Mary Mother of God

Roman Catholic Church

A Holy Hour

in Celebration of 

The Feast of Divine Mercy

Not in the beauty of the color, nor of the brush, lies the
 greatness of this image, but in My grace. (Diary 313)

 

A Brief History of

The Feast of Divine Mercy

Our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to a humble Polish nun, Sr. Faustina Kowalska, in 1931, and requested that the Sunday after Easter be established as the Feast of Divine Mercy. Jesus said to her, “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy... The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment… Let no soul fear to draw near to me, even though it’s sins be as scarlet.”*

Pope John Paul II, not only approved this devotion, but was also one of its greatest proponents. On June 7, 1997, he made a special visit to the Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki, Poland. After praying at the Tomb of St. Faustina, the Holy Father said,“There is nothing that man needs more than Divine Mercy -- that love which is benevolent, which is compassionate, which raises man above his weakness to the infinite heights of the holiness of God… I give thanks to Divine Providence that I have been enabled to contribute personally to the fulfillment of Christ's will, through the institution of the Feast of Divine Mercy…”

On April 30, 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized Sr. Faustina Kowalska as the first saint of the Great Jubilee Year, and officially declared the first Sunday after Easter to be the Feast of Divine Mercy. In 2002, the Church officially offered an indulgence for the Feast:

The Supreme Pontiff, motivated by an ardent desire to foster in Christians this devotion to Divine Mercy as much as possible in the hope of offering great spiritual fruit to the faithful, in the Audience granted on 13 June 2002, to those Responsible for the Apostolic Penitentiary, granted the following Indulgences:

A plenary indulgence, granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honour of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!); 

A partial indulgence, granted to the faithful who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation."

Jesus also asked that this Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena which would begin on Good Friday. In her diary, Faustina wrote that Jesus told her: “On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy … On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls.”*

Our Lord promised that if we humbly celebrate this feast of His Mercy in accordance with His directives as given to St. Faustina, all the sins of our lives and the punishment due to them, will be forgiven – wiped out – we will be a new creation – as if we were newly baptized! Jesus said, “My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout all eternity.”* This is an awesome promise from our awesome God!

How to Celebrate 

Divine Mercy Sunday

You may receive the awesome promise of God’s Divine Mercy by attending any Mass with the intention of receiving His great mercy and following the other directives outlined below. There are however special 3PM Divine Mercy Masses throughout our diocese that may be attended. You may get information about them from the Catholic Spirit. Two in particular are sponsored by our Diocesan Divine Mercy Apostolate: one at St. Francis Cathedral in Metuchen and the other at the Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in Raritan. Arrive very early as these Masses are very popular, and there are special prayers which start before the Mass.

To fittingly observe the Feast of Divine Mercy according to Our Lord’s directive, we all must:

1. Celebrate the Feast on the Sunday after Easter; (can be done on this day at any Mass with this intention) and pray for the intentions of Our Pope 

2. Sincerely repent of all our sins;

3. Place our complete trust in Jesus; Trust in His message of mercy - the graces of His mercy are dependent on our trust. Jesus said, “I am Love and Mercy itself. When a soul approaches Me with trust, I fill it with an abundance of graces that it cannot contain them within itself, but radiates them to other souls.”*

4. Go to Confession, preferably 8 days before or after that Sunday;

5. Receive Holy Communion on the day of the Feast;

6. Venerate the Image of the Divine Mercy; (which Jesus instructed St. Faustina to have painted) Jesus said, “I want the image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it.”*

7. Be merciful to others, through our actions, words and prayers on their behalf.

* All excerpts and meditations taken from “Divine Mercy in My Soul – the Diary of Sr. M. Faustina Kowalska”, Marian Press, Stockbridge, MA 01263

A Holy Hour in Celebration of

Divine Mercy Sunday 

PLEASE NOTE: In this program, the parts to be sung or spoken by everyone present are in bold italic.
 
We begin our Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.  (Please kneel as the Blessed Sacrament is removed from the tabernacle)

Please join in singing “O Salutaris”:

O Salutaris Hostia

Quae caeli pandis ostium.

Bella premunt hostilia 

Da robur, fer auxilium.

Uni trinoque Domino

Sit sempiterna Gloria.

Qui vitam sine termino

Nobis donet in patria.

