Reaching the world is a tall order. How does one begin?
You start by working to improve your little corner of it. You do what you can to make the world a little better than you find it. So how can you spread The Divine Mercy message? One of the best ways is to promote it in your parish, starting with the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday.
Many pastors need to hear about Divine Mercy Sunday, a universal feast of the Church as designated by Pope John Paul II (celebrated April 11 this year).
Tips from Fr. George
In encouraging your pastor to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, keep in mind the following points from Why Mercy Sunday? by Fr. George Kosicki, CSB:
Don't badger - Divine Mercy is still a young movement in the Church. Saint Faustina received her revelations in the 1930s. Divine Mercy Sunday was not declared a feast day until April 30, 2000. There are many reasons why a priest might not know about Divine Mercy. Share your concerns with your pastor, but don't become a pest. Be patient.
Pray - Pray for your pastor and your parish. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and bless them.
Get into action - Lead by example. Show what mercy looks like in action. Volunteer in the parish. Look for ways to serve. Perform works of mercy. Visit nursing homes and hospitals. Join a prayer group. Help out at a soup kitchen. There are many opportunities to serve.
Share your experience - Let people know how Divine Mercy has touched your life. You have a personal involvement with this devotion, so use your own experience as the basis for sharing.
Throw the book at 'em - Distribute literature on Divine Mercy such as leaflets, pamphlets, and prayercards. Also encourage the parish to display the image of The Divine Mercy.
FAQs on Divine Mercy Sunday
Some common questions or concerns might come up that deserve a response.
Q. Does Divine Mercy Sunday interfere with the Easter liturgy?
A. No. It is the Octave Day for the Easter celebration and part of Easter itself.
Q. The Vatican decree describes the day as "the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday." Does "or" mean the celebration is optional?
A. No. The Latin original uses the word seu, which means "namely" or "that is." The better translation is "the Second Sunday of Easter, that is, Divine Mercy Sunday."
Q. Is Divine Mercy historical?
A. Yes. Divine Mercy Sunday is rooted in the Octave Day of Easter, which the early Church celebrated as "the birthday of salvation." Saint Augustine also called Octave Day "the compendium of the days of mercy" and the second perfection of Easter.
Q. What's the urgency of Divine Mercy Sunday? Why now?
A. We lived in troubled times. We need the enormous graces available to us on Divine Mercy Sunday: Go to the Diary of St. Faustina entry 699. That contains the most complete revelation about the "ocean of graces" available on Divine Mercy Sunday.
Five Steps of Preparation
How should you prepare for Divine Mercy Sunday? We share this advice from Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, an authority on God's mercy and the life of St. Faustina. Father Seraphim mentions five key points:
First, trust in Jesus. Trust opens our hearts to God. Trust means accepting His will over our will. Preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday should be geared toward opening that door to His mercy and strengthening our trust in Him.
Second, venerate the image of Jesus as The Divine Mercy. The image is a visual summary of Jesus' Passion, Death, and Resurrection. It brings us into contact with the Merciful Christ.
Third, go to confession. Our Lord told St. Faustina that to receive the special graces on Divine Mercy Sunday, we must sincerely repent. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we can come to Divine Mercy Sunday in a state of grace. You don't have to go to confession on the feast day itself. Saint Faustina herself made her confession on the Saturday before Divine Mercy Sunday (see Diary, 1072).
Fourth, attend Mass more often, receive Holy Communion as the great Sacrament of Mercy, and spend time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Fifth, be merciful. Without deeds of mercy, devotion is hollow. Be merciful in deeds and in your prayer life. Pray for those in greatest need, including your enemies. Jesus requires that we show mercy to others by our deeds, words, and prayers.
Do you wish to know more about the message of The Divine Mercy, including Divine Mercy Sunday? If so, the Marians are offering a Free Divine Mercy Packet. Learn more.
Dan Valenti writes for numerous publications of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, both in print and online. He is the author of Dan Valenti's Mercy Journal.
