The diary of [Saint Maria] Faustina is the record of her life experience – the
journey of her soul. She was graced by a special communion with God, and the diary
expresses her conviction that communion ought to be the center of our lives. Since the
1940‟s, the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, St. Stanislaus Kostka Province, have
shared this conviction and have undertaken the promulgation of God's mercy throughout the
world, particularly as it has been proclaimed by [Saint] Faustina.
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In 1979, convinced of the importance of the diary, the Marians were
instrumental in bringing it – in its rough typewritten form – out of Poland. We made the
necessary corrections to the manuscript and published a critical Polish edition that has been
promulgated throughout the world to Polish speaking people.
At the same time, we commissioned a couple in Poland, Adam and Danuta
Pasicki, to translate the diary into English. Once they had completed this first, literal
translation we asked Archbishop George Pearce, S.M., to re-translate portions of it in
accordance with proper English terminology for the various theological concepts and spiritual
experiences referred to throughout the diary. Archbishop Pearce was supported in this
second translation by Fathers George Kosicki, C.S.B., Gerald Farrell, M.M., Leo McCauley,
S.J., and an Oblate, Francis Bagan, O.M.I.
When this text was completed, it was given to Father Seraphim Michalenko,
M.I.C., who was Director of the Divine Mercy Department from 1979-1986. Together with
Sister Sophia Michalenko, C.M.G.T., he carefully reviewed the translation, often referring
back to the original Polish to ensure exactness of expression. Father Joseph Sielski, M.I.C.,
and Father Kazimierz Chwalek, M.I.C., were then asked to review the text, re-reading it for
authentic agreement with the Polish.
Finally, in the first part of 1987, the text was returned to the Divine Mercy
Department, [then] headed by Father George Kosicki, C.S.B. Through his efforts, the tireless
work of Sister Sophia Michalenko, C.M.G.T., and the assistance of Vincent Flynn, the diary
was subjected to a complete editing, re-typing, and proofing process for clarity of expression
and readability according to current English grammar and usage. The index, listing the main
themes of the diary, was compiled by Father Eugene Ozimek and developed by Fr. George
Kosicki and Sister Sophia. The design, composition, and mechanicals were then completed
by Charles Parise and Pat Menatti, and the diary was printed by the Marian Press at the
Marian Helpers Center. To all involved with this work, we wish to express our deepest
gratitude and the assurance of our prayers.
Since the polish diary is the official text, we have made every effort to be truly
faithful to it, and to retain the variousl shades of meaning implied in the theological and
spiritual terms used by [Saint] Faustina – a definite challenge, indeed! In translating the
diary, we dealt with the same kind of challenge that faces the translators of Sacred Scripture.
Some terms allow for a variety of expressions even though the meanings are the same, and
the final translation thus becomes a personal choice of style and expression on the part of
the translator.
For the most part, the texts that have already been published in the popular
devotional booklets are the same as those used in the diary, though in some instances, there
again may be slight differences of style and expression.
Special Features of this New English Edition
In the final editing process, inconsistencies of verb tense, capitalization, and
punctuation were standardized as much as possible without losing [Saint] Faustina‟s unique
style and powerful simplicity of expression. Our Lord‟s words to [Saint] Faustina were set in bold type for emphasis, while Our Lady‟s words were set in italics. The page numbers of
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[Saint] Faustina‟s original notebooks were also set in bold type, and paragraphs thought to
be overly long or diversified in content were split into shorter paragraph units for readability.
The footnotes, too, have been reexamined, and additional clarifying notes have
been added where necessary. Notes that were no longer pertinent, in light of changes
incorporated into the English translation, were deleted; and, wherever possible, explanatory
notes were placed in [square brackets] in the text itself to avoid unnecessary breaks in the
reading.
Our deepest hope is that this diary may truly be a vehicle of grace for all who
read it, for in reading it we can see that the mercy of God lives forever. Above, all, we hope
that all people will be struck by the truth that mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to God‟s mercy.
May each one of you experience the power of the Blood and Water that poured
out from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy, and may each of you find confidence and
trust in this ever-present mercy of God!
Gratefully in the Lord,
Very Rev. Richard J. Drabik, M.I.C.
