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Feast of Mercy
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| November 5, 1934. One morning, when it was my duty to open the gate to let out our people who deliver baked goods, I entered the little chapel to visit Jesus for a minute and to renew the intentions of the day. Today, Jesus, I offer You all my sufferings, mortifications and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father, so that he may approve the Feast of Mercy. But, Jesus, I have one more word to say to You: I am very surprised that You bid me to talk about this Feast of Mercy for they tell me that there is already such a feast and so why should I talk about it? And Jesus said to me, And who knows anything about this feast? No one! Even those who should be proclaiming My mercy and teaching people about it often do not know about it themselves. That is why I want the image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it. Make a Novena for the Holy Father's intention. It should consist of thirty-three acts; that is, repetition that many times of the short prayer - which I have taught you - to the Divine Mercy. (341) |
[Ecumenical] Lent through Eastertide - Divine Mercy Diary Exerpts: Periods of Darkness
[Ecumenical] Lent through Eastertide - Divine Mercy Diary Exerpts: Confession of Sins in the Sacrament of Penance
[Ecumenical] Lent through Eastertide - Divine Mercy Diary Exerpts: Chosen Souls
[Ecumenical] Lent through Eastertide - Divine Mercy Diary Exerpts: Children
[Ecumenical] Lent through Eastertide - Divine Mercy Diary Exerpts: Power of the Chaplet
[Ecumenical] Lent through Eastertide - Divine Mercy Diary Exerpts: Busy Souls
[Ecumenical] Lent through Eastertide - Divine Mercy Diary Exerpts: Effect of Holy Baptism on the Soul
[Ecumenical] Lent through Eastertide - Divine Mercy Diary Exerpts: Apostles of Mercy
[Ecumenical] Lent through Eastertide - Divine Mercy Diary Exerpts: Angels
[Ecumenical] Lent through Eastertide - Divine Mercy Diary Exerpts: Abortion
On Sunday, March 20, EWTN host, Fr. Benedict Groeschel welcomed Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, Director, Association of Marian Helpers, a world-renowned expert on the life and spirituality of St. Faustina, and who served as vice-postulator for her canonization cause. In the course of their conversation, the topic arose on our Lord's selection of the Octave of Easter for the celebration of the Feast of the Divine Mercy.
Fr. Michalenko explained to Fr. Groeschel how he spent years researching the selection of that particular date. It did not become clear until he read a book by another priest, Fr. Daniel Lou(?) in which he devotes 3 chapters on that Octave of Easter. Evidently, the true meaning of the octave was not alive in the Church. In fact, after VCII, they got rid of it. What we learn from Lou is that in the Eastern Church, particularly from the time of Gregory Nazianzen, he gave a special sermon on that day one year, and all the students of the Fathers are surprised that he said: "Easter Sunday is a wonderful day but the Sunday after Easter is more wonderful". And the reason is that it points to the other life. Easter, he said, is the boundary between death and life. But, the Octave day of Easter, points to the future life.
This information totally captivated me as it provided some insight into the Octave of Easter, celebrated in the Maronite Church, which is called New Sunday. Here is the background:
SYNAXARION
New Sunday is the eighth day of the Church's celebration of the resurrection. The first week of the Season of Resurrection, the Week of Hawareyeen (the priest explained that Hawareyeen means white and refers to the garments worn by the newly christened), has come to a conclusion. During this week, we have seen the various appearances of the Lord: to Mary Magdalene, the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, to Peter, the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and the disciples gathered in the upper room. Now the appearances of the Lord are over. In overcoming the hesitation of Thomas, the Lord revealed to the apostles the truth of the resurrection. Christ has risen, truly risen!
For those who missed the interview between Fr. Benedict Groeschel and Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, you can watch it in its entirety at the following link.