On the second Sunday of Easter, the Church celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday. The day was named by St. Pope John Paul II at the canonization of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska in the Jubilee Year of 2000. Mercy as expressed to the apostles by the Risen Christ is neither pity nor is it shame, but the full expression of God’s compassion for our human nature and the raising up and restoration of our humanity to its original and intended status in creation. The embracing of such Mercy is only possible in light of Christ’s resurrection.
Divine Mercy Sunday
In the 1930s Kowalska wrote in her diary that the Lord asked for this special feast day on several occasions. The Lord Jesus told her: I desire that the first Sunday after Easter be the Feast of Mercy (Diary 299). 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 graces flow are opened (Diary 699).
The message of The Divine Mercy is simple:
Ask for his Mercy.
Be merciful.
Trust in Jesus.
On Sunday, April, 19, at 3 p.m., join Monsignor David Brockman in praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. The bilingual prayer will be streamed live on Facebook.
Learn how to recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Divine Mercy Sunday Masses will be streamed in English and Spanish. Information and worship are available.