Performing artist Nancy Scimone will present a one-woman show on St. Faustina on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12, at St. Andrew the Apostle Church, Gibbsboro.
St. Faustina, born Helen Kowalska, was a Polish nun and mystic who died in 1938 at the age of 33 and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in April, 2000. She lived much of her life in the obscurity of the convent, both in Warsaw and in Cracow. Obeying her confessor’s directives, she kept a diary of her daily convent life as well as the graces she experienced. She is the saint associated with Divine Mercy Sunday which the church celebrates on the Sunday after Easter.
Scimone uses excerpts from the diary as her script. “It’s my desire,” she said, “to portray both the soul who receives extraordinary graces and the soul who like each of us, seeks to know, love and serve our Lord. Through her diary we learn how she experienced great joy in the simplest of things because she was so open to grace. She teaches us that God’s forgiveness and mercy are available to each of us. This is truly a story of mercy and forgiveness.”
The drama also gives background to Divine Mercy Sunday and The Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
“St. Faustina — Messenger of Mercy,” is presented in seven scenes portraying significant facets of the saint’s life, including her physical and spiritual trials, trust in Jesus, love for the sacraments and love for Mary. After each scene Scimone sings a sacred song. She presents her drama without scenery or props with the intent that the simplicity of presentation maintains the intimate convent setting and focuses on the words of the Diary. The drama runs about one hour.
Scimone has presented over 100 performances of the drama, including at the John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. She also has performed as soloist in Handel’s Messiah in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.
If you go
“St. Faustina — Messenger of Mercy” is at 1:30 p.m. on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12, at St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 27 Kresson-Gibbsboro Rd., Gibbsboro. The performance is part of the church’s Divine Mercy Sunday celebration, including 11:30 a.m. Mass, Exposition, confessions, and Divine Mercy Chaplet. No tickets required. A free-will offering will be collected.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