Amen 

By St. Thomas Aquinas, 1264 - Public Domain


(You may be seated)

The Blessing of the Image 

Almighty and Eternal Father, in your goodness, bless and sanctify this Image of The Divine Mercy, Your dearly beloved Son, which has been fashioned to reveal to us the great love of our Crucified and Risen Savior, who is The Divine Mercy Personified. Help us recall to our minds the streams of Blood and Water that had gushed forth from His pierced Heart to be for us a continuous fount of mercy.  Grant to all who invoke Your Mercy with this Image before their eyes, the grace of true repentance, pardon and peace.  Shield them from every danger to soul and body in this life.

Jesus, our loving Savior, establish in this Image the Throne of Your Mercy.  Pour out upon all of us, who approach it with faith and trust, the purifying, healing and sanctifying rays of grace ever emanating from it as a blazing star.  Gaze upon us as you did from the Cross with your great love and mercy so that we may be filled with your grace.

Through this Image, may Your Divine Mercy triumph over all the powers of evil.  May all who venerate this Image never perish.  May it be their joy in life, their hope in death, and their glory in eternity for ever and ever.

This we ask through Jesus Christ Our Lord.  

ALL: Amen!

We will spend about 5 minutes in silent adoration, then we will start the Chaplet. Take this time to make your intention for this Holy Hour. Some meditative music will be played during this time.

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy 

(the meditations for this chaplet are from St. Faustina’s Diary) 

Prayerful Intention: Oh my Jesus, I unite my desires to the desires that you had on the cross. I call upon You, and beg Your mercy for poor sinners. Oh most Sacred Heart, Fount of Mercy from which gushed forth rays of inconceivable graces, be mindful of Your own bitter passion, and do not permit the loss of souls redeemed at so dear a price. Oh Jesus, let every soul trust in Your passion and place its hope in Your mercy. You will not deny Your mercy to anyone. Heaven and earth may change, but Your mercy will never be exhausted. Jesus, I desire to bring all sinners to Your feet, that they may glorify Your mercy throughout endless ages. I now embrace the whole world and ask You for mercy for it.

LEADER: You expired Jesus, 

ALL: but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

(Repeat 3 times)

LEADER: O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us,

ALL: I trust in You!  

LEADER: The Chaplet of Divine Mercy - In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 

ALL: Amen

LEADER: Our Father, Who art in Heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

ALL: Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen

LEADER: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

ALL: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. 

LEADER: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day, He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

ALL: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

First Meditation: The Agony of Jesus 

I entered into the sufferings which Jesus underwent in the Garden of Olives. The Lord pressed me to His heart and said “I shall give you a small portion of My passion, but do not be afraid, be brave. Do not seek relief, but accept everything with submission to My will.” When Jesus was taking leave of me, such great pain filled my soul that it is impossible to express it. Every beat of Jesus’ heart was reflected in my heart and pierced my soul. In the course of this suffering my love grew immeasurably. Together with Him I underwent in a special way all the various tortures. The world still has no idea of all that Jesus suffered. I accompanied Him to the Garden of Gethsemane, I stayed with Him in the prison, I went with Him before the judges. I underwent with Him each of the tortures. Not a single one of His movements or looks escaped my notice. I came to know all the omnipotence of His love and of His mercy toward souls.

LEADER:  Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ,

ALL:  in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

(On the 10 Hail Mary beads say the following) 

LEADER:  For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,

ALL:  have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Second Meditation: The Scourging 

I saw the Lord Jesus tied to a pillar, stripped of His clothes and the scourging began immediately. I saw four men who took turns at striking the Lord with scourges. My heart almost stopped at the sight of these tortures. I saw how the Lord Jesus suffered as He was being scourged. Oh, such an inconceivable agony. His blood flowed to the ground and in some places His flesh started to fall off. I saw a few bare bones on His back. The meek Jesus moaned softly inside. The Lord said to me, “I suffer even greater pain than that which you see.” And Jesus gave me to know for what sins He subjected Himself to the scourging. These are sins of impurity. Oh, how dreadful was Jesus’ moral suffering during the scourging.

LEADER:  Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ,

ALL:  in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

(On the 10 Hail Mary beads say the following) 

LEADER:  For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,

ALL:  have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Third Meditation: The Crowning with Thorns 

After the scourging, the torturers took the Lord and stripped Him of His own garment which had already adhered to the wounds. As they took it off, His wounds reopened. Then they threw a dirty and tattered scarlet cloak over the fresh wounds of the Lord. They wove a crown of thorns which they put on His sacred head. They put a reed in His hand and made fun of Him, bowing to Him as to a king. Some spat in His face, while others took the reed and struck Him on the head with it. Others caused Him pain by slapping Him. Still others covered His face and struck Him with their fists. Jesus bore all this with meekness. Who can comprehend Him, comprehend His suffering? Jesus’ eyes were downcast. Let every soul reflect on what Jesus was suffering at that moment. They tried to outdo each other in insulting the Lord. 

