SAINT FAUSTINA KOWALSKA
Saint Maria Faustina By Edward Matulanya Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938) Saint Maria FAUSTINA Kowalska, commonly known as Saint Faustina. Early Life Birth and Family Background: Helena Kowalska was born on August 25, 1905, in Głogowiec, Poland, to Stanisław and Marianna Kowalski. She was the third of ten children in a devout Catholic family (Catholic Online, n.d.). Religious Calling: From age 7, Helena felt a strong calling to religious life, confirmed during her First Holy Communion at age 9. Despite her wish to join a convent, her parents initially opposed it due to financial constraints (Catholic Online, n.d.; Franciscan Media, n.d.). Religious Vocation Joining the Convent: In 1925, at age 20, Helena entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Warsaw, taking the religious name Sister Maria Faustina of the Blessed Sacrament (The Divine Mercy, n.d.). Early Assignments She served in various convents performing humble tasks like cooking, ga...