“From this picture, great graces will abound,” that was the visionary message from Jesus to Saint Faustina as he shared his desire for an image showing His Mercy poured forth. On March 29 at Billings Central Catholic High School, more than 230 people learned the story behind this painting and heard the miraculous journey that it has made over the last 70 years thanks to a brand new documentary titled The Original Divine Mercy Image. (The actual title is The Original Image of Divine Mercy)
“I found out about this movie through a listener,” says Roy Brown, General Manager of Billings Catholic Radio, the organization that brought the movie to Billings. “I wanted to bring something that would gather everyone who has this devotion to Divine Mercy along with those who are curious together in one location, across parish lines.” Those that attended not only came away with a greater appreciation of St. Faustina’s vision and the painting that resulted, but they had the chance to be in the presence of a third-class relic. The high quality replica of the Divine Mercy image is a relic since the canvas was touched to the original Divine Mercy painting.
Along with the screening, guests got a chance to talk with the movie’s director, Daniel diSilva, who shared more about his year-and-a-half journey making this documentary. The movie, which was released last Ash Wednesday, traces the history of the painting, which spent decades hidden during the Soviet occupation of Lithuania. At one point, two nuns risked their lives to hide the painting to ensure its safety. Afterward, the original image sat and gathered dust protected in an attic until it was discovered and found its permanent home in the basilica of Vilnius, Lithuania, in 2005.
While it was shocking to learn the story behind this miraculous image, Roy Brown says it was beautiful to witness how the Billings crowd reacted, even to the replica. “What I felt was so compelling was that when the image was brought out at the end of the event, there was a collective sigh, not necessarily a gasp, but a calm presence for the 230 people there. They instantly became quiet and found this image to be attractive and engaging.” And that’s just what diSilva wants to have happen, to create an engaged community with a desire to learn more about the Divine Mercy image, the message and its promises.
Find out how you can bring this movie to your parish or school at divinemercyfilm.com/screening-request.
Submitted by Julie Koerber
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