Posted on 04/11/2015 3:28:18 PM PDT by NYer
1. Jesus asked for it.
St. Faustina Kowalska, was a young member of The Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Lodz, Poland. In the early 1930s, she received a series of messages from The Lord expounding His desire to extend mercy upon humanity. He asked her to write these messages down. Among the messages was the request for an image of Himself to be commissioned:
"Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus I Trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and throughout the world."(The Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, Divine Mercy in My Soul,47)
Further, the image was to be venerated in a special way and at a certain time:
"I want the image solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it." (The Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, Divine Mercy in My Soul, 341).
So, Jesus specifically asked for the Divine Mercy image to be painted and for a Feast of The Divine Mercy to be instituted on the Second Sunday of Easter. Interestingly enough, only young Sister Faustina’s religious superiors and spiritual director knew that these supernatural occurrences were taking place. It wasn’t until after she died that parts of the diary became public.
2. It was a complete surprise to the Church.
Sister Faustina’s diary became increasingly known among the Polish people, especially a priest named Karol Wojtyla. As Pope John Paull II, he would help to fulfill Jesus’ desire that His message of unfathomable mercy to sinners be spread to the entire world.
On the occasion of Blessed Faustina’s elevation to the dignity of the altar (her Mass of Canonization) The Pope Shocked the world by announcing the proclamation of a new observance on the liturgical calendar. He said, “It is important … that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on this Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church will be called “Divine Mercy Sunday.”
Needless to say it was kind of a surprise since only those who keenly paid attention to the decree of The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments a week earlier would have been aware of the surprise waiting in the middle of the now sainted pope’s homily.
3. It's actually an opportunity to receive mercy.
More than just a passing observance of the mercy of Jesus, Divine Mercy Sunday is a day that Jesus wanted to extend His mercy to sinners. According to the diary of St. Faustina, Jesus requested Divine Mercy Sunday with an express purpose:
"The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment." (The Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, Divine Mercy in My Soul,, 699)
This is known as a plenary indulgence, and is one of the most misunderstood concepts of Catholic teaching. Whenever we sin, there are temporal effects due to the sins we commit. Even though the guilt may have been forgiven in Sacramental Reconciliation, there are still “ripples” that our actions (or omissions) cause for which we have to account. This is where the understanding of purgatory comes in.
It is in purgatory that we atone for these “ripples” or effects of our sin. We’re purged of all impurity before seeing God. Even though there’s no real way to measure time in purgatory, this purifying isn’t instantaneous. An indulgence is an application of the graces given by Christ’s saving actions on the cross as well as the redemptive suffering of the saints to a soul in need. The Church, specifically the successor of St. Peter (the pope) and in some cases a bishop, has the authority to dispense these graces called “indulgences”. They’re either partial or plenary (or full).
A plenary indulgence is complete remission of that punishment, just like Jesus claims in St. Faustina’s Diary. And it is on Divine Mercy Sunday (as well as other special times and days throughout the year) that the mercy of Jesus can be experienced in this way.
Bottom Line? Get to Confession if you haven’t already, receive Holy Communion, pray for The Holy Father and his intentions, and dive deep into the mercy of Jesus. He’s been waiting for you!
Ping!
DIVINE MERCY CELEBRATION FROM VILNIUS LITHUANIA -04/12 at 10:30 AM ET
Holy Mass celebrated in honor of Divine Mercy Sunday.
DIVINE MERCY PREVIEW SHOW - 04/12 at 12:00 PM ET; 04/13 at 12:00 AM ET
The Marians of the Immaculate Conception prepare for Divine Mercy Sunday with various festivities. Live, from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy.
MASS AND CELEBRATION OF DIVINE MERCY FROM STOCKBRIDGE, MA - 04/12 at 1:00 PM ET; 04/13 at 1:00 AM ET
The celebration of the Solemn Mass of Divine Mercy Sunday, live from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA.
Praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet for Pro-Life Causes
75th Anniversary of the appearance of Jesus to St. Faustina to prepare world for 2nd Coming
A Canticle to Divine Mercy
Divine Mercy Novena Begins on Good Friday
The Message of Divine Mercy
Divine Mercy
Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Marians of the Immaculate Conception Home Page
Information and Questions about Divine Mercy Sunday
Understanding Divine Mercy Sunday
Rumor has it that “Cardinal” Dolan is the celebrant... I wonder if there will be a protest rally?
This is the greatest most profound prayer I ever recite. I had few dream visions from these prayer chaplets over the years. True on individuals in my family and friends. They eventually died. I went to the priest about it. He said just pray your interceding for them to be in a state of grace. One vision is our country ends with Obama as president. I have it on my profile. I have been doing it since 2003. Remember Jesus told Sister Faustina this is for the last days before his second coming. Pope John Paul knew this too. So we are in the real last days. I believe we will bee knocked out as world power then it all speeds towards the real tribulation of the book of Revelation.
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