Divine Mercy Sunday, celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter, highlights God's boundless mercy, especially as revealed in the Paschal Mystery, offering profound forgiveness and grace to all humanity.
Divine Mercy Sunday, observed on the Second Sunday of Easter, serves as the culmination of the Easter Octave, drawing profound attention to God's infinite mercy as revealed through Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Instituted by Pope John Paul II in 2000 following the revelations to Saint Faustina Kowalska, this feast underscores that the Paschal Mystery is the ultimate manifestation of divine mercy, offering forgiveness of sins and abundant graces to those who trust in God. It plays a crucial role in the church calendar by extending the joy of Easter into a specific focus on God's compassionate love, reinforcing that mercy is central to salvation history and continually available to reconcile humanity with the divine.
Divine Mercy Sunday, celebrated annually on the Second Sunday of Easter, serves as a profound culmination of the Easter Octave, drawing the faithful into a deeper contemplation of God's boundless mercy. This feast illuminates the central truth that the Paschal MysteryâChrist's Passion, Death, and Resurrectionâis the ultimate manifestation of divine compassion and forgiveness. It is a day specifically set aside to honor and receive the unfathomable depths of God's tender mercy, which is offered freely to all humanity, particularly to those who trust in Him. The feast's placement immediately after Easter underscores that the Resurrection is not merely an historical event, but a continuous fount of grace and mercy available to reconcile fallen humanity with its Creator.
The historical roots of Divine Mercy Sunday trace back to the private revelations received by Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun, in the 1930s. Jesus appeared to her, conveying messages about His Divine Mercy and expressing a specific desire for a feast dedicated to this attribute of God. He instructed her to have an image painted depicting Him with two rays, one red and one pale, emanating from His heart, symbolizing the Blood and Water that flowed from His side on the cross. These rays represent the Sacraments, particularly Baptism and the Eucharist, as well as the Holy Spirit, which cleanse and nourish souls. Saint Faustina meticulously recorded these messages, along with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the novena to Divine Mercy, in her diary, titled "Divine Mercy in My Soul."
Among the most profound promises associated with Divine Mercy Sunday is the offer of complete forgiveness of sins and punishment to souls who go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on that day. Jesus Himself revealed this extraordinary grace to Saint Faustina, stating, "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 graces flow are opened." This promise underscores the immense spiritual benefit available, emphasizing the restorative power of God's mercy and the sacraments.
The journey to the official recognition of Divine Mercy Sunday was not without its challenges. Saint Faustina's writings initially faced scrutiny and were even placed on the Holy Office's index of forbidden books for a period due to misunderstandings and translation issues. However, through the diligent efforts of figures like Karol WojtyĆa, then Archbishop of Krakow and later Pope John Paul II, the theological soundness of the revelations was re-examined and affirmed. It was Pope John Paul II, a fellow Pole and a great devotee of Divine Mercy, who formally instituted the feast throughout the universal Church on April 30, 2000, the very day he canonized Saint Faustina, fulfilling Jesus's request made nearly seven decades prior.
The theological significance of Divine Mercy Sunday is deeply intertwined with the Easter mystery. By placing it on the Second Sunday of Easter, the Church emphasizes that the triumph over sin and death achieved by Christ's Resurrection is the ultimate act of God's mercy towards humanity. It is a day that calls the faithful to trust implicitly in Jesus, the "King of Mercy," and to approach Him with confidence, knowing that His mercy is greater than any sin. The feast also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, encouraging penitents to seek forgiveness and experience God's healing love.
Spiritual practices associated with Divine Mercy Sunday include the veneration of the Divine Mercy Image, the recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and the observance of the Novena to Divine Mercy, which begins on Good Friday. These devotions prepare the faithful to receive the abundant graces promised on the feast day. The global spread and growing popularity of Divine Mercy Sunday reflect a deep hunger within the contemporary world for God's compassion and reconciliation. It serves as a beacon of hope, reminding believers and non-believers alike that no sin is too great for God's mercy to overcome.
In the grand tapestry of salvation history, Divine Mercy Sunday stands as a powerful testament to God's enduring love for humanity. From the covenants with Abraham and Moses to the Incarnation and Paschal Mystery, God's mercy has been consistently revealed as the driving force behind His interaction with His creation. This feast day, therefore, is not merely a commemoration but an active participation in the ongoing stream of God's saving grace, inviting individuals to embrace a life of trust, repentance, and acts of mercy towards others. It is a profound call to live out the very essence of the Gospel message: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."
