Devotion Promotion

Devotion to Jesus, The Divine Mercy, in the forms given through St. Faustina, continues to grow in a number of ways throughout the United States and the world. St. Faustina's promise to draw aside the veil and help us realize the truth of the message is being lived out through the work of many. Some may simply hand out cards with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy on them and teach others about the message, while others organize special events in their parishes. Some may even buy copies of the Diary of St. Faustina to give to people they know who may have an interest in reading it. The Mother of Mercy Messengers (MOMM) continue to travel around the United States giving multimedia presentations on the message of divine mercy.

Recently, some Catholic youth in Stetsonville, Wisconsin, learned about St. Faustina and divine mercy by listening to a recording of MOMM's presentation. The youths are part of a youth group movement known as the Dead Theologians Society. While it may sound a bit sinister, it's a group that dedicates itself to the study of Scripture, the lives of the saints, intercession for the souls in purgatory, and adoration of the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The meeting, in a darkened room with candles, incense, and Eucharistic adoration evoked a sense of ancient worship and the thought of the early Christians in the catacombs. Although the presentation was recorded, it still produced a powerful reaction among the youth, and a number of them prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the first time.

Promoting the divine mercy message and devotion is definitely a grassroots initiative. Although much has been done, the number of Catholics that know anything about this is still a minority. We should all pray that God will give us the wisdom to promote it in new and creative ways.

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On the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (June 16), we ask, "What is the difference between the devotion of the Sacred Heart and the Divine Mercy message?"

We will not presume to outline here the whole teaching of St. Catherine's masterpiece, The Dialogue. Rather we will focus on the theme of Divine Mercy as it appears in the book.

"Our Lady, I know that you are very gracious and cannot help loving us whom your Son and your God has loved with the greatest love. Who can tell how often you allay the ire of the Judge when the virtue of divine justice is about to strike?"