Sister Faustina Kowalska: Her LIfe and MIssion

ing and lack of streng th , she did not b reak off her decision made in the re trea t: to become a saint. Many recollections of h e r S isters in religion, from the period a t the end of h e r life, b ea r w itness to th is. In th e ir recollections, she appeared rem arkab ly self-controlled in th e m idst of pain, although she would not agree to take painkillers; for everyone she had a smile on h e r face, as if to smile in those circumstances gave h e r no effort; she awaited death not only with confidence, bu t with longing. S ister Crescentia, who saw h e r a few days before she died, remembers: "She was very ugly, very worn out, a real skeleton. She was breathing heavily. - S ister dear, you are not a fra id o f d ea th? -Why should I be? - she answered and moved strongly on her bed, becoming lively. - A l l my sins and imperfections will be consumed like straw in the fire o f the Divine Mercy." S ister S. has a s im ilar story: "During her last illness when I asked her i f she knew she was seriously ill a n d would not get better, she sa id very peacefully, "I hasten on to the other world, to God. alone,"I know." When I asked her i f she were not afraid o f death, she answered w ith a smile, as i f she was looking into eternity, "I only trust in the Divine Mercy"." S ister R. adds: "A few days before she died, she wrote me a few words o f farewell: "I feel tha t the end o f my life is near, I do not fear death, I am going to meet my Bridegroom"." (Archives of S.F., Recollections). All the recollections of the s isters agree in the ir assessm en t of the a tt i tu d e and behaviour of S ister 373