The Marian Fathers extend a warm invitation to come to Eden Hill on April 15 and 16 to experience this annual celebration. Admission is free. Online bus registration has closed, but private vehicles are welcome with no registration required. Details here.
View this year's Divine Mercy Weekend program.
Read local and national news coverage:
National Catholic Register (1)
National Catholic Register (2)
Catholic News Agency
Berkshire Eagle
OSV News
Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts
Questions about Divine Mercy Sunday? We have the answers!
Saturday, April 15, 2023, 7:30 a.m.
Bright sunshine and cooler temperatures atop Eden Hill, where a veritable tent city has arisen to accommodate an estimated 15,000 pilgrims this weekend! We are ready to welcome you!
It takes a small army of dedicated, hard-working, faith-filled volunteers to ensure a smooth operation of Divine Mercy Weekend – in fact, more than
600 this year! Among these are
Dennis and Jo-Ann Pesino from Waterbury, Connecticut, and
Joyce Ryan from Dalton, Massachusetts, all 30-year veterans! This year, Dennis is on traffic control duty, and Joanne and Joyce are overseeing the 50 Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist at the outdoor Masses on Saturday and Sunday.
You are guaranteed a
warm welcome on Eden Hill, thanks to our intrepid volunteers!
Saturday, April 15, 2023, 9:00 a.m.
The
Blessed Sacrament is transferred from the National Shrine to the
Adoration Tent, where pilgrims can come and adore Our Lord all day.
Saturday, April 15, 2023, 10:00 a.m
HAPPENING NOW: Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, speaks at the
Mercy Weekend Conference on "“St. Joseph, Protector of the Eucharist.”
“Joseph is coming through in ways that are shocking,” Fr. Donald said, describing some of the incredible fruits of devotion to St. Joseph he’s seeing in the world today, especially the recent Year of St. Joseph (2000-2001), as a special gift from Heaven for our age. “He is so untapped — he is a reservoir of grace.”
Father Calloway discussed the state of the culture and the Church today, addressing St. Joseph’s role in interceding for the Church, the world, and our families as the traditional understandings of gender, sexuality, and marriage are attacked. Citing Venerable Mary of Agreda, he shared that she had recorded the fruits of devotion to St. Joseph, the first of which is purity. “My friends, go to St. Joseph right now for mercy.” READ & WATCH: The Divine Mercy Weekend Conference.
Priests are available to hear
Confessions on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Preparations under way at the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine for the
Vigil Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday at 4:00 p.m.
The Divine Mercy Prayer Banner is hanging in the sanctuary, featuring intentions sent in by Marian Helpers.
The enormous
Gift Shop Tent is open, featuring a wide array of devotional items!
When you are ready to check out, say hello to
Peter Markavage, known to millions of viewers of Fr. Chris Alar's
"Explaining the Faith" Saturday talks as Peter James!
And our volunteers are ready to help you with
Mass Enrollments and Intentions!Saturday, April 15, 2023, 10:45 a.m.
Bob Williams, a Knight of Columbus from Easthampton, Massachusetts, is volunteering today at the outdoor
Stations of the Cross. "To me, Divine Mercy means peace," he says. "You get together with God. It's as simple as that."
Barb Kozlowski from Albany and Buffalo, New York, is stationed at the
Marian Press table in the
Gift Shop Tent, featuring the latest book by Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC,
Eucharistic Gems: Daily Wisdom on the Blessed Sacrament. "Divine Mercy to me means I can go to God with any issue, and have a relationship with Him, and He will be merciful."
Do you have the
Image of Divine Mercy in your home, as Jesus requested? Teresa Betonio from Virginia will help you choose one in the
Gift Shop Tent. Saturday, April 15, 2023, 11:00 a.m.
HAPPENING NOW: Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, speaks at the
Mercy Weekend Conference on “Eucharistic Miracles and the Real Presence of Christ.”
He began by sharing the many connections between the Divine Mercy message and devotion and the Eucharist, especially Divine Mercy Sunday Mass. “Divine Mercy is loving the unlovable and forgiving the unforgivable,” said Fr. Chris, exhorting anyone with any unforgiveness in their hearts to take advantage of the many opportunities for Confession during Mercy Weekend. “Nobody is worth losing your soul over, no matter what they’ve done.” READ & WATCH: The Divine Mercy Weekend Conference.
Visiting from Maine, veteran pilgrim Paul Madore (right) brought his friend, Marcel Chaloux, to experience Divine Mercy Weekend for the first time. "Divine Mercy means an awful lot to me," Paul says. "Coming here to the Shrine is probably one of the most healing experiences I have ever had in my life. Spiritually, psychologically – it's a refreshing of the heart. There's nothing like being here."
All smiles at the registration table are Association of Marian Helpers employees Hope Ponsart Hansen and Karen Larkin.
Saturday, April 15, 2023, 1:15 p.m.
Time for a lunch break under the trees. Veterans of Divine Mercy Weekends past marvel at today's glorious weather, sunny, breezy, not too hot. They swap stories of bitter cold, snow, rain, and mud. We are truly lucky – make that blessed – this year!
The Coles Family from Tolland County, Connecticut found a shady spot for luncn. Dad Tyler used to come to the National Shrine as a child, and now brings his own family.
Saturday, April 15, 2023, 3:00 p.m.
Pilgrims gather at the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine for the
Solemn Novena of Divine Mercy and Benediction. Today is the final day of The Divine Mercy Novena.
"Today bring to Me SOULS WHO HAVE BECOME LUKEWARM, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy." Saturday, April 15, 2023, 4:00 p.m.
It is time to celebrate the
Vigil Mass of Divine Mercy Sunday. The celebrant was
Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC, Rector of the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy.
Father Allen Alexander, MIC, gave the homily.
"What a great gift it is to be here, to celebrate this special day!" Fr. Allen said in his homily. "Peace be with you! Jesus wants us to be at peace. Let us receive the Lord's blessing. Let us turn with trust to His mercy. Let us fulfill His request in the
Diary and snuggle to His Divine Mercy so that we might be at peace, and we might share that peace with this hurting world."
Father Allen Alexander, MIC, distributes Holy Communion.
Saturday, April 15, 2023, 5:45 p.m.
That's a wrap for Day 1 of Divine Mercy Weekend! Tune in tomorrow for the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday!
{shopmercy-ad}