Provincial Superior
Eden Hill, Stockbridge, Massachusetts
March 19, 1987
PREFACE
ORIGINAL PREFACE TO THE POLISH EDITION, 1981
In presenting this edition of the Dairy of [Saint] Maria Faustina Kowalska I am fully
aware that I am introducing a document of Catholic mysticism of exceptional worth, not only for the
Church in Poland, but also for the Universal Church. This publication is the critical edition, and thus
reliable. It is the work of the Postulator of Sister Faustina, under the direction of the authority of the
Archdiocese of Cracow.
The Diary, whose object is devotion to The Divine Mercy, has acquired tremendous
interest lately for two reasons:
Firstly: The Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in its revision more
than two years ago [1978], withdrew the censures and reservations advanced earlier by the Holy See inrelation to the writings of Sister Faustina. The withdrawal of the “Notification” caused the devotion to
The Divine Mercy, as presented in the Diary, to grow in renewed vitality on all continents, as is
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evidenced by the numerous testimonies received by the Postulator and the Congregation of which
Sister Faustina was a member.
Secondly: The recent encyclical of Pope John Paul II, Dives in Misericordia, happily
fixed the attention of the Church, and even of the secular world, on this most wonderful attribute of
God and extraordinary aspect of the economy of salvation, which is The Divine Mercy.
A comprehensive study in order to indicate the affinity of ideas found in the Diary of[Saint] Maria Faustina and this encyclical (not to mention their probably interdependence) would be
most welcome. These salient points certainly are numerous, for they draw their inspiration from the
same source; namely, from the revelation of God and the teaching of Christ.
Furthermore, they come from the same spiritual environment, from Cracow, the city
which, as far as I know, possesses the oldest church dedicated to the honor of The Divine Mercy. It is
likewise necessary to stress that it was Karol Cardinal Wojtyla, the Archbishop of Cracow at that time,
who made efforts to begin The Process of Beatification of Sister Faustina Kowalska and did
inaugurate that process.
In this light, the Diary of [Saint] Maria Faustina took on exceptional meaning for
Catholic spirituality; and that is why it was fitting to prepare a credible edition, in order to prevent the
distortion of the text by persons who perhaps are acting in good faith, but who are not adequately
prepared for such work. Thus, publications containing differences and even contradictions, such as
took place with the spiritual diary of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, The Story of a Soul, can be
avoided.
The reader, after just a superficial skimming of the Diary, may be struck by the
simplicity of the language and even by the spelling and stylistic errors, but he should not forget that
the author of the Diary had but a limited elementary education. The theology alone which is found in
the Diary awakens in the reader a conviction of its uniqueness; and if one considers the contrastbetween [Saint] Faustina’s education and the loftiness of her theology, the contrast alone indicates the
special influence of Divine Grace.
I would like to mention here my meeting with a well-known contemporary mystic, Sister Speranza, who in Collevalenza, not far from Todi [Italy], founded the sanctuary of “The Most Merciful Love,” the site of numerous pilgrimages. I asked Sister Speranza whether she had heard of
the writings of Sister Faustina and what she thought of them. She answered me with simplicity: “The
writings contain a wonderful teaching, but reading them one must remember that God speaks to
philosophers in the language of philosophers and to simple souls in the language of simple ones, andonly to these last does He reveal truths hidden from the wise and prudent of this world.”
To conclude this preface, permit me to mention yet one more personal recollection
from the year 1952, when for the first time I took part in a solemn beatification ceremony in St. Peter’sBasilica. After the festivity, I was asked by some person who also participated, “Who exactly was this blessed one?” The question embarrassed me very much, because at the moment I could not recall who
those blessed were, although I knew full well that the real purpose of a beatification is to present to the
people of God a model to consider and imitate in their lives.
Among the candidates for beatification and canonization Poland has presently two
persons familiar to the whole world which knows who they are, what they accomplished in their
lifetime and what sort of message their lives proclaim. They are Blessed [now Saint] Maximilian
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Kolbe, the martyr of love, and Sister [now Saint] Faustina Kowalska, the Apostle of The Divine
Mercy.
Rome, December 20, 1980
+ Andrew M. Deskur
Titular Archbishop of Tene
