The Divine Mercy image holds significant importance in Catholicism, particularly within the context of the devotion to the Divine Mercy as propagated by Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun. The history of the Divine Mercy image can be traced back to the visions and revelations experienced by Saint Faustina in the 1930s.
In 1931, Saint Faustina reported having a vision of Jesus Christ, who instructed her to have an image painted according to the vision she saw. The image was to depict Jesus with one hand raised in blessing and the other touching his chest, from which two rays of light emanated – one red and one pale. These rays symbolize the blood and water that flowed from Jesus’ side after his crucifixion, representing the sacraments of Eucharist and Baptism, and the mercy poured out for humanity.
The painting was executed according to Saint Faustina’s description by the artist Eugene Kazimierowski under her guidance. However, Saint Faustina expressed dissatisfaction with the initial painting, feeling it did not capture the vision accurately. Eventually, the final version of the image, known as the Divine Mercy image, was completed.
The image gained prominence after Saint Faustina’s death in 1938 when her diary, which contained accounts of her visions and conversations with Jesus, was published. Devotion to the Divine Mercy spread rapidly, particularly after World War II, as people sought solace and hope in the message of God’s mercy amidst the devastation of the war.
In 1959, Pope John XXIII authorized the veneration of the Divine Mercy image during the canonization process of Saint Faustina. Subsequently, Pope John Paul II, who had a deep devotion to the Divine Mercy, further popularized it during his pontificate. In 2000, he canonized Saint Faustina and declared the Sunday after Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday, emphasizing the importance of the devotion within the Catholic Church.
