Pope John Paul II: Spark from Poland

In an article featured at Spirit Daily this morning entitled "Pope John Paul & Saint Maria Faustina," Michael K. Jones writes, "'Divine Mercy In My Soul,' Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. Sister Faustina heard these words as she prayed for Poland; "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."Notebook VI 1732

Question for the reader: Could this sentence have anything to do with His Holiness Pope John Paul II? "...From her (Poland) will come forth the spark that will prepare the world for My final coming."

Karol Wojtyla (John Paul) was born in Wadowice, Poland, where later he moved to Krakow begining his journey in the priesthood. Five years after his birth, Helena Kowalska from Glogowiec, Poland applied for the second time to the "Congregation of The Sister's of Our Lady of Charity" on August 1, 1925. This time she was accepted. She was nearly 20 at this time. After completing her postulancy she received her veil, and on April 30, 1926 she received her habit and her name in religion. From now on Helena would bear the name of,

Sister Mary Faustina.

Sister Faustina began to have a number of religious experiences far from what one might consider the norm. Having mentioned these unusual occurrences to her spiritual advisors, (Rev. M. Sopocko and Fr. J. Andrasz, S.J.) Sister was instructed to keep a diary of these events. In the coming years Mary Faustina would receive many visitations from Heavenly Hosts. During some of these visitations Sister Faustina was instructed by Jesus for a devotional painting which today we call the "Image of Divine Mercy." Sister was also instructed with rosaries prayers known as the "Chaplet of Divine Mercy."

An artist was hired to work with Faustina to paint the image of Mercy. Though Faustina was never really happy with the image the final painting was considered finished. For a time this devotional was widely accepted. During this time is when Cardinal Karol Wojtyla (John Paul) heard of Sister Faustina and he believed in this attentiveness. Sad to say the Pope elect at that time did not believe in the Chaplet or the image of Divine Mercy and thus they were removed from all church devotions.

When Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was elected Pope John Paul II, he renewed interest in the Divine Mercy devotionals. With this renewed interest, the diaries of Sister Faustina were published in Polish and later published in English in 1987. To read "Divine Mercy In My Soul" is an undertaking, it totals 697 pages. However, it is one of the most moving and inspirational books I have ever read.

On March 10, 2000 the Vatican announced that Polish nun, Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska would be canonized on April 30, 2000. The canonization took place as stated at, St. Peter's in Rome. The event also was joyously held at the National Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, MA. USA. Our beloved Pope, John Paul announced during the canonization in Rome that from now on the second Sunday of Easter is declared "Mercy Sunday."

On the evening of April 2, 2005 John Paul was near death. The next day was Divine Mercy Sunday. The usual vespers for the preparations of the "Divine Mercy" had started when John Paul passed away at 9:37, Rome time. There is no question that one of the greatest missions of John Paul was to bring back this awesome devotion. It is therefore fitting that he should pass away during the vespers in preparation of Divine Mercy Sunday. I believe without the Mercy of God there is no hope for this world. I personally remain convinced that John Paul's greatest mission was to place the Mercy of God, in the hands of much needed sinners.

Reference source: Diary of Sister M. Faustina Kowalska, Notebook III, 1209-1330, (57-66).

Jesus said to Sister Faustina, "Encourage souls to place great trust in My fathomless mercy. Let the weak, sinful soul have no fear to approach Me, for even if it had more sins than there are grains of sand in the world, all would be drowned in the unmeasurable depths of My mercy."

Is it just possible that Sister Faustina worte of John Paul in Notebook VI when she wrote the words she heard while praying for Poland, ""...From her (Poland) will come forth the spark that will prepare the world for My final coming."

There is no proof positive that this is what was meant by these words but certainly it would seem that John Paul would be a very reasonable possibility to this writing in Saint Faustina's diary."


In a post which I wrote two years ago and which may be found here, I said: "While St. Faustina was in prayer, she heard Our Lord say to her, "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." And what is this "spark from Poland"? Pope John Paul II of course. A Pope who was a true mystic consecrated entirely [Totus Tuus] to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Mother of Mercy. Recall the first words of his pontificate: "Open wide the doors to Christ."


Pope John Paul II's pontificate was a very real preparation for Our Lord's final coming. Recall his words, "We are now facing the final confrontation between the Church and the anti-Church, of the Gospel and the anti-Gospel… It is a trial which the whole Church . . . must take up." (November 9, 1978, issue of The Wall Street Journal).

There are scoffers. There are people who believe this holy Pontiff, this true mystic, was wrong. But was he? Do we not see (if we are honest) the signs of death and decay throughout our world? A world which has grown tired of striving to be holy?

Now, more than ever, we must have recourse to the Divine Mercy. We must open wide the doors of our hearts to His Mercy. If not, we will face His Justice."

When Pope John Paul II went to be with the Lord, my mother and I purchased a floral arrangement with a gold banner which read "Spark from Poland."  We brought this arrangement to the Precious Blood Monastery in Manchester, New Hampshire along with a card explaining this mystical passage.  I believed then as I believe now that Karol Wojtyla - Pope John Paul II - was the Pope selected by the Lord Jesus to prepare us for His Second Coming.