.png)
Divine Mercy Sunday, celebrated on the Sunday following Easter, stands as a profound reminder of God's unfailing love and forgiveness. This special feast invites us to trust completely in Jesus, whose mercy knows no bounds. As members of the St. John the Evangelist community, we embrace this celebration with open hearts, recognizing that Divine Mercy isn't just a devotion – it's the very heart of our faith.
The Story Behind Divine Mercy Sunday
In the 1930s, a humble Polish nun named Sister Faustina Kowalska began receiving private revelations from Jesus. Our Lord appeared to her, asking that a feast dedicated to His Divine Mercy be established on the Sunday after Easter. In her diary, Sister Faustina recorded Jesus saying: "I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, especially poor sinners. On that day, the very depths of My tender mercy are open."
Pope St. John Paul II brought this request to fulfillment when he canonized Sr. Faustina on April 30, 2000, officially establishing Divine Mercy Sunday for the universal Church. This date wasn't chosen by chance – it coincides with the completion of the Easter Octave, highlighting that God's mercy flows directly from Christ's Paschal sacrifice.
Why Divine Mercy Matters
Divine Mercy Sunday reminds us that no sin is beyond God's forgiveness. When we approach the Lord with sincere hearts, His mercy washes over us like the rays in the Divine Mercy image – cleansing, healing, and restoring. This feast offers extraordinary graces, particularly for those who receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist around this day.
The message of Divine Mercy speaks to everyone – from those carrying heavy burdens of sin to faithful souls seeking deeper conversion. It reassures us that God's love isn't earned but freely given, and it challenges us to extend that same mercy to others.
How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a simple yet powerful prayer that can be prayed using standard rosary beads. Here's how to pray it:
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross, followed by one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Apostles' Creed.
- On the Our Father beads, pray: "Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world."
- On the Hail Mary beads, pray: "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."
- After completing five decades, conclude with: "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world" (repeated three times).
- Optional closing prayer: "Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself."
Many faithful pray this chaplet daily at 3:00 PM, the Hour of Mercy, when Jesus died on the cross.
Observing Divine Mercy Sunday
There are many beautiful ways to observe this feast:
- Attend Mass and receive Holy Communion in a state of grace
- Go to Confession before or on Divine Mercy Sunday
- Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, especially at 3:00 PM
- Venerate the image of Divine Mercy
- Perform works of mercy for others
- Learn more about St. Faustina and the message of Divine Mercy
The Image of Divine Mercy
The Divine Mercy image shows Jesus with rays of red and pale light flowing from His heart. As He explained to St. Faustina, "The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls." At the bottom are the words, "Jesus, I trust in You."
This image reminds us that Christ's mercy flows continuously from His sacrifice on the cross, offering healing and redemption to all who turn to Him with trust.
Living Divine Mercy Every Day
Divine Mercy isn't confined to a single Sunday. We're called to make mercy our way of life throughout the year. This means offering forgiveness when it's difficult, showing compassion to those in need, and remembering always that we ourselves depend entirely on God's mercy.
St. Faustina wrote in her diary: "Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful... that my ears may be merciful... that my tongue may be merciful... that my hands may be merciful... that my feet may be merciful... that my heart may be merciful."
In these challenging times, the message of Divine Mercy offers hope and healing. It reminds us that God's love is stronger than our sins, stronger than our fears, stronger even than death itself. When we place our trust in Jesus' mercy, we open ourselves to His transforming grace.
Remember: No matter what you've done, no matter how far you feel from God, His mercy is waiting for you. All He asks is that you turn to Him and say, "Jesus, I trust in You."