VATICAN CITY, APRIL 23, 2002 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II will consecrate the Divine Mercy Basilica during his trip to Poland in August, a news agency reported.
The news from Polska Agencja Prasowa was confirmed by Monsignor Renato Boccardo, who visited Poland last week to prepare the Holy Father's eighth trip to his homeland. The Polish agency said the dates for the trip are Aug. 16-19.
The new basilica is in Lagiewniki, on the outskirts of Krakow, where Sister Faustina Kowalska lived. In 2000, John Paul II canonized the "messenger" of the devotion to Divine Mercy.
Sister Faustina (1905-1938) lived as a religious for 13 years, carrying out humble tasks as cook, gardener and porter.
She lived an intense spiritual journey, marked by visions, revelations, and hidden stigmata. Her mystical experience was centered on consecration to Divine Mercy and the motto: "Jesus, I trust in you."
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23. april 2002