LEADER:  Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ,

ALL:  in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

(On the 10 Hail Mary beads say the following) 

LEADER:  For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,

ALL:  have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Fourth Meditation: Carrying the Cross 

I saw a multitude of souls crucified like Him. Then I saw a second multitude of souls and a third. The second multitude were not nailed to their crosses, but were holding them firmly in their hands. The third were neither nailed to their crosses, nor holding them firmly in their hands, but were dragging their crosses behind them and were discontent. Jesus then said to me, “Do you see these souls? Those who are like me in the pain and contempt they suffer, will be like Me also in glory. And those who resemble Me less in pain and contempt will also bear less resemblance to Me in glory.” 

LEADER:  Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ,

ALL:  in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

(On the 10 Hail Mary beads say the following)

LEADER:  For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,

ALL:  have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Fifth Meditation: The Crucifixion 

I saw the Lord Jesus nailed upon the cross amidst great torments. A soft moan issued from His heart. After some time He said, “I thirst. I thirst for the salvation of souls. Help Me My daughter to save souls. Join your sufferings to My passion and offer them to the heavenly Father for sinners.” I saw two rays issue from His side, just as they appear in the image. I then felt in my soul the desire to save souls and to empty myself for the sake of poor sinners. I offered myself, together with the dying Jesus, to the Eternal Father, for the salvation of the whole world. 

LEADER:  Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ,

ALL:  in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

(On the 10 Hail Mary beads say the following) 

LEADER:  For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,

ALL:  have mercy on us and on the whole world. 

(Repeat 3 times) 

LEADER:  Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,

ALL: have mercy on us and on the whole world.   

LEADER: Eternal God, 

ALL: in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

LEADER:  O Greatly Merciful God, Infinite Goodness, today all mankind calls out from the abyss of its misery to Your mercy - to Your compassion, O God; and it is with its mighty voice of misery that it cries out.  Gracious God, do not reject the prayer of this earth's exiles!  O Lord, Goodness beyond our understanding, Who are acquainted with our misery through and through, and know that by our own power we cannot ascend to You, we implore You, anticipate us with Your grace and keep on increasing Your mercy in us, that we may faithfully do Your holy will all through our life and at death's hour.  Let the omnipotence of Your mercy shield us from the darts of our salvation's enemies, that we may with confidence as Your children, await Your final coming - that day known to You alone.  And we expect to obtain everything promised us by Jesus in spite of all our wretchedness.  For Jesus is our Hope:  Through His merciful Heart, as through an open gate, we pass through to heaven.  

ALL:       Jesus I trust in You
                    Jesus I trust in You
                    Jesus I trust in You
                    In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Talk on Divine Mercy 

(If someone has prepared a talk, it may be given at this time) 

Silent Meditation on Divine Mercy

We will continue to pray in silence, adore the Lord, and meditate on His Fathomless Mercy until just before 4PM. Some meditative music will be played. Feel free to come up and venerate the image and relic during this time as well.

Some thoughts from the Diary of St. Faustina for meditation:

(Note: Italic text are notes, regular text are thoughts of St. Faustina, bold text are the words of our Lord, Jesus, spoken to St. Faustina)

The devotion to Divine Mercy is based on the writings of St. Faustina. Through the course of her short life, Jesus appeared to her and spoke to her about His infinite love and mercy. He wanted the whole world to come to know, understand, and trust in His mercy.

"Proclaim that mercy is the greatest attribute of God. All the works of My hands are crowned with mercy." (Diary, 301)

"My daughter, speak to priests about this inconceivable mercy of Mine. The flames of mercy are burning Me - clamoring to be spent; I want to keep pouring them out upon souls; souls just don't want to believe in My goodness." (Diary, 177)

"My love and mercy knows no bounds." (Diary, 718)

“Tell [all people], My daughter, that I am Love and Mercy itself. When a soul approaches Me with trust, I fill it with such an abundance of graces that it cannot contain them within itself, but radiates them to other souls." (Diary, 1074)

Jesus longs for souls - He longs for the conversion of sinners...

