The first picture of the merciful Jesus
The first painting with the image of Merciful Jesus, which is known in some places as the Vilnius painting (Vilnius)was painted in that place, by Eugenio Kazimirowski, in the year 1934 (1893-1939).
The origin of the image
On February 22, 1931, Jesus appeared to Sister Faustina and asked her to have an image of him made. The young nun had to experience the lack of understanding of her superiors for the first time, until the moment in which she met Father Michael Sopocko in Vilnia (Lithuania), after being sent there as a gardener, with the Sisters of the Visitation, in 1933.
It was precisely this priest, chaplain of the convent and confessor of Sister Faustina, who found the painter to make the painting. It was Eugenio Kazimirowski, a neighbor of Father Sopocko, who was a Polish student at the time.
Santa Faustina met him for the first time on January 2, 1934 on the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and every week, for about six months, she went to see the painter to give him instructions and corrections on the work he was doing.
Frame Description
The painting responds precisely to Jesus’ request, since it appeared to him as He wanted to be painted.
Christ explained to Saint Faustina the meaning of each detail: his position indicates that he approaches whoever contemplates the image. The most intense light comes from the heart and the light on the forehead indicates the presence of the Father. His right hand blesses him and his left hand presents his open heart, from which two rays of light emerge. “The two rays signify the Blood and the Water”, Jesus explained to Saint Faustina, “The pale ray symbolizes the Water that justifies souls. The red ray symbolizes the Blood that is the life of souls…Both rays sprouted from the deepest bowels of My mercy when My dying heart was opened on the cross by the spear. Blessed is he who lives in their shadow because the just hand of God will not reach him” (Diary 299).
In the painting, you can see that Jesus is looking down. Christ explains this: “My look in this image is equal to the look from the cross” (Journal, 326)
Despite her efforts, the image disappointed Sister Faustina, who asked Jesus: “Who will paint you as beautiful as you are?” Then he heard these words: “Not in the beauty of the color, nor in that of the brush, is the greatness of this image, but in My grace” (Diary, 313)”
The inscription “Jesus in whom I trust” is an essential element of the picture, and Jesus does not fail to remind Faustina of its importance. In fact, trust is the attitude that Jesus expects to pour the treasures of his mercy into the heart of each person.
The story of the painting
The painting was first exhibited for public veneration, thanks to the Blessed Miguel Sopocko, from April 26 to 28, 1935. This happened in the Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy, in the presence of Sister Faustina. To tell the truth, that day she was very happy to see the Lord’s requests fulfilled in this way, and to hear Father Sopocko give a sermon on Divine Mercy; this would be the first of many that Jesus had been asking for for some time. Regarding this event, she testified to the following: “For three days the image was exposed to the public, and received public veneration because it had been placed in the Puerta de la Aurora, in a window, high up, so it could be seen from far away. During those three days at the Gate of Dawn, the closing of the Jubilee of the Redemption of the World, the 19th centenary of the Passion of the Savior, was solemnly celebrated. Now I see that the work of Redemption is linked to the work of mercy demanded by the Lord” (Diary, 89).
During the Soviet period, the image was hidden in Belarus (from 1956 to 1986). In 2005, after being restored, it was placed in the Trinity Church in Vilnius, where it currently stands.
The words of Jesus on the painting
In her diary, Faustina relates the following promises of christ: “I promise that the soul that venerates this painting will not be lost. I already promise victory over enemies here on earth, and above all, at the hour of death I will defend it as my glory.” (Diary 47).
Jesus also said: “Through this image I will fill the souls with many graces, that is why I want each soul to have access to it.” (Diary 570).
Jesus illustrated this image: “I offer men a container with which they have to come to the Fountain of Mercy to collect graces. That container is this image with the inscription: Jesus, I trust in you.
The second image of the merciful Jesus
The second image that enjoys great fame throughout the world was painted in 1943 in Krakow-Lagiewniki by Adolfo Hyla. This man painted the image to offer it to the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, as part of an outstanding promise he had with Merciful Jesus: he wanted to thank the Lord for having saved his family during World War II. To carry out this magnificent work, the painter followed the model of the first painting, while giving free rein to his inspiration.
The painting was placed in the Church of the Sacred Heart in Wroclaw. Subsequently, the painter had to make a second identical image with the original dimensions. In fact, this image is the one currently on the chapel of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Krakowa place where the relics of Saint Faustina.
In addition, there are other Merciful Jesus imagesall made according to the model of the first.
To tell the truth, the spread of Saint Faustina’s messagethe fact that more and more of his writings were read and the actions carried out throughout the world to make known the message of divine mercy gave to the image the world influence that you have today.
In fact, on the internet you can also order the Merciful Jesus image Y the image of Divine Mercywith the prayer that contains the back.
You should know that the image of Merciful Jesus it is one of the five main means that Jesus gave to Saint Faustina to enter into his mercy and receive his graces. These means also include various devotions such as the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Divine Mercy Novena, the Hour of Mercy, and the Feast of Mercy.