Divine Mercy Sunday

Divine Mercy Sunday:

Divine Mercy Sunday And Saint Faustina

Sr. Faustina Kowalska - The Apostle of Mercy :

Sr. Faustina Kowalska - The Apostle of Mercy Saint Faustina was born Helena Kowalska in a small village in Poland on August 25, 1905. From a very young age she was known for her devotion to prayer, obedience, and a concern for the poor. In 1925 at the age of 20 she was called to the religious life and entered the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy. She worked as a cook, gardener, and porter.

Secretary of His Mercy:

Secretary of His Mercy She had a deep love of the Holy Eucharist and special devotion to Mary, the Mother of Mercy. In time she would receive special graces from God and would have revelations, visions, hidden stigmata, a participation in our Lord’s Passion, and the ability of reading human souls, & prophesy. St. Faustina wrote in her Diary about the encounters between her soul and the Lord. Her mission was to share the urgent message of Divine Mercy with our world and was given three ways to do it.

Devotion:

Devotion 1) She reminded us from scripture about God’s mercy for every human being. 2) Beg Divine Mercy for the whole world, by practicing a new form of devotion to “The Divine Mercy.” 3) Teach the apostolic movement of the Divine Mercy by proclaiming and begging Divine Mercy for the world and trying to practice the works of mercy by following St. Faustina’s example. The devotion was brought to the U.S. in 1941 but banned in 1958 due to some confusing documents.

The Investigation:

The Investigation In 1965, an investigation, by the Archbishop of Krakow, Poland, examined the life & virtues of Sr. Faustina. In April 1978, the ban was lifted. That October, the Cardinal of Poland was named Pope - John Paul II, who made it his responsibility to spread the Divine Mercy message and devotion. On April 30, 2000 Pope John Paul II canonized Sr. Faustina and her feast day is celebrated each October 5 th which also marks the anniversary of her death from tuberculosis in 1938 at the age of 33. She wrote and suffered in secret, with only her spiritual director and some of her superiors aware that anything special was taking place in her life. Her closest associates were amazed as they discovered the great sufferings and deep mystical experiences which had been given to their Sister. But that is the sign of a true visionary to avoid publicity.

Second Sunday of Easter “Divine Mercy Sunday”:

Second Sunday of Easter “Divine Mercy Sunday” Jesus requested that the second Sunday of Easter be set aside as Divine Mercy Sunday, with these words: “ I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment." Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My mercy.

Easter Mystery of the Redemption:

Easter Mystery of the Redemption At the canonization of St. Faustina, Pope John Paul II said, “It is important that we accept the whole message that comes from the word of God on Divine Mercy Sunday. That is the connection of the suffering, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, followed by the sending of the Holy Spirit .”

To Prepare Ourselves for Divine Mercy Sunday We Need To::

To Prepare Ourselves for Divine Mercy Sunday We Need To: Sincerely repent of all our sins; Place our complete trust in Jesus; Go to Confession, preferably before that Sunday; Receive Holy Communion on the day of the Feast; Venerate the Image of The Divine Mercy; Be merciful to others, through our actions, words, and prayers on their behalf.