Jesus, The Divine Mercy
Dear Marian Helpers and Members of our Marian Family,
It’s hard to believe that yet another Divine Mercy Sunday, 12 April, is upon us. Then Divine Mercy Sunday in all its solemnity and joy will come and go … and then what? What comes afterwards?
Many people see Divine Mercy Sunday as a goal, the reward for a Lent well-done and the culmination of the Easter Octave. But I like to see Divine Mercy Sunday not as the end of something but rather as a beginning.
Divine Mercy Sunday is a preparation, a start for another year. Through the graces of Divine Mercy Sunday, we are blessed, gifted, strengthened to try again, to spend another year living the Christian life, to begin again and do better than the year past. We are given a reset, a redo, the chance to begin again and do more, be more. Love more.
The extraordinary grace of Divine Mercy Sunday helps to make this possible. Jesus told St Faustina that “The souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment” (Diary, 699). Wow … that’s quite the claim! It’s yet again proof not only of God’s great power but of His love and mercy for us.
Just a quick note that Divine Mercy Sunday and the 2nd Sunday of Easter are the same thing, the same day. So even if your parish doesn’t have a “Divine Mercy Sunday” celebration, going to Mass on the 2nd Sunday of Easter fulfils the conditions given by Our Lord to receive the extraordinary grace. Also, Confession doesn’t have to be on the Sunday itself. Going to Confession in the days and weeks beforehand counts as well.
Divine Mercy Sunday is a time to celebrate God’s mercy, praise His glory and might and prepare ourselves for the challenges and opportunities that daily life will bring us. Once the celebrations are over and life returns to normal, we can be confident that the Lord is always with us, guiding our thoughts, words and actions so that we too may become conformed more and more to the image and will of Christ.
The Lord promised great things to those who venerate His mercy and make it their mission to make His mercy known: “Souls who spread the honour of My mercy I shield through their entire life as a tender mother her infant, and at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior” (Diary, 1075). That, my friends, is you!
You are those blessed souls who spread the honour of His mercy, who “will not perish and will have victory over enemies, especially at the hour of death” (Diary, 48) and who, according to Our Lord, “will shine with a special brightness in the next life” (Diary, 1224). Your prayers and efforts, your sacrifices and support are not in vain: Our Heavenly Father sees them all and will reward them both now and in eternity!
I am so grateful for what you do, each and every one of you. I thank God for you in my prayers and am convinced that the work we do, the work of which you are vital members, continues, thrives, grows and flourishes because of your prayers and support. There is much work to be done and we Marian Fathers are glad to have cooperators like you!
As you celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday this year, turn to our Merciful Lord and trust in His love and mercy, His mission and plan, His Providence and purpose for you! And know that He is pouring out blessings and graces on you and the world in abundant measure.
May God bless you now and always!
In Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Alex Pumphrey, MIC
Contact Father Alex Pumphrey, MIC at info@divinemercy.org.uk
Please send us your prayer intentions! (click here).
We will place them at the foot of our altar in the Divine Mercy Apostolate’s Chapel here in West Ealing, London and will remember them in our daily Chaplets of Divine Mercy.
