Teologia świętego obrazu w orędziu Błogosławionej Faustyny Kowalskiej

Abstract

Known to be no expert in theology in general, the blessed Sister Faustyna Kowalska would not be expected to have been familiar with its special part – the theology of icon. It is only natural then for a reader to wonder at the highly sophisticated theology of sacred picture which she gave in her Diary. A question arises where this theology came from. The blessed Sister provides the answer, stating that it came from Jesus ChristHim self and was conveyed to her in special revelations. The certainty of this declaration is not absolute although it is considered highly probable now that very scrupulous beatification proceedings were carried out. It will be no trifle to note that the veiy iconological contents surpassing natural abilities of the Blessed Sister seem to point to their supernatural origins. The contents, discussed in the article, can be characterized in the following aspects. One is an explicit demand of a picture, an aspect in which an iconological dogma of ancient councils asserting the necessity of pictures in Christian religion is expressed. Another provides details about the role a picture must perform to be recognized as a true sacred icon. It can and must be said that the mentioned aspects include relevant elements of the orthodox theology of a sacred picture.