THE IMAGES OF MERCIFUL JESUS
in Lagiewniki, Cracow
In 1943 – ten years after the first image of Merciful Jesus had been painted in Vilnius (Lithuania) and five years after the death of Sister Faustina in Cracow – an artist, Adolf Hyla, contacted
the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. He wanted to paint a picture which he
would offer for the convent’s chapel as a votive offering for saving his family during the war.
– a reproduction of the first picture painted by Kazimirowski in collaboration with sister Faustina. They also provided him with a description of the image given in St Faustina’s DIARY.
The artist, however, painted the image by his own design. As it did not fit the chapel’s altar
in terms of size, Mother Irena Krzyzanowska ordered a second picture, which was consecrated
in 1944 and placed in the convent’s chapel in Cracow, where is has been worshipped ever since.
The picture represents the figure of Merciful Jesus with a meadow and some bushes
in the background. After an intervention of Fr Sopocko, the background was painted dark,
and a floor was added under Jesus’ feet.
The picture which was offered by Adolf Hyla as a votive offering was placed in the Sacred
Heart Church in Wrocław. The church adjoins the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.
(See footnotes to St Faustina’s DIARY p. 487; 488; 495)
After the end of World War II (1939-1945), the first image of Merciful Jesus painted in Vilnius
by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski in collaboration with sister Faustina was taken to the USSR,
where the Catholics were severely persecuted and thousands of people had to hide the fact
that they believed in God. The picture and its extraordinary story were kept secret, too.
The fact that another image became hugely popular in Poland may have been an act
of the Providence which took the focus of attention off the miraculous “Holy Image” (as it was called by John Paul II in Vilnius in 1993), for at that time there was no other way of saving it.
Multiple conservation works and repainting also hid the artistic value of the picture for many years. A paraffin layer that was put on by one of the conservators, which largely protected the painting from moisture, in the course of time altered the original hues.
After a thorough conservation, in 2003 the painting regained its clarity. The subtle figure
of the Merciful Saviour against a dark background directs the attention of the praying people
to the rays of mercy emanating from the Heart which was opened on the cross.
"These two rays issued forth from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross" (Diary, 299).
"I saw two rays coming out from the Host, as in the image,
closely united but not intermingled..." (Diary, 344).
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The image painted in St Faustina’s presence (Eugeniusz Kazimirowski, Vilnius 1934). |
The image painted after St Faustina’s death (Adolf Hyla, Cracow, 1944). |
The image painted by Adolf Hyla has doubtlessly been a significant contribution
to the development of the cult of Divine Mercy, which is confirmed by the testimonies
of those who have received numerous graces through its intercession. It has not, however, diminished the popularity of the first image painted in Vilnius according to the exact instructions provided by the Lord Jesus. The picture is exposed in a place of honour, on the high altar
of the Divine Mercy Shrine in Vilnius, where it is worshipped by prayers of the Sisters and pilgrims. (see
Image)
"My gaze from this image is like My gaze from the cross" (Diary, 326).
"Today I saw the glory of God which flows from the image. Many souls are receiving graces, although they do not speak of it openly. Even though it has met up with all sorts of vicissitudes, God is receiving glory because of it; and the efforts of Satan and of evil men are shattered and come to naught. In spite of Satan’s anger, the Divine Mercy will triumph over the whole world and will be worshiped by all souls"
(Diary, 1789).
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