The Congregation for Divine Worship decreed (May 23, 2000) that [quote]throughout the world, the Second Sunday of Easter will receive the name Divine Mercy Sunday, a perennial invitation to the Christian world to face, with confidence in divine benevolence, the difficulties and trials that humankind will experience in the years to come.[/quote] Devotion to the Divine Mercy was promoted by St. Faustina Kowalska, canonized by Pope John Paul II April 30, 2000.
BACKGROUND: Jesus appeared to a young Polish nun, Sr. Maria Faustina Kowalska, on February 22, 1931, while she was in prayer. Jesus appeared with pale and red rays streaming from His pierced Heart: RAYS OF MERCY! Jesus directed Sr. Faustina to have this image of Him painted, with the signature, [quote]JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU.[/quote]Jesus, calling Sr. Faustina the Apostle and Secretary of His mercy, ordered her to record all He said to her. His Words of mercy through his Apostle and Secretary are found in her spiritual diary of 600 pages entitled:
Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska
DIARY
Divine Mercy in My Soul
In a series of revelations, Jesus reveals that His mercy is limitless and available to all people, even the greatest sinners. Jesus also reveals special ways for us to respond to His mercy:
THE DIVINE MERCY IMAGE: JESUS…Not in the beauty of the color, nor the brush lies the greatness of this image, but in My grace. [DIARY #313] I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. [DIARY #48]
THE CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY: In a 1935 revelation, JESUS taught Sr. Faustina the Chaplet of Divine Mercy:…on the beads of the rosary, in the following manner: First of all, you will say one OUR FATHER and HAIL MARY and the I BELIEVE IN GOD. Then on the OUR FATHER beads you will say the following words: [quote]Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.[/quote] On the HAIL MARY beads you will say the following words: [quote]For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.[/quote] In conclusion, three times you will recite these words: [quote]Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.[/quote] [DIARY #476]
Through the chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will. [DIARY #1731]
THE HOUR OF MERCY: JESUS…At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. I will allow you to enter into My mortal sorrow. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of me in virtue of My Passion…. [DIARY #1320]
THE FEAST OF MERCY: JESUS…My daughter, tell the whole world about my inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is my desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of
My Mercy. [DIARY #699]
JESUS’ requirement for Confession…may be fulfilled by going to Confession on Divine Mercy Sunday or up to eight days before or eight days after this Feast.
OUR LIVING MERCY: JESUS…I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first – by deed, the second – by word, the third – by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy. Yes, the first Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Mercy, but there must also be acts of mercy, and I demand the worship of My mercy through the solemn celebration of the Feast and through the veneration of the image which is painted. By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls. It is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works. [DIARY #742]
DIVINE MERCY CONFESSIONS:
Saturday, April 7th: 3:00p-4:00p
DIVINE MERCY MASSES:
Saturday 5:00p
SUNDAY 9:00a(Children’s Liturgy of the Word)
AND 11:00a
On this DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY, in His year 2018, our Parish Family and friends are invited to continue recognizing His Mercy with a HOLY HOUR, 3:00p-4:00p.