Photo by Aistė Karpytė
V. Grybo St. 29A in Vilnius, on the territory of the former Antakalnis Children's Home, stands a wooden house. It attracts visitors from various countries of the world every year: Poland, JAV, France, Chile, Indonesia, New Zealand. It was here that 90 years ago something happened that unites millions of people around the world every day today – in this house, Jesus dictated the Chaplet of Mercy prayer to Sister Faustina Kowalska.
The rebirth of global knowledge
Nun Faustina Kowalska lived in a house at V. Grybo St. 29A before World War II. She recorded mystical experiences in her Diary. One of them – in 1935 – became a prayer that reached the whole world: The Chaplet of Mercy, shorter than the rosary prayer, invites us to ask for mercy for ourselves and the whole world.
Here, in Vilnius, was born the famous painting of the Merciful Jesus, painted in 1934 by the artist Eugenijus Kazimirovskis. Today it is kept in the Shrine of Divine Mercy, and copies of the painting can be seen in almost every church in the world.
In 2018, Pope Francis granted a plenary indulgence to all believers who devoutly recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in Lithuania.
"This is one of the greatest gifts Lithuania has ever received, both for each person's faith and for our state," said Vilnius Archbishop Gintaras Grušas.
Vilnius - City of Mercy
The hut where St. Faustina lived was once a convent. Here she spent three years, experienced the most important events of her life, and wrote down a message that spread throughout the world.
Pope John Paul II, when declaring Sister Faustina a saint, mentioned Vilnius among the four most important cities in her life, calling it the City of Mercy. “The Pope himself called Vilnius the City of Mercy! During the almost eighteen years of the Faustina Lodge’s operation, pilgrims from more than 90 countries have visited here: from Chile and Brazil to Indonesia, New Zealand and African countries. And for Vilnius residents, this lodge often becomes a real discovery,” says Vilija Vareikienė, project manager of the Vilnius Pilgrim Center. “We are glad that the number of “first-time” Lithuanians is increasing – they live nearby, have even heard something about it, but are visiting for the first time.”
Last year, more than 23 thousand people visited the house of St. Faustina, and the number is still growing. Visitors tell impressive stories: about healings, houses protected from typhoons, inner peace discovered. This is a kind of must-visit place in Vilnius for people looking for a spiritual journey.
The message of mercy today
The Chaplet of Mercy is recited today all over the world, from small villages in Africa to megacities in Asia. According to the testimony of believers, this prayer brings peace and hope even in the most difficult situations.
"God's mercy is limitless, no matter what the sins. God's mercy resurrects the world. The main message of the Chaplet of Mercy is that it works and there is nothing more precious to God than the sacrifice of his Son Jesus Christ, which we offer by saying this prayer. The power of the prayer of this chaplet is truly great," says V. Vareikienė.
The Church reminds us that God's mercy surpasses justice: man is loved not according to his merits, but with a love that surpasses all. Even for non-believers, this message can become an invitation to stop, look at life and find inner peace. Although the essential quality of God - mercy - has been known since ancient times, St. Faustina resurrected this message and spread it anew to the world of today.
A look into 2026
Vilnius continues to strengthen its role as a City of Mercy. From 2026 to 7 June 12, the World Apostolic Congress of Mercy will be held here, bringing together pilgrims from all over the world. The theme of the event, “Building a City of Mercy,” speaks of an invitation to create oases of mercy in our homes, communities, or cities.
This is an opportunity not only to learn about the spiritual heritage of your city, but also to feel part of a global movement. Perhaps this year is the right time to visit the house on V. Grybo Street for the first time, pray the Chaplet of Mercy, or simply be in the silence where the global message was reborn 90 years ago.