INSTITUTE OF DIVINE MERCY
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We are a female lay institute of consecrated life operating in Poland, Brazil, the USA, Italy and Ukraine.

We do not live together but remain in our own environments trying to change the world from the inside with our daily prayer, work, attitude and testimony. All women who feel the vocation for consecrated life, but at the same time intend to carry on living and working in the secular world, staying in touch with their families are invited to have a look at our mission and the way we live.

What makes the Institute of Divine Mercy special?

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Our Patron Saint is Mother of Mercy as well as Saint Sister Faustina Kowalska.

Our founder is Blessed Fr. Michael Sopoćko - a confessor of St. Faustina, the cofounder is Ludmiła Roszko - a spiritual daughter of Blessed Fr. Michael Sopoćko.

Our mission is to plead for mercy for the world, worship Divine Mercy with prayer, proclaim and promote the worship of Divine Mercy and exercise mercy through deeds.

We pray daily the Chaplet of Divine Mercy especially for priests, consecrated people, the dying, the terminally ill, souls in Purgatory and impenitent sinners.

The Institute’s main concern is the conversion of sinners and the salvation of all souls. We derive our spiritual power from faith and trust in Lord, which is expressed by the invocation:

"JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU"

In our life we follow Jesus of Mercy, contemplating His image deep in our hearts.

Widows or married women can also become part of the institute as affiliates who follow some written rules in their daily life.

How do we live ?

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We do jobs of our choice. We remain in our own environments.

We do not wear any visible symbols. Our consecration is hidden from the world and we keep it discreet even from our close relatives.

People should be attracted by our kindness, love, warm-heartedness, open and friendly attitude.

We meet the whole community once a year for a one-week spiritual retreat. Once a month we attend a day of prayer in small groups. We may be parted by a long distance, however, we have a close spiritual relationship with all members of the Institute.

The center of our spiritual life is the Eucharist, reading the Bible and individual prayer.

We vow to live in accordance with the evangelical counsels: chastity, poverty and obedience.

Our patrons and founders

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Patron Saint of the Institute of Divine Mercy

Saint Faustina Kowalska

You are the secretary of My mercy. I have chosen you for that office in this life and the next. (Diary of Saint Faustina, 1605)

My daughter, secretary of My mercy, your duty is not only to write about and proclaim My mercy, but also to beg for this grace for them, so that they too may glorify My mercy. (Diary of Saint Faustina, 1160)

You and your companions shall obtain mercy for yourselves and for the world. (Diary of Saint Faustina, 435)

Through your prayers, you shall mediate between heaven and earth. (Diary of Saint Faustina, 438)

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Confessor of St. Faustina; the founder of the Institute

Blessed Michael Sopoćko

He is a priest after My own Heart; his efforts are pleasing to Me. (…) Through him I spread comfort to suffering and careworn souls. Through him it pleased Me to proclaim the worship of My mercy. And through this work of mercy more souls will come close to Me than otherwise would have, even if he had kept giving absolution day and night for the rest of his life, because by so doing, he would have labored only for as long as he lived; whereas, thanks to this work of mercy, he will be laboring till the end of the world. (Diary of Saint Faustina, 1256)

His thought is closely united to Mine, so be at peace about My work. I will not let him make a mistake (...).(Diary of Saint Faustina, 1408)



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The main Patron Saint, to whom the Institute is committed.

Mother of Mercy

The main Patron Saint, to whom the Institute is committed. At the beginning of the preliminary formation each of us entrusts their vocation to Most Holy Virgin Mary and it is in union with Her that we carry out all activities of the Institute.

I am Mother to you all, thanks to the unfathomable mercy of God. Most pleasing to Me is the soul which faithfully carries out the will of God. (...) Be courageous. Do not fear apparent obstacles, but fix your gaze upon the Passion of My Son, and in this way you will be victorious. (Diary of Saint Faustina, 449)

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Your lives must be like Mine: quiet and hidden, in unceasing union with God, pleading for humanity and preparing the world for the second coming of God. (Diary of Saint Faustina, 625)

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Cofounder of the Institute of Divine Mercy; a spiritual daughter of Blessed Fr. Michael Sopoćko; the first president of the Institute of Divine Mercy

Ludmiła Roszko

There are souls living in the world who love Me dearly. I dwell in their hearts with delight. But they are few. (...) They are a defense for the world before the justice of the Heavenly Father and a means of obtaining mercy for the world. (Diary of Saint Faustina, 367)

Chosen souls are, in My hand, light which I cast into the darkness of the world and with which I illuminate it. As stars illuminate the night, so chosen souls illuminate the earth. And the more perfect a soul is, the stronger and the more far-reaching is the light shed by it. It can be hidden and unknown, even in those closest to it, and yet its holiness is reflected in souls even to the most distant extremities of the world. (Diary of Saint Faustina, 1601)

Our spirituality

The spirituality of the Institute is based on:

  • Jesus's proclamation of Divine Mercy described in Diary of Saint Faustina
  • Blessed Michael Sopoćko's writings
  • Teachings on Divine Mercy by Pope John Paul II; Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis

The announcement of an extraordinary Jubilee – the Holy Year of Mercy, 2016 is a confirmation of the importance of our mission.

I bear a special love for Poland, and if she will be obedient to My will, I will exalt her in might and holiness. From her will come forth the spark that will prepare the world for My final coming. (Diary of Saint Faustina, 1601)

There are numerous graces and promises connected with the proclamation of Divine Mercy, most of which are linked to the Image of the Merciful Jesus as well as the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.


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The Image of the Merciful Jesus by E.Kazimirowski

Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and throughout the world. (Diary of Saint Faustina, 47)

"Who will paint You as beautiful as You are?"(...) Not in the beauty of the color, nor of the brush lies the greatness of this image, but in My grace. (Diary of Saint Faustina, 313)

I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. (...) I Myself will defend it in My own glory. (Diary of Saint Faustina, 48)

I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of mercy. This vessel is this image with the signature:"Jesus,I trust in You" (Diary of Saint Faustina, 327)

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The Chaplet, Novena

Say unceasingly the chaplet that I have taught you. Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. (...) I desire that the whole world know My infinite mercy. I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those who trust in My mercy.(Diary of Saint Faustina, 687)

I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the fountain of My mercy, that they may draw therefrom strength and refreshment and whatever grace they need in the hardships of life, and especially at the hour of death. (Diary of Saint Faustina, 1209)