Faustina Canonized: Divine Mercy Sunday Begins
Pope John Paul II canonized the Polish nun Faustina Kowalska before 200,000 pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, simultaneously establishing the first worldwide celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday on the Catholic liturgical calendar. Kowalska's mystical diary describing visions of Christ's mercy had been banned by the Vatican for twenty years before her cause was reopened. Her canonization reflected John Paul II's personal devotion to the Divine Mercy message that had originated in his native Poland.
April 30, 2000
26 years ago
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