The Divine Mercy Novena
Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said:
"These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."
Feast of the Divine Mercy
This week, the whole of Christendom once again commemorates our Lord Jesus Christ's passion, death and resurrection. It is a time to reflect over how we have lived our lives as Christians and how we have followed the example set by Jesus. It is likewise a perfect time to repent for our sins, return to the Lord, and be blessed with His overflowing love and eternal mercy. The Sunday following Easter Sunday is also a fitting time to recall how merciful the Lord Jesus is despite our sinfulness, as we celebrate the Feast of the Divine Mercy.
The Feast of the Divine Mercy was established by the late Pope John Paul II (who coincidentally died on the vigil of the Divine Mercy Sunday in 2005) on April 30, 2000 on the occasion of Blessed Sister Faustina's canonization. The Feast is dedicated to the Devotion to the Divine Mercy and is celebrated on the first Sunday following Easter. In the Philippines, there is a National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Bulacan which is a popular destination during Holy Week for people doing Bisita Iglesia, and for others fervently praying for personal intentions and healing.
The liturgical readings of the Second Sunday of Easter affirm the appropriateness of the Divine Mercy Sunday: "They speak of the blood and water that was poured out from the Savior's heart and about the sacraments of Baptism and Confession and about His mercy." The Gospel of the Day also speaks of the wonderful things that Jesus did on the day of His resurrection during His first public appearance.
Similar to all other celebrations in the Church's calendar, certain preparations are to be made before the Feast of the Divine Mercy. In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus willed the Divine Mercy Sunday to be preceded by a novena commencing on Good Friday. Each day of the novena will bring to His mercy a different group of souls and shall be prayed for penance and absolution. Aside from praying this novena, believers are also admonished to confess, receive the Holy Communion and pray for the intentions of the Pope in order to be granted plenary indulgence. In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus encouraged believers: "Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind…will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity." (Diary of Sr. Faustina, 699)
It is our hope to have shared something to ponder upon – something that would enlighten our weary hearts. At a time of seeming uncertainty, reflection and appreciation of the Divine Mercy is a timely and flourishing source of Jesus' redeeming grace.
The Divine Mercy Sunday Indulgence
On 29 June 2002, the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See promulgated a decree creating new indulgences that may be gained by the faithful in connection with the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday. This decree grants a plenary indulgence to those who comply with all the conditions established, and a partial indulgence to those who incompletely fulfill the conditions.
Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said:
"These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."
Feast of the Divine Mercy
This week, the whole of Christendom once again commemorates our Lord Jesus Christ's passion, death and resurrection. It is a time to reflect over how we have lived our lives as Christians and how we have followed the example set by Jesus. It is likewise a perfect time to repent for our sins, return to the Lord, and be blessed with His overflowing love and eternal mercy. The Sunday following Easter Sunday is also a fitting time to recall how merciful the Lord Jesus is despite our sinfulness, as we celebrate the Feast of the Divine Mercy.
The Feast of the Divine Mercy was established by the late Pope John Paul II (who coincidentally died on the vigil of the Divine Mercy Sunday in 2005) on April 30, 2000 on the occasion of Blessed Sister Faustina's canonization. The Feast is dedicated to the Devotion to the Divine Mercy and is celebrated on the first Sunday following Easter. In the Philippines, there is a National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Bulacan which is a popular destination during Holy Week for people doing Bisita Iglesia, and for others fervently praying for personal intentions and healing.
The liturgical readings of the Second Sunday of Easter affirm the appropriateness of the Divine Mercy Sunday: "They speak of the blood and water that was poured out from the Savior's heart and about the sacraments of Baptism and Confession and about His mercy." The Gospel of the Day also speaks of the wonderful things that Jesus did on the day of His resurrection during His first public appearance.
Similar to all other celebrations in the Church's calendar, certain preparations are to be made before the Feast of the Divine Mercy. In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus willed the Divine Mercy Sunday to be preceded by a novena commencing on Good Friday. Each day of the novena will bring to His mercy a different group of souls and shall be prayed for penance and absolution. Aside from praying this novena, believers are also admonished to confess, receive the Holy Communion and pray for the intentions of the Pope in order to be granted plenary indulgence. In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus encouraged believers: "Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind…will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity." (Diary of Sr. Faustina, 699)
It is our hope to have shared something to ponder upon – something that would enlighten our weary hearts. At a time of seeming uncertainty, reflection and appreciation of the Divine Mercy is a timely and flourishing source of Jesus' redeeming grace.
The Divine Mercy Sunday Indulgence
On 29 June 2002, the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See promulgated a decree creating new indulgences that may be gained by the faithful in connection with the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday. This decree grants a plenary indulgence to those who comply with all the conditions established, and a partial indulgence to those who incompletely fulfill the conditions.
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Blessings+
Deacon John
Sent from Mt Dora, Florida, United States
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