Divine Mercy Sunday, the Octave of Easter
In 1931 Our Lord appeared to Saint Faustina in a vision and instructed her to paint the image which represents the graces of Divine Mercy poured out upon the world. Jesus told her He desires that this image be venerated throughout the world. That same year Jesus first revealed to her His desire for the establishment of a Feast of Mercy on the first Sunday after Easter. She wrote in her Diary that she heard:
I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls and especially for poor sinners. On that day the 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 are opened all the divine floodgates through which graces flow. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. 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. (699)
All sins and punishment are removed by the grace obtained on Divine Mercy Sunday when we fulfill the conditions of a valid Confession and worthily receive Holy Communion with trust in Jesus’ promise. This offer of grace is applied to any Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday or the Vigil the night before. You need not attend a specific prayer service.
Every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the “temporal punishment” of sin. (1472)
The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God entail the remission of the eternal punishment of sin, but temporal punishment of sin remains. (1473) CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
This extraordinary promise cleanses us of everything up to and including our last participation in Divine Mercy Sunday. We must be sorry for our past sins and at least be willing to try to amend our lives. We cannot have the intention to remain living in a state of sin with no desire for conversion. This change of heart is necessary to receive the graces of Divine Mercy Sunday. To fittingly observe the Feast of Mercy, we should:
- Celebrate the Feast on the Sunday after Easter;
- Sincerely repent of all our sins:
- Place our complete trust in Jesus;
- Go to Confession, preferably before Divine Mercy Sunday (even sometime during Lent suffices);
- Receive Holy Communion on the day of the Feast of Mercy;
- Venerate the image of the Divine Mercy; and
- Be merciful to others, through our actions, words, and prayers on their behalf.
This grace is so powerful that it can open the door to Heaven, so don’t let Divine Mercy Sunday pass you by!
| The Novena To The Divine Mercy
In preparation for the Feast of Divine Mercy, the Lord asked St. Faustina to say the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy for nine days from Good Friday to the following Saturday. He told her: By this novena, I will grant every possible grace to souls. To practice this devotion, you can download The Marian Fathers’ free Divine Mercy app from iTunes and Google Play. To learn more about the Divine Mercy message and devotion go to https://www.thedivinemercy.org/ |
One other important revelation regarding the Feast of Mercy occurred in 1937 during Holy Mass when Saint Faustina saw the suffering Jesus and He said to her:
Souls perish in spite of My bitter Passion. I am giving them the last hope of salvation; that is, the Feast of My Mercy. If they will not adore My mercy, they will perish for all eternity. Secretary of My mercy, write, tell souls about this great mercy of Mine, because the awful day, the day of My justice, is near. (965)
“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.”