On August 1, 2025, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Helena Kowalska entering the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Warsaw.
Although she experienced an extraordinary closeness to God from childhood, her path was not an easy one. Helena was a simple girl from Głogowiec, who, grasped the word of Jesus, set off for Warsaw – a vast city where she had never visited and where she knew no one. She didn’t know which convent to join, and yet Warsaw was immense. Nevertheless, she trusted God.
In her ‘Diary’, she wrote: Then I heard these words, “Go immediately to Warsaw, there you will enter a convent.” I rose from prayer, came home and settled the things that were necessary. I confided to my sister, as best I could, what had happened in my soul, and told her to say good-bye for me to our parents, and so, with just the one dress and nothing [else] I set off for Warsaw. (Diary 10) Then I started looking for a convent, but was refused wherever I went. I was heartbroken and said to Jesus, “Help me, don’t leave me alone.” Finally I knocked on our door. (Diary 13)
Before entering the Congregation, Sister Faustina still had to work for a year to earn a modest dowry. Then, the longed-for day finally arrived: Finally the moment came when the door of the convent opened for me – it was in the evening on 1 August the eve of Our Lady of the Angels. I felt extremely happy, I thought I had entered life in paradise. One big prayer of thanksgiving sprang up from my heart. (Diary 17)
We are celebrating the Church’s Jubilee Year 2025 under the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. The celebration of the 100th anniversary of Helena Kowalska’s entry into the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy fits this theme perfectly.Throughout her life’s pilgrimage, St. Faustina placed all her hope in God. This is evident in many events in her life, one of which was undoubtedly her trip to Warsaw and her entry into the convent.
May St. Faustina’s path bear abundant fruit in our lives. Like her, we also are invited to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and to place our complete trust in God in every circumstance of our earthly pilgrimage.
During this special time, let us praise God for the gift of St. Faustina to the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and to the entire Church. Let’s draw on this richness so that, like her, we may bring hope to the world today.
