By Julia Rose
Hi! I’m Julia, and I recently joined the Editorial Department at the Marian Helpers Center here at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. I’m excited to be a part of the Marian Fathers’ mission of evangelization, and that includes reporting on what’s happening at our amazing and beautiful National Shrine.
Join me every Friday as I get to know better this treasure on Eden Hill and meet some of the pilgrims. I hope this will encourage you to plan your own pilgrimage to Stockbridge in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts. The National Shrine is open year-round, and everything you need to know is posted on ShrineofDivineMercy.org.
Let’s get started!
Stations of the Cross
Thirteen years ago, the Shrine was blessed to install a life-size Stations of the Cross, composed of more than 50 bronze statues created by Timothy Schmalz, the famous Catholic-Canadian sculptor. Fun fact: if you ever go on a pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy, you will find another one of his sculptures, St. Carlo at the Cross, honoring St. Carlo Acutis.
Just as St. Carlo used the internet to display his love for Jesus, so too does Tina, a pilgrim from Auburn, Massachusetts. Tina has created an online Catholic apostolate on YouTube with more than 15,000 subscribers who follow her reflections on the daily Mass readings, the Bible, and the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska.
“The Stations of the Cross were extremely moving because they were so life-like, so real,” she said. “A visit to Stockbridge is so worth it. It is so worth it. You won’t be sorry. Awe-struck is probably the best word I can use to describe what I experienced today.”
Join the Marian Fathers every Friday in October, weather permitting, for Stations of the Cross. No ticket required; meet in front of the Shrine at 10:50 a.m. The devotion lasts 35-40 minutes. More details here.
Polish Day
Every year, the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy is thrilled to host various ethnic days of celebration including Filipino Day, Encuentro Latino, and Vietnamese Day. Last Saturday, September 20, we hosted the final ethnic day of 2025: Polish Day!
The Marian Fathers have a rich Polish history, having been founded in Poland more than 350 years ago by St. Stanislaus Papczyński, and of course St. Faustina, the Apostle of Divine Mercy. For one family in particular, Polish Day has become an annual tradition.
For more than 19 years, Marta and Gabe have been pilgrims to the Shrine, and at one point even employees! Parishioners of St. Peter’s in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, they have found “amazing peace” at the Shrine. Gabe is 100% Polish, so for Marta, Gabe, and their children, this celebration on Eden Hill is always special!
“It’s like a great ‘A-ha!’ moment every time we come here,” Gabe said. Not only do they bring their family to the Shrine throughout the year, but they also make a point to volunteer on Divine Mercy Sunday and Encuentro Latino. Three of their children, Bridget, Monica, and Gianna, even travelled to the Shrine last spring as part of their school’s Jubilee Pilgrimages.
While the family isn’t completely fluent, they always say Grace and their bedtime prayers in Polish, a beautiful tradition.
“Pray for the souls that came before us and for God’s Mercy,” Gabe said. “The world needs God’s Mercy.” It sure does!
The National Shrine will be commemorating St. Faustina’s feast day on Monday, Oct. 6 – as her usual feast, Oct. 5, is a Sunday this year. A full day of wonderful events are planned, including a talk by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, a special Blessing with a Relic of St. Faustina during the Hour of Great Mercy, and a book signing by Kevin Wilson of his book, The Saint I Knew!, featuring St. Faustina. More details here.
Blessed Medals
Shrine pilgrims have many reasons for visiting: Mass, Confession, the 3:00 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet, Stations of the Cross, and even the incredible Divine Mercy Gift Shop. Jane from St. Thomas Parish in West Hartford, Connecticut, came for a different reason: a blessing.
Last month, Jane’s daughter was in a bad car accident. Her vehicle was completely totaled, but her daughter miraculously emerged unharmed! Jane is convinced of the reason: she had secretly hidden a St. Benedict medal in her car, blessed by one of the Marian Fathers for protection.
“Everybody in my family has a secret medal in their car!” Jane says.
It’s not just Jane’s children who have a blessed medal: her dog and her daughter’s dog have them too, hanging on their collars! In fact, the canines have three: St. Benedict, a Miraculous Medal, and St. Francis of Assisi. Jane came to the Shrine this week for more blessed medals.
The Shrine honors St. Francis on his feast day, Saturday, Oct. 4, with a Blessing of the Animals. Bring your pets at 10:30 a.m.! More details here.
More news and pilgrim views next Friday!
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