"Today, in the course of a long conversation, the Lord said to me, How very much I desire the salvation of souls! My dearest secretary, write that I want to pour out My divine life into human souls and sanctify them, if only they were willing to accept My grace. The greatest sinners would achieve great sanctity, if only they would trust in My mercy. The very inner depths of My being are filled to overflowing with mercy, and it is being poured out upon all I have created. My delight is to act in a human soul and to fill it with My mercy and to justify it. My kingdom on earth is My life in the human soul...." (Diary, 1784)

"During one of the adorations, Jesus promised me that: With souls that have recourse to My mercy and with those that glorify and proclaim My great mercy to others, I will deal according to My infinite mercy at the hour of their death.

 My Heart is sorrowful, Jesus said, because even chosen souls do not understand the greatness of My mercy. Their relationship [with Me] is, in certain ways, imbued with mistrust. Oh, how much that wounds My Heart I Remember My Passion, and if you do not believe My words, at least believe My wounds." (Diary, 379)

No matter how great the sin, God's Mercy is ALWAYS greater...

[Let] the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy. They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy towards tormented souls. Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy. Write: before I come as a just Judge, I first open wide the door of My mercy. He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice..." (Diary, 1146)

"...I desire trust from My creatures. Encourage souls to place great trust in My fathomless mercy. Let the weak, sinful soul have no fear to approach Me, for even if it had more sins than there are grains of sand in the world, all would be drowned in the unmeasurable depths of My mercy." (Diary, 1059)

My Secretary, write that I am more generous toward sinners than toward the just. It was for their sake that I came down from heaven; it was for their sake that My Blood was spilled. Let them not fear to approach Me; they are most in need of My mercy." (Diary, 1275)

"Write, speak of My mercy. Tell souls where they are to look for solace; that is, in the Tribunal of Mercy [the Sacrament of Reconciliation]. There the greatest miracles take place [and] are incessantly repeated. To avail oneself of this miracle, it is not necessary to go on a great pilgrimage or to carry out some external ceremony; it suffices to come with faith to the feet of My representative and to reveal to him one's misery, and the miracle of Divine Mercy will be fully demonstrated. Were a soul like a decaying corpse so that from a human standpoint, there would be no [hope of] restoration and everything would already be lost, it is not so with God. The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that soul in full. Oh, how miserable are those who do not take advantage of the miracle of God's mercy! You will call out in vain, but it will be too late." (Diary, 1448)

Jesus not only reassures us that He is Mercy, He also gives us ample opportunities to help others find their way to His Love...

"Today Jesus said to me, I desire that you know more profoundly the love that burns in My Heart for souls, and you will understand this when you meditate upon My Passion. Call upon My mercy on behalf of sinners; I desire their salvation. When you say this prayer, with a contrite heart and with faith on behalf of some sinner, I will give him the grace of conversion. This is the prayer:

 O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You."(Diary, 186-187)

"The Lord said to me, The loss of each soul plunges Me into mortal sadness. You always console Me when you pray for sinners. The prayer most pleasing to Me is prayer for the conversion of sinners. Know, My daughter, that this prayer is always heard and answered." (Diary, 1397)

"...Say unceasingly the chaplet that I have taught you. Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death..." (Diary, 687)

Jesus makes great promises to those who spread this devotion and trust in Him...

"But God has promised a great grace especially to you and to all those... who will proclaim My great mercy. I shall protect them Myself at the hour of death, as My own glory. And even if the sins of soul are as dark as night, when the sinner turns to My mercy he gives Me the greatest praise and is the glory of My Passion. When a soul praises My goodness, Satan trembles before it and flees to the very bottom of hell." (Diary, 378)

"Souls who spread the honor of My mercy I shield through their entire lives as a tender mother her infant, and at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior. At that last hour, a soul has nothing with which to defend itself except My mercy. Happy is the soul that during its lifetime immersed itself in the Fountain of Mercy, because justice will have no hold on it. " (Diary, 1075)

" The Lord said to me, My daughter, do not tire of proclaiming My mercy. In this way you will refresh this Heart of Mine, which burns with a flame of pity for sinners. Tell My priests that hardened sinners will repent on hearing their words when they speak about My unfathomable mercy, about the compassion I have for them in My Heart. To priests who proclaim and extol My mercy, I will give wondrous power; I will anoint their words and touch the hearts of those to whom they will speak." (Diary, 1521)

He also gives us warnings...

"God's floodgates have been opened for us. Let us want to take advantage of them before the day of God's justice arrives. And that will be a dreadful day!

