In Part 2, I explored the early years of Alicja’s professional career and the era of religious awakening in Poland—a movement that profoundly shaped both her life and the lives of millions of Poles. I intentionally set aside the regrettable reality that, for many at the time, membership in the Communist Party was a condition for career advancement or travel abroad, as well as the spiritual setbacks that accompanied it. Instead, I focused on the spiritual act of offering her life for her brother.
Our second subject, Helena, overcame family, financial, and spiritual obstacles to enter the convent. There, taking the name Sister Faustina and practicing the Evangelical Counsels with radical fervour, she progressed rapidly on her way to holiness.
Helena: Miracle of Roses
In Lagiewniki, during her novitiate (1926-1928), a well-known incident occurred which was later recorded in her writings. Sister Faustina struggled with the task of draining the potatoes; the pots were massive and heavy, as meals were prepared for upwards of 160 persons. Mother Directress reassured the young sister that she would “acquire the skill in time,” yet the difficulty persisted. Frequently, the potatoes would spill out of the pot.
Utterly spent, she turned to the Lord, lamenting her lack of strength. In response, she heard these words: “From today on you will do this easily. I shall strengthen you” (Diary, 65). Trusting in His word, when the time came to drain the pots, she found she could do so with ease. Upon removing the lid to allow the steam to escape, she beheld within the pot bunches of red roses and heard an interior voice say: “I change such hard work of yours into bouquets of beautiful flowers, and their perfume rises up to My throne” (Diary, 65).
The witness to this episode was Sister Regina, who observed the ease with which the novice handled the heavy vessels and the expression of mild astonishment upon her face. The true nature of what had transpired, however, she only discovered years later after reading the Diary.
Alicja: Gift of Detachment
Having discovered Jesus during her religious retreat as her greatest Treasure, Alicja underwent a radical transformation of life. On the advice of her spiritual director, Alicja first sold her color television, donating the proceeds to charity. The sum of over five hundred—the entirety of her foreign currency account—she gave to a sick child. Soon, other possessions followed: her stamp collection and travel photographs, which she felt needlessly drew her thoughts back to the past, were given away. Her time, strength, and remaining resources were devoted to the service of God and neighbor.
The ailments and hardships of daily life she offered to Jesus as acts of reparation for her own sins and those of the world. The Lord also called her to a life of total abstinence. In time, Alicja’s devotional life was enriched by the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Chaplet of the Holy Wounds. Among her most cherished intercessors were St. Faustina, Bl. Karolina Kozka, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. John of the Cross, and St. Padre Pio.
Called to a holy intentionality in every hour, Alicja received regular instructions from the Lord:
“There should be no idle time. Time should not be filled with trifles. One should not be preoccupied with oneself, nor with others in matters that do not enrich the soul. There should be no pointless conversation or thoughts.” (August 27, 1989)
“When you begin the day, begin with the desire to offer it up to Me. Offer up that which is your constant intention—the intention of the day, of the moment. Offer up all whom you will meet, and everything that is to come.” (August 28, 1989)
Helena: Invisible Sister
Back to Sr. Faustina. One winter day, when there was no work in the garden, Sister Faustina spent more time in her cell. The entire house went in search of her, as she was suddenly needed for some matter. The Mother Superior herself began to grow anxious about where she might be. Then Faustina appeared, humbly apologized, and admitted that she had stayed in her cell too long. In response, when the Mother could not hide her astonishment—for several sisters had been there and had not found her—she heard, “Jesus made it so that I was invisible, for it was about His business.”
Alicja: Apostle in a One-Room Apartment
Alicja’s devotion went beyond the purity of intention; she took a step further. Retiring in 1987, she continued to live in a one-room apartment on the tenth floor of a communist-era building. At the beginning of 1989, the following entry appeared in Alicja’s notes, which may testify that she had received the gift of invisible stigmata:
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 1989, 9:10 a.m.
I felt the pain of Jesus, inflicted upon Him by those whom He had called to be His witnesses and apostles.
The pain of Jesus Crucified in their hearts, as they seek their own glory by making use of Him.
The pain of Jesus, whose Blood they trample upon while being preoccupied with themselves.
The pain of Jesus, whom they have made an accessory to their own ambitions and vanity, that He might satisfy them.
The pain of Jesus—abandoned, betrayed, sold, and mistreated by His own.
“From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus* on my body.” (Gal. 6:17)
As a means of evangelization, Alicja organized and led pilgrimages to Italy, the Holy Land, and Medjugorje. This last location was particularly dear to her. She wrote as much in one of her letters: “Medjugorje stands as a lifeline to those drowning in materialism, licentiousness, and addiction” (August 15, 1998). Alicja supported the Catholic Radio Maryja and TV Trwam financially. Over time, she acquired a Carmelite prie-dieu (kneeler) for praying the Rosary. Throughout the Lenten season, she took part in the Way of the Cross every day.
On December 25, 2005, in the Motherhouse of the Family of the Heart of Crucified Love in Babliniec, Alicja took her perpetual vows: the vows of love, fidelity, and obedience. The purpose of this community is sacrifice and reparation to God for one’s own sins and the sins of the world. She also committed herself to “daily participation in the Holy Mass, the recitation of the Divine Office and the Rosary, and to remaining in silence before God, not necessarily within a church.”
As St. John Paul II taught about faith, “it contains a dynamism; it is directed towards the future; it is never a fully completed act. It presupposes a journey of faith, an itinerarium towards God.” Helena’s life clearly illustrates this dynamism and its concrete, even miraculous, fruit. Nothing is too lowly or humble for Him to transform from our weakness and misery into a fragrance pleasing to God. In Alicja’s case, she receives the grace of a radical faith and the supernatural strength to endure, at times, superhuman suffering.
In Part 4, two pious women shall teach us the value of silence and of guarding one’s tongue and thoughts—through which people constantly scourge the Savior.
Author’s Note: A task for the reader, try to find the passage in Faustina’s Diary indicating that she was given the gift of the stigmata.
Photo by Chad Peltola on Unsplash
