Pastoral Impressions for Divine Mercy Sunday, April 7, 2024
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Since the year 2000, the Church has celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday on the 2nd Sunday of Easter. What is this celebration all about? In the 1930s, Jesus appeared to a religious sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland, St. Faustina Kowalska, and revealed his great desire for the salvation of souls. In her diary, St. Faustina records the words of Jesus: “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners.” (699) This feast, implemented by St. John Paul II, does not reveal any new attribute of our Lord, but instead highlights Jesus’ desire that all may turn to him for healing, forgiveness, and grace.
St. Faustina commissioned a portrait of the Lord to be painted which we now know as the Divine Mercy image. It depicts the Risen Lord with two rays, red and pale blue in color, emanating from His Sacred Heart. The red ray represents the blood of Christ which has redeemed us, and the pale blue represents water that cleanses us, especially in baptism. The bottom of the painting has the words, “Jesus, I trust in You.” Along with this devotion, there is a chaplet of Divine Mercy, prayed on ordinary rosary beads, which the Lord recommended be prayed daily to receive his mercy.
Parish Devotion: Resurrection Parish will celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday by offering adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Thomas More Church immediately following the 11:30 a.m. Mass until 3:00 p.m. We will then pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3:00 p.m. and conclude with benediction. Following our devotions, we will have an ice cream social in the Family Life Center. Please consider coming to ask the Lord for His mercy in our lives and in our parish. All are welcome.
Easter Blessings to you all,
Fr. Mike