Exactly 120 years ago, on August 25, 1905, the Kowalski family welcomed their third daughter, Helena, known today as Saint Faustina. Two days after her birth, Helena was baptised.
Her parents must have wondered what she would be like when she grew up. While they may have had their own plans for her life, they certainly did not expect their newborn daughter to become a great saint known throughout the world.
God loved her and chose her even before she was born. This truth is very well expressed in the words of the prophet Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jer 1:5)
God knew each of us before we were born. Each of us is wanted, loved, and chosen by God. He thought about each of us even before the world was created.
Life is a great gift!
Saint Faustina lived her daily life in this way. That is why, despite the many difficulties and sufferings she encountered, she glorified God, always recognising His love.
In her Diary, St. Faustina wrote:
‘‘Thank You, O God, for the many graces
You’re all the time bestowing,
For me, they’re as bright as sunlight,
The right and sure way showing.
Thank You, O God, for creating me,
Giving me life out of nothingness,
Out of the void, You have been leading me;
With Your love’s seal, my life is impressed.” (Diary 1286)
As we thank God for the gift of St.Faustina on the 120th anniversary of her birth, let us awaken within ourselves gratitude for our lives and our vocation.
Let us ask merciful God for the grace to see His love in everything and that, like Saint Faustina, we may live in adoration regardless of the circumstances we encounter.