 When once I asked the Lord Jesus how He could tolerate so many sins and crimes and not punish them, the Lord answered me, I have eternity for punishing [these], and so I am prolonging the time of mercy for the sake of [sinners]. But woe to them if they do not recognize this time of My visitation. My daughter, secretary of My mercy, your duty is not only to write about and proclaim My mercy, but also to beg for this grace for them, so that they too may glorify My mercy." (Diary, 1159-1160)

"Tell sinners that no one shall escape My Hand; if they run away from My Merciful Heart, they will fall into My Just Hands. Tell sinners that I am always waiting for them, that I listen intently to the beating of their heart... when will it beat for Me? Write, that I am speaking to them through their remorse of conscience, through their failures and sufferings, through thunderstorms, through the voice of the Church. And if they bring all My graces to naught, I begin to be angry with them, leaving them alone and giving them what they want." (Diary, 1728)

The three o'clock hour has always held a special significance for us in our faith. It is the hour Our Lord gave His precious life up for our sins. It is also the hour of His Mercy. On the cross, blood and water flowed from His side. Now, a fountain of mercy flows over us. Jesus gave St. Faustina special instructions for this hour...

“I remind you, My daughter, that as often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners; for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul. In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking; it was the hour of grace for the whole world - mercy triumphed over justice." (Diary, 1572) 

"At three o'clock, implore My mercy, especially for poor sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. I will allow you to enter into My mortal sorrow. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion... " (Diary, 1320)

How did Jesus instruct St. Faustina to pray in this hour?...

"My daughter, try your best to make the Stations of the Cross in this hour, provided that your duties permit it; and if you are not able to make the Stations of the Cross, then at least step into the chapel for a moment and adore, in the Blessed Sacrament, My Heart, which is full of mercy; and should you be unable to step into the chapel, immerse yourself in prayer there where you happen to be, if only for a very brief instant. I claim veneration for My mercy from every creature, but above all from you, since it is to you that I have given the most profound understanding of this mystery." (Diary, 1572)

Few of us will find ourselves near the Blessed Sacrament every day at 3 pm. Many of us have the opportunity to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at this time. But, all of us can take a moment, even just a few seconds, to reflect on Our Lord's sacrifice and His great Love and Mercy towards us.

Our Lord wants us to trust Him - to believe in His love and goodness. To help us embrace His Mercy and Love, He gave specific instructions for the faithful to follow on this day - a day of great graces!

"On one occasion, I heard these words: My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy." (Diary, 699)

In St. Faustina's diary, Christ spoke to her about the importance of mercy - not just celebrating the feast, but living God's Mercy in our lives...

"My daughter, if I demand through you that people revere My mercy, you should be the first to distinguish yourself by this confidence in My mercy. I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it.

 I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first - by deed, the second - by word, the third - by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy. Yes, the first Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Mercy, but there must also be acts of mercy, and I demand the worship of My mercy through the solemn celebration of the Feast and through the veneration of the image which is painted. By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls. It is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works." (Diary, 742)

Later, St. Faustina describes her understanding of Christ's words to her...

"The Lord gave me knowledge of His will under three aspects, so to speak, but it all comes down to one.

 The first is that souls separated from the world will burn as an offering before God's throne and beg for mercy for the whole world... and by their entreaties they will obtain blessings for priests, and through their prayers prepare the world for the final coming of Jesus.

 The second is prayer joined to the act of mercy. In particular, they will defend the souls of children against the spirit of evil. Prayer and merciful deeds are all that will be required of these souls, and even the poorest persons can be admitted to their number. And in this egoistic world they will try to rouse up love, the mercy of Jesus.
 The third is prayer and deeds of mercy, without any obligation of taking vows. But by doing this, these persons will have a share in all the merits and privileges of the whole [congregation]. Everyone in the world can belong to this group.

 A member of this group ought to perform at least one act of mercy a day; at least one, but there can be many more, for such deeds can easily be carried out by anyone, even the very poorest. For there are three ways of performing an act of mercy: the merciful word, by forgiving and by comforting; secondly, if you can offer no word, then pray - that too is mercy; and thirdly, deeds of mercy. And when the Last Day comes, we shall be judged from this, and on this basis we shall receive the eternal verdict." (Diary 1155-1158)

But it wasn't just in honor of the Feast that Christ spoke about His desire for acts of mercy...

