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by her immense love for the Holy Eucharist, although not a customary practice of the
Congregation. 31 She showed her deep devotion to the Eucharist in her Diary, including her
elaborate discourse on “My Preparation for Holy Communion;” while identifying herself also as
“Sister Maria Faustina of the Blessed Sacrament.” 32
She made her first profession of temporary vows, which her parents were able to attend
on April 30, 1928. 33 She renewed this profession, yearly for five years, until she made her final
vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience on May 1, 1933. 34 She wanted to leave the
Congregation for her own pious reasons and received the permission to do so from the Mother
General Superior on May 4, 1937. 35 But in union with God’s express will for her, she
intentionally chose to remain in the same Congregation (Diary, # 19). She would last 13 years,
from August 1925 until her death on October 5, 1938, at the age of 33. 36
As a religious, Sr. Faustina was observed to be contemplative and humble, yet naturally
friendly and joyful; and just like her convent Sisters; she strove to obey the rules faithfully and to
complete her job assignments devotedly. 37 In the convent, given her limited education,
experience, skills, and young age of almost 20 years old, the Sisters’ governing body assigned
her the simple manual tasks of a gardener, gatekeeper, cook, baker, as well as a bakery store, and
a vestry worker. 38 She also helped with the physical work of the “director” Sisters, which she
31
Ibid., Diary, Endnotes, 672n105.
Ibid., Faustina, Diary, # 1804-1828; Endnotes, 672n105.
33
Ibid., Faustina, Diary, xxxii; Addenda, 701; Odell, Faustina, 54.
34
Ibid., Faustina, Diary, xvi, xxxii; Addenda, 701.
35
Ibid., Faustina, Diary, xxxix.
36
Ibid., Faustina, Diary, # 19, xv-xvii, xxx-xlii.
37
Ibid., Faustina, Diary, xv; Catholic Online, “St. Faustina,” 3; Vatican News Service, “Faustina,” 1.
38
Ibid., Faustina, Diary, xvi, xxxiii-xxxv, xxxvii; Endnotes, 661n60-61.
32
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