Divine Mercy Sunday - April 11 2021

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son. And whosoever believes will not perish, they shall have eternal life.”

This important message still lingers now in thousands of hearts who, just recently, journeyed with Christ through his passion, crucifixion, and triumphant resurrection.

Another message that is precious to devotees is this one among many messages from the Lord that Sister Maria Faustyna Kowalska, who belonged to the order of The Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, wrote in her 1934-38 diary:

“Proclaim that mercy is the greatest attribute of God.”

Now widely known as St. Maria Faustina Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament, she wrote, that on April 28, 1935, the day the first Divine Mercy Sunday was celebrated, Jesus told her: "Every soul believing and trusting in My Mercy will obtain it."

She and her diaries gave birth to the Divine Mercy devotion, which includes the following: a.) The Divine Mercy Prayer said during the Divine Mercy Hour (3 o’ clock believed to be the time Christ died on the cross), b.) The Divine Mercy Chaplet, c.) The Divine Mercy Novena from Good Friday to Holy Saturday, and - as requested by the Lord in one of His apparitions to Sr. Faustina noted in her diary- d.) The Divine Mercy Sunday celebrated immediately the next Sunday after Christ’s Resurrection.

She wrote in her diary that “anyone who, on this day (Divine Mercy Sunday), participates in the Mass and receives the Sacraments of Confession and the Eucharist is assured by Jesus full remission of their sins and punishments.”

On April 30, 2000, Pope John Paul II granted the Feast of Divine Mercy Sunday to the Universal Church.

This April 11, for this year’s Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis will offer Mass in Santo Spirito in Sassia, which contain the relics of both St. Faustina Kowalska and St. John Paul II and which had been transformed into a center for Divine Mercy spirituality.

For those interested, this Divine Mercy Sunday Mass will be broadcast on television and via live stream at 10:30 a.m. local time.

Devotees have so many beautiful stories and testimonies to share about their personal encounter and walk with the Divine Mercy of Jesus.

Our sister, Len, comes to mind now.

An avid devotee, she never failed to ask us to pray the Divine Mercy prayer and chaplet with her. She also actively shared prayer booklets and reminders about Divine Mercy events and schedules.

She also brought us to meet Brother Stanley, himself a very strong advocate of the Divine Mercy devotion especially after his near-death encounter with the Lord.

Visitors and family, according to Len, experienced smelling the sweet scent of roses that permeated Brother Stanley’s room shortly before his death!

Our family also witnessed the beautiful moment when Len breathed her last.

While those of us in Cebu and Manila were together praying the Divine Chaplet online for Len, at exactly 3 p.m, at the Divine Mercy Hour, our Lord came to fetch Len to join him!

Although very sad to see her go, what a joyful reunion it must have been for her with God up above

Together with the Holy Rosary, the Divine Mercy Prayer and Chaplet are our daily turn-to prayers, for whatever reason and occasion – for thanksgiving, for supplications and petitions, or just for private moments of being with the Lord and Mama Mary.

We join others in joyfully and gratefully testifying about our continuing journey and encounter with the Divine love and mercy of our Lord, our Holy God, our Immortal and Almighty One throughout our personal and family life, our work and apostolate/mission for the Lord!