“October 1, 1937. Daughter, I need sacrifice lovingly accomplished, because that alone has meaning for Me. Enormous indeed are the debts of the world which are due to Me; pure souls can pay them by their sacrifice, exercising mercy in spirit.”

 I understand Your words, Lord, and the magnitude of the mercy that ought to shine in my soul. Jesus: “I know, My daughter, that you understand it and that you do everything within your power. But write this for the many souls who are often worried because they do not have the material means with which to carry out an act of mercy. Yet spiritual mercy, which requires neither permissions nor storehouses, is much more meritorious and is within the grasp of every soul. If a soul does not exercise mercy somehow or other, it will not obtain My mercy on the day of judgment. Oh, if only souls knew how to gather eternal treasure for themselves, they would not be judged, for they would forestall My judgment with their mercy." (Diary, 1316-7)

Reposition of

The Blessed Sacrament

We conclude our Holy Hour with Benediction  (Please kneel)

Please join in singing “Tantum Ergo”: 

Tantum ergo Sacramentum 
Veneremur cernui 
Et antiquum documentum 
Novo cedat ritui 
Praestet fides supplementum 
Sensuum defectui     

Genitori, Genitoque 
Laus et jubilatio
Salus, honor, virtus quoque 
Sit et benedictio
Procedenti ab utroque 
Compar sit laudatio. 
Amen.
By St. Thomas Aquinas, 1264 - Public Domain

LEADER:  You have given them Bread from heaven, Alleluia

ALL:  Having all sweetness within it, Alleluia

LEADER:  Lord, Jesus Christ, You gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of Your suffering and death. May our worship of this sacrament of Your Body and Blood, help us to experience the salvation You won for us and the peace of the kingdom, where You live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. 

ALL:  Amen

The Eucharistic Blessing

(If there is a Priest or Deacon present)

The Divine Praises

Blessed be God
 Blessed be His Holy Name
 Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man
 Blessed be the name of Jesus
 Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart

Blessed be His Most Precious Blood
 Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar
 Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the paraclete
 Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy
 Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception
 Blessed be her glorious Assumption
 Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother
 Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse
 Blessed be God in His angels and in His Saints

May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even until the end of time.

Amen.

The Blessed Sacrament is reposed.  (once reposed, please stand)

Please stand and join in singing “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name”:

Veneration of

The Image of Divine Mercy

Spend as much time as you like in meditation and prayer. All present are invited to approach the Altar and venerate the image as you leave, especially if you have not yet taken the opportunity to do so.

 We also welcome you to venerate the relic of St. Faustina.

Thank you so much for joining in this awesome celebration of God’s great mercy.   May you always deeply feel the mercy of God in your lives and spread this great gift of His love and mercy to all the world.

God Bless you all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Some online resources:

(the first link includes an online version of St. Faustina’s Diary, the last link is the Divine Mercy Gift Shop, one of many possible sites to order the diary and Chaplet CD from) 

http://www.marian.org/divinemercy 

http://www.divinemercysunday.com 

http://www.thedivinemercy.org 

http://www.mercyimages.com 

Some CD, Youtube links and Book suggestions:

Music for Meditation: 

Treasured Hymns of the Church (Instrumental) CD by David Phillips 

Prepare the Way of the Lord (Instrumental) CD by David Phillips 

How Great Thou Art (Instrumental) CD by David Phillips 

Sacred Treasures - Sacred Treasures III: Choral Masterworks from Russia and Beyond Chant CD 

Music for Exposition, Benediction and Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament:

Panis Angelicus CD by Robert and Robin Kochis

Divine Mercy Chaplet CDs: 

The Rosary And The Divine Mercy Chaplet CD
with Saint Faustina's Meditations On The Passion
by Still Waters & Fr. Dan Papineau, M.J.C. Rector, National Shrine of The Divine Mercy (CD that was used during this Holy Hour) 

On Youtube: Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Divine Mercy Chaplet in Song CD
CD of a new contempory version of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy sung by Trish Short, Michael Bathea, and Crystal Yates

On Youtube: The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in Song

Chaplet of Divine Mercy CD

Recorded live at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, this is the traditional chant sung by Still Waters and Friends

On Youtube: Chaplet of Divine Mercy Sung at the National Shrine

Chaplet of Divine Mercy Sung by Donna Cori Gibson

On Youtube: The Chaplet of Divine Mercy (with lyrics)

The Diary in Print: 

“Divine Mercy in My Soul – the Diary of Sr. M. Faustina Kowalska” 

Marian Press, Stockbridge, MA 01263