Sunday, April 24, is Divine Mercy Sunday, the Second Sunday of the Easter season. It was named by Pope St. John Paul II. This feast of Divine Mercy can be seen, as the summary of the. of Holy Week and Easter Sunday. The feast focuses the light of the Risen Christ into a radiant beam of merciful love and grace for the whole world.
In his revelations to St. Faustina Jesus expressed His desire to celebrate this special feast. He says that the Feast of Mercy emerged from his very depths of tenderness and mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of his Mercy.
Jesus says that the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened and let no soul fear to draw near to him, even though his sins be as scarlet because the Feast of Mercy emerged from the very depths of his tenderness.
In a moment of danger with faith, call Lord: Jesus, I trust in you. Our father is God of mercy. He cares for us and guides us through life to the port of salvation.
Trust him and you will get there safely.
A plenary indulgence is available to those who observe Divine Mercy Sunday following the usual prescriptions – Sacramental Confession, reception of Holy Communion, free from all attachment to sin.
Fitting ways to commemorate Divine Mercy Sunday:
• Sincerely repent of all of our sins.
• Place our complete trust in Jesus.
• Go to Confession.
• Receive Holy Communion.
• Venerate the Image of the Divine Mercy, e.g. a bow before the image.
• Be merciful to others through our prayers, words, and actions.
Jesus said to sister Faustina: This Feast emerged from the very depths of My mercy, and it is confirmed in the vast depths of My tender mercies (420). It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter…
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 fountain of My mercy (699).
Prayer of Entrustment to the Divine Mercy
O Lord, our God.
We place our trust in You,
Because you are mercy itself.
We repent of our sins and turn to You for mercy. We trust You to provide for our every need, according to Your will.
Help us to forgive others as You forgive us.
We promise to be merciful by our deeds, words and prayers.
Though we have fears because of human weakness, we rely on Your infinite goodness and mercy.
We entrust to You the future of our planet, our Church, our nations, our families and all our needs.
With loud cries we implore your mercy on us and on the whole world.
Look upon us, created in your image and likeness. Form us in the Heart of Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit into the living images of mercy.
May all come to know the depth of Your mercy and sing the praises of Your mercy forever.