The Untold Story of an Unknown Masterpiece
Original Divine Mercy Events
Film director, author, and leading expert on the Original Image of Divine Mercy Daniel diSilva gives unique and entertaining presentations covering all aspects of Saint Faustina’s magnum opus for parishes, schools, and private audiences around the world (in English and Spanish). His presentations are meaningful and entertaining multi-media events that unfold the adventurous history and still-unexamined significance of the priceless masterpiece known as Divine Mercy. Daniel diSilva offers his unmatched expertise to large or small groups, and in private or public settings. While directing the most authoritative documentary on the subject, diSilva traveled across Europe and beyond to speak with eye witnesses, and some of the most knowledgeable and “connected” people surrounding Kazimirowski’s original work. DiSilva’s work has uncovered for the world some of the most important hidden details about why the Original Image of Divine Mercy took the arduous journey that it did, including why some entities encircling the devotion to Divine Mercy have fought so hard to keep this information esoteric and abstruse for so long.
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIVINE MERCY CHOIR TOUR OF THE U.S. DURING LENT OF 2024!
Having conducted over one thousand hours of interviews with experts and eyewitnesses, covering facts and history of the priceless masterpiece, diSilva has singularly dedicated himself to this ongoing research and has become the world’s most knowledgable and eloquent speaker and author about this world-famous work of art. He is the driving force behind the annual Divine Mercy Summit which has become the largest single Divine Mercy event in the world, and is a regular presenter at conferences and events.
There is still so much to tell about this painting which has captivated the world, and specifically, why it remained relatively uncelebrated until the making of the 2016 documentary, The Original Image of Divine Mercy.
Be part of the discussion concerning the implications of The Original Image of Divine Mercy in both, Theology and the Art World – a conversation which has only just begun.
Four presentation options are available to choose from, each with a different theme and overall material to be discussed. A single presentation can be scheduled, a combination of two presentations over the course of two evenings or two same-day sessions.
“Masterpiece of Mercy" - a closer look at The Original Image of Divine Mercy (with Q&A) - A meaningful and entertaining multi-media event using state of the art technology that unfolds in the most beautiful way the adventurous history and still-unexamined significance of the priceless masterpiece painted by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski under the direction of Saint Faustina.
"The Image of Mercy" - on being merciful and receiving mercy in our lives (with Q&A) - Living lives of mercy includes being merciful as well as asking for and accepting mercy. Survey the profound and miraculous gift of mercy in our practical lives as depicted in the Masterpiece as well as in St. Faustina’s diary.
“The Art & Work of Mercy” - a two-part presentation given as a one-day seminar with a break in between, or as a two-day parish mission. This option includes the first two full-length presentations presented back to back.
A Director’s Cut Presentation of the Documentary: The Original Image of Divine Mercy - Journey with the director through the unpredictable journey of discovery of the fascinating information uncovered during the filmmaking process about the painting, much of which was necessarily edited out of the final cut of the documentary. Some of these anecdotes are guaranteed to surprise even the most well-read on the subject!
Set of Short Conference Seminars - This option is for two 45-minute sessions ideal for a conference setting.
Talk #1: The Original Image Of Divine Mercy - A deep dive into the significance of Saint Faustina's magnum opus painted by the artist Eugeniusz Kazimirowski. “Reading” Kazimirowski's painting and what it exclusively reveals about Divine Mercy and the Eucharist.
Talk #2: The History Of The Masterpiece of Mercy - Saint Faustina's priceless masterpiece was lost, abandoned, hidden, smuggled, traded, forgotten, and even counterfeited. Follow the century-long epic journey from an obscure artist's studio to the Shrine Of Divine Mercy in Vilnius, the City of Mercy.
Presentations can be customized to accommodate any audience in almost any room/venue. A private presentation in your home/office for yourself and friends/family/staff/group followed by open and candid conversation with the director is an option. Presentations run approximately 1.5 hours followed by an always-stirring Q&A session with the director. This duration can be tailored to fit almost any window of time, large or small (up to a total time of about 2 hours and 45 minutes with a break). In special circumstances and with the cooperation of a local priest, an evening can be arranged including the celebration of the Holy Mass, Reconciliation, and/or adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
The original Divine Mercy Institute is a non-profit organization
under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Vilnius
and home of the Original Image of Divine Mercy.
