Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy in Krakow Lagiewniki

Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy in Krakow Lagiewniki is a very important place for the divine mercy cult. Above all, it is closely connected with the life of saint Faustyna Kowalska and the famous Divine Mercy Painting. It consists of complex of the beautiful, neo-Gothic, monastic buildings of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.  It also includes the modern, Roman Catholic Basilica, canonized by John Paul II in 2002. This ellipsoidal building has two levels and it can accommodate up to 5000 people. It also has the 77-meter-high viewing tower and together with the main building resembles a big boat.  The cemetery, that lays next to the Basilica, is the place where Faustyna Kowalska was originally buried.

Since the remains of Sister Faustyna were moved to the Basilica, it became very famous place around the world. Thanks to the Divine Mercy Sanctuary Krakow is the destination for plenty of pilgrims every year. Furthermore, the shrine also hosted two popes – John II and then Benedict XVI. The Sanctuary is certainly one of the most important centers of the development of the Worship of Divine Mercy in Poland.

DIVINE MERCY PAINTING

One of the things, that the Sanctuary is famous for, is the Divine Mercy Icon. It’s the most popular image of the Mercy Jesus in the world and is located in the Saint Joseph Chapel. It was painted in 1994 by Adolf Hyla, according to the revelation of Saint Faustyna. She was the nun, mystic and an author of the diary, later published as “The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul“. Faustyna described her vision of Jesus who appeared to her as the “King of Divine Mercy” in 1931, while she was in her cell. The Divine Mercy painting depicts Jesus with two rays streaming out of his heart. They have a symbolic meaning: the red one represents the blood of Jesus (life of souls) and the white one represents the water (justification of souls).

At present, the copies of the Divine Mercy icon are widely distributed around the world. They often contain the printed message : “Jesus, I trust in You”. These words remind about the importance of the catholic trust in the divine mercy of Jesus. Since Faustyna Kowalska was beatified by John Paul II in 1993, her relics rest on the side altar, under the Divine Mercy painting.

REGULAR HOLY MASSES IN KRAKOW LAGIEWNIKI

You can participate in the holy masses in the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy every day.

Additionally, every day at 3:00 pm there is the Chaplet of Divine Mercy – an extremely important pray for the worshipers of the divine mercy. It is transmitted in the Polish Tv Milosierdzie and  radio Milosierdzie as well.

During the period of the Lent you can participate in the Way of the Cross celebration in the Basilica. It starts at 4:00 pm on every Friday.

SANCTUARY OF THE DIVINE MERCY – HOW TO GET THERE

The Divine Mercy Shrine lays in the Krakow Lagiewniki quarter at Siostry Fautyny street. It’s around 10 km from the city center and you can easily get there by the public transport.

The trams no. 19, 22 and 78 (direction – Borek Fałęcki) will take you directly to the Divine Mercy Sanctuary stop. From the Main Station stop (in the city center) you will need around 30 min to get there.

The Sanctuary is situated on the Siostry Faustyny street, right next to the train station Krakow Lagiewniki. There is also the parking space for the passenger cars available.

OTHER OBJECTS IN THE DIVINE MERCY SANCTUARY

There is also a possibility to book an accommodation in the “Saint Faustyna House”, located in the monastery complex. The restaurant in the hotel is open for everyone and it can seat organized groups up to 300 guests. Opening hours of the restaurant:

9:00 am – 7:00 pm (April – October)

10:00 am – 5:00 pm (November – March)

You can also visit the Divine Mercy shrine Poland gift shop.  It has plenty of different souvenirs such as: images of Jesus and other saints, books, rosaries, copies of the “Diary” by Saint Faustyna.

Additionally, in the information point you’ll find out about the current schedule of the holy masses and celebrations in the Divine Mercy house.

MAP