5 Times St. Faustina Faced the Devil—and What We Can Learn From It

Spiritual warfare isn’t just a dramatic concept reserved for exorcists or saints—it’s something real, something many of us quietly endure without always recognizing it. For most, it’s subtle: intrusive thoughts, discouragement, confusion, fear. But for those striving to grow in holiness, the spiritual life often includes a real struggle.

We’re not alone in that battle. One of the most powerful witnesses we have is St. Faustina Kowalska, the humble Polish nun entrusted with the message of Divine Mercy. While many know her for the beautiful image of Jesus and the words “Jesus, I trust in You,” fewer realize that St. Faustina experienced intense spiritual warfare—and came through it with peace, humility, and unwavering trust.

Here are five moments from her Diary that reveal how she faced the enemy—and how we can follow her example.

---

1. The Mocking Disguise

In Diary entry 1405, Satan tries to deceive Faustina by appearing as her Guardian Angel and attempting to confuse her about her Divine Mercy mission:

“When I was going upstairs this evening, a strange dislike for everything having to do with God suddenly came over me. At that, I heard Satan who said to me, ‘Think no more about this work. God is not as merciful as you say He is. Do not pray for sinners, because they will be damned all the same, and by this work of mercy you expose your own self to damnation. Talk no more about this mercy of God with your confessor and especially not with Father Sopocko and Father Andrasz.’ At this point, the voice took the appearance of my Guardian Angel, and at that moment I replied, ‘I know who you are: the father of lies [cf. Jn. 8:44].’ I made the sign of the cross, and the angel vanished with great racket and fury.”

Faustina recognized the deception and responded with spiritual clarity and confidence, using one of the simplest but most powerful weapons: the Sign of the Cross.

Takeaway: Doubt is one of the enemy’s favorite tools—especially when it comes to God’s mercy and your mission. Recognize the lie, name it, and make the Sign of the Cross with intention.

---

2. A Pack of Wild Dogs

In Diary entry 320, Faustina recounts her prayers in adoration for the conversion of sinners. Jesus spoke to her, saying “The prayer of a humble and loving soul disarms the anger of My Father and draws down an ocean of blessings.”

After adoration, St. Faustina made her way back to her room, when all of a sudden:

I was surrounded by a pack of huge black dogs who were jumping and howling and trying to tear me to pieces. I realized that they were not dogs, but demons. One of them spoke up in a rage, "Because you have snatched so many souls away from us this night, we will tear you to pieces." I answered, "If that is the will of the most merciful God, tear me to pieces, for I have justly deserved it, because I am the most miserable of all sinners, and God is ever holy, just, and infinitely merciful." To these words all the demons answered as one, "Let us flee, for she is not alone; the Almighty is with her!" And they vanished like dust, like the noise of the road, while I continued on my way to my cell undisturbed, finishing my Te Deum and pondering the infinite and unfathomable mercy of God.

Faustina didn’t argue or panic. She responded with humility, submitting herself to God's will and trusting completely in His mercy.

Takeaway: When spiritual attack comes, humility disarms the enemy. Satan fears the soul that trusts God more than it fears suffering.

---

3. The Temptation to Turn Inward

In Diary entry 1497, Faustina describes a spiritual low point where Satan tempts her to give up her prayers for others:

“Why should you bother about other souls? You ought to be praying only for yourself. As for sinners, they will be converted without your prayers.”

St Faustia remained silent in the face of this temptation and through an “act of will” dwelt in God.

“I remained silent and, by an act of will, I continued to dwell close to the Heart of Jesus.”

Later, Jesus praises her response:

“Satan gained nothing by tempting you, because you did not enter into conversation with him. Continue to act in this way. You gave Me great glory today by fighting so faithfully. Let it be confirmed and engraved on your heart that I am always with you, even if you don't feel My presence at the time of battle.”

Takeaway: We don’t have to “feel” close to God to remain close to Him. Choose to dwell in His heart by an act of will—and refuse to engage with the lies.

---

4. Flying Flower Pots and Feline Fury

In entries 411–412, Faustina describes a bizarre physical encounter with the enemy:

Satan took a flowerpot and angrily hurled it to the ground with all his might. I saw all his rage and his jealousy. (411)

She didn’t let it rattle her. She calmly picked it up and continued her prayers.

Later that night, Faustina was in a deep sleep when Satan shook her bed:

“I awoke instantly, and I started to pray peacefully to my Guardian Angel. Then I saw the souls who were doing penance in purgatory. They appeared like shadows, and among them I saw many demons. One of these tried to vex me; taking the form of a cat, he kept throwing himself onto my bed and on my feet, and he was quite heavy, as if [weighing] a ton. I kept praying the rosary all the while, and toward dawn these beings vanished, and I was able to get some sleep.”

The next morning, Jesus reassures her:

“You are united to Me; fear nothing. But know, My child, that Satan hates you; he hates every soul, but he burns with a particular hatred for you, because you have snatched so many souls from his dominion.”

Takeaway: Whether the battle is emotional, mental, or even physical, we can remain in peace by invoking our Guardian Angel and continuing in prayer. Satan may rage—but Christ remains victorious.

---

5. Seeds of Confusion

In another dark moment (Diary 1496), Satan attempts to confuse and discourage Faustina regarding the mission Jesus gave her:

“When I went, in my thoughts, to the chapel, my spirit was plunged into even greater darkness. Total discouragement came over me. Then I heard Satan's voice: ‘See how contradictory everything is that Jesus gives to you: He tells you to found a convent, and then He gives you sickness; He tells you to set about establishing this Feast of Mercy while the whole world does not at all want such a feast. Why do you pray for this feast? It is so inopportune.’”

“My soul remained silent and, by an act of will, continued to pray without entering into conversation with the spirit of darkness.”

Takeaway: Confusion is one of the enemy’s sharpest tools. When it strikes, we don’t need to sort it out—we need to stay rooted in prayer and silence.

---

What We Can Learn

St. Faustina didn’t live in fear of the devil—not because he wasn’t real, but because she knew who her Savior was.

She teaches us that the greatest weapon in spiritual warfare isn’t clever arguments or dramatic exorcisms. It’s peace—a peace rooted in trust.

When you feel spiritually attacked—whether through doubt, fear, confusion, or shame—remember her example:

• Call on the Name of Jesus

• Make the Sign of the Cross with intention

• Stay humble and silent before temptation

• Cling to the Sacraments

• Trust in God’s mercy

• And most of all, keep repeating the prayer that anchored her soul:
  “Jesus, I trust in You.”

Even in the fiercest spiritual storms, Faustina’s life reminds us: we are never alone.

___________________________________________________________________________

Want to learn more about Divine Mercy? Download our Divine Mercy Guide for Catholic Women to learn more about St. Faustina, The Divine Mercy Image and the Devotion. 

Want to carry the Divine Mercy message with you wherever you go? Check out our Divine Mercy Bracelets.