Contact us at events@originaldivinemercy.com or call us for more information.
A Traveling Gallery of Art and Archives
All presentations are accompanied by a gallery of art and important artifacts that are relevant to the history of the Original Image of Divine Mercy. These items, some of them priceless, will be on displayed at events. Various items are included in the presentation. Although not necessary, if your facility has Audio/Video capabilities, images can be magnified onto a screen for better examination by audience members during the presentation. After the presentation, all artifacts are placed on exhibit in a walk-through gallery (space-providing).
Replica to Relic
A one-of-a-kind, hi-resolution, exact replica of the Original Image of Divine Mercy is on display at the front of the room for all presentations. This replica has traveled with Daniel diSilva since 2015 and is itself a 3rd class relic which was touched to The Original Image of Divine Mercy in Vilnius (Lithuania). The traveling replica is the same size as the original masterpiece (1.03m. x 2.16m / 40” x 85") and is available for veneration and examination by audience members.
Relics of Blessed Father Michael Sopocko
Fr. Michael Sopoćko (Blessed Michael Sopoćko) was the Catholic priest and professor at Vilnius University who became the spiritual director of Saint Faustina Kowalska. After her early death, the spreading of the devotion to Divine Mercy fell into his hands. His personal memoirs and other writings are an integral part of the history of the Original Image of Divine Mercy and are a primary source of information about the details given to the artist by Saint Faustina. The life story of Fr. Michael Sopoćko is central to the history and spread of the devotion to Divine Mercy.
From the Archives in Vilnius
As discussed in the film, The Original Image of Divine Mercy was first spread throughout the world in miniature. As the horrors of the Soviet and the Nazi Occupations of Vilnius escalated, many people were imprisoned in labor camps and exiled to Siberia, far away from their homes and families. Many of these people managed to hide and keep only one possession – a small photocopy of the Merciful Jesus which had often been secretly sewn into their clothing for protection from their oppressors. One of the few remaining images from the first printing (circa 1935) is on loan for exhibition at these presentations.
Daniel diSilva
CEO and Executive Director of The Original Divine Mercy Institute
The Original Image of Divine Mercy
Best known now for his films including The Original Image of Divine Mercy (2015), and Sexual Revolution: 50 Years Since Humanae Vitae (2018), Daniel diSilva has been the creative force behind of some of the New Evangelization's largest and best-known productions and events around the world. He is a composite musician, composer, author, and proclamator/promulgator of The Original Image of Divine Mercy throughout North and South America. He is the founder/director of the Divine Mercy Summit, an annual conference on all things Divine Mercy.
In film production diSilva has played integral roles in the success of feature films (Ben-Hur, A.D. The Bible Continues, The Butler, Searching for Sugar Man, etc.), as well as creative roles in much smaller projects including Fishers of Men, The Core Project, Chant Camp. In Music, diSilva has played/recorded with with Alison Krauss, James Taylor, Natalie MacMaster, Mark O'Connor, The Chieftains, Joseph Vincelli, Bobby Sparks, Carlos Guedes, and with his own band Crispin, just to name a few. In Radio & TV diSilva has been featured on Fox News, EWTN TV and Radio, Shalom, Radio Maria, Boston Catholic TV, Relevant Radio, Guadalupe Radio Network, and was the founding station manager of a 5000-watt-strong terrestrial Catholic radio station in Alabama. Live events include presenting at NCYC, Steubenville Youth Conferences, Rock to Bethlehem, and as the emcee at four consecutive International World Youth Day Festivals in the 2000’s. His credits include collaborations and creative partnerships with a long list of theaters, celebrities, media outlets, dioceses/archdioceses, and religious organizations. Daniel continues to write and compose from his studio in Fort Worth (Texas) and produces hi-resolution replicas of The Original Image of Divine Mercy (formerly known as the Vilnius Image). Daniel is a founding co-director of The Shakespeare Academy in San Diego, and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, serves on various local boards, and is the founding director of The Original Divine Mercy Institute and Operation Sopoćko.
Presentations run approximately one hour followed by an always-exciting Q&A session with the director. This one-hour duration can be tailored to fit almost any window of time, large or small (up to a total time of about 2 hours and 45 minutes). A series of presentations can also be extended across two or three evenings. In special circumstances and with the cooperation of a local priest, an evening can be arranged including the celebration of the Holy Mass and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.