Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska became a nun April 30, 1926. February 22, 1931 she sees a vision of the Lord Jesus, who tells her "Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and then throughtout the world. I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory."

"The two rays denote Blood and Water. The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls...

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.

These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father. Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter; for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him."

Sister Maria writes of her experiences of conversations with Jesus in her diary. The dialogue she has with Jesus is a powerful reminder of how close Jesus is to our lives and how much he wants us to turn to him.

In addition to the painting, he instructs her to recite the prayer now known as The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy. Jesus also said that the first Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Mercy. On April 30, 2000 Pope John Paul II states, "The Second Sunday of Easter from now on throughout the Church will be called "Divine Mercy Sunday."