Divine Mercy Sanctuary (Krakow)
Encyclopedia
The Divine Mercy
Sanctuary in Kraków
, Poland
is a Roman Catholic basilica
dedicated to the Divine Mercy devotion, as the resting place of Saint Faustina Kowalska.
The new basilica was built between 1999–2002, and is located in the District of Łagiewniki at ul. św. Faustyny street. Two Pope
s have visited the shrine and millions of pilgrims from around the world continue to visit it every year.
(founded in 1862), which was designed by Charles Zaremba and was built between 1889–1891. In 1966, the remains of Sister Faustina were moved to the church. In 1968 Cardinal Karol Wojtyla (later Pope John Paul II) designated the church as a shrine, thanks to the remains of Sister Faustina.
In 1985, Pope John Paul II called Lagiewniki the "capital of the Divine Mercy devotion". Since the beatification of Saint Faustina in 1993, her remains rest on the altar, below the image of Divine Mercy.
The basilica can accommodate abut 5,000 people and the main chapel has about 1,800 seats. The altar in the main sanctuary houses the Divine Mercy painting and relics of Saint Faustina. The image above the main altar was painted by Adolph Hyla in 1944, and replaces the first image Hyla painted in 1943 as a votive offering for surviving during World War II
. The image and the basilica are a major pilgrimage site and in 2011 the basilica received around 2 million pilgrims from around the world.
The lower level of the church has a central a chapel dedicated to Saint Faustina, with four side chapels. The the upper part of the basilica has free-standing post-modern Chapel of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
. On June 24, 2007, on the 60th anniversary of Operation Vistula, the Basilica opened a Greek Catholic chapel dedicated to reconciliation, and as a gift to the Greek Catholic Church.
reported a healing. Digan had suffered from Lymphedema
for decades, and had undergone 10 operations, including a leg amputation. Digan reported that while praying to Faustina, she heard a voice saying "ask for my help and I will help you" and her constant pain stopped.
Upon her return to the US, five Boston area physicians stated that she was healed (with no explanation). Digan's healing was declared miraculous by the Vatican in 1992, and paved the way for the beatification
of Faustina Kowalska.
In May 2006, Benedict XVI visited the chapel, and a second relief commemorates that. During the 2006 pilgrimage by Pope Benedict XVI, he unveiled a statue of Pope John Paul II at the observation tower at the basilica, as the seventh sculpture of John Paul II in Kraków.
Divine Mercy
The Divine Mercy is a Roman Catholic devotion to the merciful love of God and the desire to let that love and mercy flow through one's own heart towards those in need of it...
Sanctuary in Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
is a Roman Catholic basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
dedicated to the Divine Mercy devotion, as the resting place of Saint Faustina Kowalska.
The new basilica was built between 1999–2002, and is located in the District of Łagiewniki at ul. św. Faustyny street. Two Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
s have visited the shrine and millions of pilgrims from around the world continue to visit it every year.
History
The site of the building originally housed the neo-Gothic monastery complex of the Sisters of Our Lady of MercyCongregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy
The Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy , - was founded by Mother Teresa Eva Potocka in Warsaw, Poland on November 1, 1862.This was the first "Mercy House"...
(founded in 1862), which was designed by Charles Zaremba and was built between 1889–1891. In 1966, the remains of Sister Faustina were moved to the church. In 1968 Cardinal Karol Wojtyla (later Pope John Paul II) designated the church as a shrine, thanks to the remains of Sister Faustina.
In 1985, Pope John Paul II called Lagiewniki the "capital of the Divine Mercy devotion". Since the beatification of Saint Faustina in 1993, her remains rest on the altar, below the image of Divine Mercy.
Interior design and architectural form of the Basilica
In 1999–2002, a modern two-story, ellipsoidal basilica, specifically devoted to the Divine Mercy was built. The building was designed to resemble a boat, and has a 77-meter high observation tower that resembles a mast.The basilica can accommodate abut 5,000 people and the main chapel has about 1,800 seats. The altar in the main sanctuary houses the Divine Mercy painting and relics of Saint Faustina. The image above the main altar was painted by Adolph Hyla in 1944, and replaces the first image Hyla painted in 1943 as a votive offering for surviving during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The image and the basilica are a major pilgrimage site and in 2011 the basilica received around 2 million pilgrims from around the world.
The lower level of the church has a central a chapel dedicated to Saint Faustina, with four side chapels. The the upper part of the basilica has free-standing post-modern Chapel of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Eucharistic adoration
Eucharistic adoration is a practice in the Roman Catholic Church, and in a few Anglican and Lutheran churches, in which the Blessed Sacrament is exposed to and adored by the faithful....
. On June 24, 2007, on the 60th anniversary of Operation Vistula, the Basilica opened a Greek Catholic chapel dedicated to reconciliation, and as a gift to the Greek Catholic Church.
Report of miracle
In March 1981, while praying to Faustina at the church, Maureen Digan of MassachusettsMassachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
reported a healing. Digan had suffered from Lymphedema
Lymphedema
Lymphedema , also known as lymphatic obstruction, is a condition of localized fluid retention and tissue swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system....
for decades, and had undergone 10 operations, including a leg amputation. Digan reported that while praying to Faustina, she heard a voice saying "ask for my help and I will help you" and her constant pain stopped.
Upon her return to the US, five Boston area physicians stated that she was healed (with no explanation). Digan's healing was declared miraculous by the Vatican in 1992, and paved the way for the beatification
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
of Faustina Kowalska.
Papal visits
On June 17, 1997 Pope John Paul II visited the church to pray at the tomb of Saint Faustina - an event commemorated by a relief at the entrance to the chapel.In May 2006, Benedict XVI visited the chapel, and a second relief commemorates that. During the 2006 pilgrimage by Pope Benedict XVI, he unveiled a statue of Pope John Paul II at the observation tower at the basilica, as the seventh sculpture of John Paul II in Kraków.
See also
- Divine Mercy Sanctuary (Plock)Divine Mercy Sanctuary (Plock)The Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Plock, Poland is a Roman Catholic chapel dedicated to the Divine Mercy devotion, originated by Saint Faustina Kowalska.Plock is where Faustina reported some of her early visions....
- Divine Mercy Sanctuary (Vilnius)Divine Mercy Sanctuary (Vilnius)The Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Vilnius, Lithuania is a Roman Catholic shrine dedicated to the Divine Mercy devotion, originated by Saint Faustina Kowalska.-See also:* Divine Mercy Sanctuary * Divine Mercy Sanctuary...
- Divine Mercy Shrine (Misamis Oriental)Divine Mercy Shrine (Misamis Oriental)The Divine Mercy Shrine in Misamis Oriental, Phillipines is located in Divine Mercy Hills, overlooking Macajalar Bay on the Mindanao island, southern part of the Philippines....
- National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, PhilippinesNational Shrine of The Divine Mercy, PhilippinesThe National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Marilao, Bulacan, is the major church dedicated to Divine Mercy in the Philippines...
- National Shrine of The Divine Mercy (Stockbridge, Massachusetts)