The Message
Lesson One — The Cenacle Concept
One of the most effective ways of receiving and extending Divine Mercy can be found in small groups. The concept of small Christian communities where the faith is instilled and deepened in those gathered in an atmosphere of song, prayer, sharing, and fellowship is nothing new. The early Church started with only 12 apostles and a few hundred disciples. Converts were added daily.
As we have seen, the concept of small, faith-sharing communities is as old as the Church itself. Catholicism's Jewish tradition itself is more centered on a home environment than on large liturgical gatherings. The earliest followers of Christ met in the Temple to give thanks and worship to God liturgically, but they also met in homes to break bread (the Eucharist), absorb the teachings of the Apostles, to pray, and to nurture the communal life (see Acts 2). In countries where the Church is persecuted, the cenacle is still the basic unit of our corporate faith: to meet in small groups in homes, sharing our faith and supporting one another in the journey of faith.
In imitation of the meetings of the first Christians in the cenacle, Eucharistic Apostles of The Divine Mercy meet in small groups to have fellowship, deepen their Catholic faith, enhance their knowledge of The Divine Mercy message, share their struggles and joys in applying it to life in the family and workplace, and live out this faith together by performing the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
In 1975, Pope Paul VI said that small Christian communities have unlimited potential to become a major force in the Church in years to come. The late Pope John Paul II urged the establishment of small communities within parishes where the faithful can communicate the word of God and express it in service and love to one another. He indicated that such communities, in communion with their pastors, are true expressions of ecclesial communion and centers of evangelization. Upon reviewing the mission of the Eucharistic Apostles of The Divine Mercy in 1998, he bestowed upon EADM his blessing, encouraging the development of cenacles committed especially to this ministry of prayer, study, and service.
Each cenacle has a spiritual mentor and a lay facilitator. Under their direction, cenacle members determine a common day of the week and time of day to schedule their meetings. To become an official member of EADM and to receive materials and ongoing support from the coordination team, each member should enroll with the ministry — either online or by calling 1-800-462-7426.
Each member of a cenacle has a specific role and set of responsibilities.
Group Cenacle Format and Guidelines (best applicable to cenacles with 10 to 15 people)
— 15 minutes, songs of praise and worship
— 5 minutes, prayers of gratitude (not petition)
— 30-45 minutes, follow the formation guidelines from the Cenacle Formation Manual; relate these guidelines to our own lives, struggles, and spiritual walk.
— 15 minutes, prayers of petition
— 10 The Divine Mercy Chaplet
— 30-45 minutes, social time/fellowship
The group members should read Sacred Scripture, the Catechism, and the Diary of Saint Faustina entries noted, and come to each gathering prepared to discuss and share thoughts on the readings. Each should try to internalize a line or two from the above and apply it to one's life situation. As one reads the Diary, one becomes aware that it is consistent with Sacred Scripture.
Materials Needed for Your Cenacle
Each member will want to have:
• a Holy Bible
• a Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Diary of Saint Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul
• Cenacle Formation Manuals I, II, and III
• the Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II, Dives in Misericordia (Rich in Mercy).
Questions for Discussion:
The goals of the first show are to better understand the EADM ministry, what a Divine Mercy cenacle is and the prescribed format, and the Church's message to laity about the formation of small Christian communities. A vital aspect of the group is faith-sharing, where members discuss the readings and how they relate to their personal lives.
1. Why form a cenacle?
2. What did Pope Paul VI say about small Christian communities and their role in the Church?
3. What are materials needed to form a cenacle?
Do you have questions about starting a cenacle? Call us at 1-877-380-0727.