. Jesus said, "[The image] is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works." (Diary 742)

"My gaze from this image is like My gaze from the cross." (Diary 326) "I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of mercy. That vessel is this image with the signature: 'Jesus, I trust in You.' " (Diary 327)

The veneration of the image is based on confident prayer joined with deeds of mercy, to which Jesus attached the following promises; the grace of salvation, great progress on the road to Christian perfection, the grace of a happy death, and all other graces and temporal blessings which people who practice mercy will ask Him for with trust.