Divine Mercy
Second Sunday of Easter
“Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.'” John 20:29
“Divine Mercy Shrine” Photo by Neilyamit
More Than We Deserve, More Than We Imagine
This Sunday we celebrate the feast of Divine Mercy promulgated by Pope John Paul II on the canonization of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska on April 30, 2000. On this feast we celebrate the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ, as revealed by Christ Himself to St. Faustina. We all should take advantage of the indulgences given by the Church on this day. This feast of Divine Mercy, as recorded in the diary of Saint Faustina, Jesus states that the soul that goes to Sacramental Confession (the confession may take place some days before), and receives Holy Eucharistic Communion on that day, shall obtain the total forgiveness of all sins and punishment. That means each person would go immediately after death to the heaven, without suffering in purgatory (nor hell). Here are some excerpts From the Diary Of Sister Faustina.
“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 the 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.” Diary, 699
On This Feast of Divine Mercy, let us immerse in the infinite ocean of the merciful love God has for us though Jesus Christ that is more than we deserve, more that we imagine.
Blessings,
Fr. Abel Loera, Pastor
Our Lord’s Promises Attached to the Praying of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy as Revealed to St. Faustina Kowalska
“I promise that the soul that will venerate this image (of Divine Mercy) will not perish. I also promise victory over (its) enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory.” Diary, 48
“The souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death.” Diary, 754
“When hardened sinners say it, I will fill their souls with peace, and the hour of their death will be a happy one.” Diary, 1541
“When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as a just Judge but as a merciful Savior.” Diary, 1541
“Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death.” Diary, 687
“Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy…I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy.” Diary, 687
“To priests who proclaim and extol My mercy, I will give wondrous power; I will anoint their words and touch the hearts of those to whom they will speak.” Diary, 1521
“The prayer most pleasing to Me is prayer for the conversion for sinners. Know, my daughter, that this prayer is always heard and answered.” Diary, 1397
“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…I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion.” Diary, 1320; also, cf. Diary, 1572
“Souls who spread the honor of My mercy…at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior.” Diary, 1075
“The two rays denote Blood and Water…These two rays issued from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father…I desire that the first Sunday after Easter be the Feast of Mercy…whoever approaches the Fount of Life on this day will be granted complete remission of sins and punishment. Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy.” Diary, 299-300
“I desire that the Feast of Mercy…be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter…The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion (in a state of grace on this day) shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.” Diary, 699
“Through this chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will.” Diary, 1731
“My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world.” Diary, 1485
*Excerpts taken from the Diary of St. Faustina Kowalska, titled Divine Mercy in My Soul, ©1987, Congregation of Marians of the Immaculate Conception, Stockbridge, MA 01263.
Readings for the Week
Monday: Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Ps 40:7-11; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38
Tuesday: Acts 4:32-37; Ps 93:1-2, 5; Jn 3:7b-15
Wednesday: Acts 5:17-26; Ps 34:2-9; Jn 3:16-21
Thursday: Acts 5:27-33; Ps 34:2, 9, 17-20; Jn 3:31-36
Friday: Acts 5:34-42; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Jn 6:1-15
Saturday: Acts 6:1-7; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19; Jn 6:16-21
Sunday: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; Ps 4:2, 4, 7-9; 1 Jn 2:1-5a; Lk 24:35-48
Saints & Special Observances
Sunday: Sunday of Divine Mercy); Julian Calendar Easter
Monday: The Annunciation of the Lord
Wednesday: St. Stanislaus
Thursday: Yom Ha-Shoa (Holocaust Remembrance Day)
Friday: St. Martin I