In the bustling city of PĆock, Poland, on a cold evening in February 1931, a young nun named Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska knelt in her cell, her heart burdened by the weight of the world's sins. Suddenly, a blinding light filled the room, and before her stood Jesus Himself, clothed in a white garment, with one hand raised in blessing and the other touching His breast. From His heart, two magnificent rays emanated: one pale, like water, and the other red, like blood. His gaze was tender, yet profound.
"Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the inscription: Jesus, I trust in You," He commanded, His voice echoing not in the air, but in the depths of her soul. "I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and then throughout the world. I desire that there be a Feast of Mercy. I want this image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter; that Sunday is to be the Feast of Mercy."
Faustina, a simple, unlettered nun, was overwhelmed. How could she, a humble servant, fulfill such a grand request? She approached her superiors and confessors, relaying the extraordinary visions. Many were skeptical, fearing illusion or delusion. She faced misunderstandance, ridicule, and even accusations of mental instability. Yet, the inner prompting from Christ was insistent, unwavering. He continued to appear to her, revealing more about His boundless mercy, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and the profound graces awaiting those who would trust in Him, especially on this specific feast day.
Undeterred by the immense spiritual and practical obstacles, Faustina, guided by her spiritual director, Father MichaĆ SopoÄko, persevered. She found an artist, Eugeniusz Kazimirowski, to paint the image under her precise instructions, though she confessed that no human brush could capture the true beauty of Christ as she saw Him. The first public veneration of the Divine Mercy image, and the first celebration of the feast, occurred on April 28, 1935, in Vilnius, within the Ostra Brama Gate, precisely as Jesus had requested.
Even after her death in 1938, the message of Divine Mercy continued its slow, often arduous, journey. Her diary, "Divine Mercy in My Soul," became a testament to the revelations, but it also faced scrutiny and was even placed on the Holy Office's Index of Forbidden Books for a period due to translation errors and misunderstandings. Yet, the seed had been planted. Decades later, a Polish cardinal, Karol WojtyĆa, then Archbishop of Krakow, championed her cause. He diligently worked to overturn the ban, recognizing the profound theological truth in her writings.
Finally, on April 30, 2000, the culmination of decades of divine patience and human perseverance arrived. Pope John Paul II, the very Karol WojtyĆa who had championed her cause, canonized Saint Faustina Kowalska. On that same momentous day, he officially decreed that the Second Sunday of Easter would henceforth be known as "Divine Mercy Sunday" for the entire universal Church. The promise made by Christ to a simple nun in Poland nearly seven decades prior had been fulfilled, a testament to the power of divine will and the unwavering faith of a soul dedicated to proclaiming God's infinite mercy to a world desperately in need.
April 30, 2000
1. "Praise be to Jesus Christ, our hope, our salvation, our resurrection and our life". These words of the liturgy introduce us into the joy of Easter, which today is enriched by a special solemnity: that of Divine Mercy.
Over the past two thousand years of Christian history, the human spirit's experience of God's mercy has given rise to a vast range of expressions. In this regard, the witness of the martyrs, the virgins and the confessors of the faith shines with particular splendour. The experience of mercy has also given rise to eloquent testimonies in the fields of mysticism, theology, liturgy, and in the various charitable works and in the whole of Christian life. All of these bear witness to the fact that mercy is a fundamental dimension of the Christian vision of life.
2. Today, the Second Sunday of Easter, which in the Octave of Easter closes the entire Easter Triduum, is also called "Divine Mercy Sunday". The liturgy itself seems to indicate this: from the very beginning, the Church has presented this Easter Octave as a privileged time in which the mystery of Christ's resurrection is prolonged and its saving power is extended to all believers. It is an octave of grace, of joy, of mercy. It is a time for all to experience the loving kindness of God.
3. The present liturgy of the Second Sunday of Easter is especially suitable for celebrating the mystery of Divine Mercy. The Gospel of John (20:19-31) recounts the appearance of the Risen Christ to the Apostles in the Upper Room on the evening of Easter Day, and then again eight days later, on the following Sunday. On the first occasion, Jesus shows his disciples his wounds: "He showed them his hands and his side" (Jn 20:20). He then gives them the Holy Spirit and the power to forgive sins: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (Jn 20:22-23). The second occasion takes place eight days later, when Thomas is also present. Jesus invites him to touch his wounds, so that he will believe.
These two appearances, one week apart, emphasize the importance of the Sunday of the Resurrection, which is the first day of the new creation, and also the importance of the sacrament of Penance. The wounds of Jesus, far from being a sign of defeat, are the very source of mercy. They are the visible sign of God's love for humanity, a love that goes to the extreme of offering his only Son for the salvation of the world.
4. The mystery of Divine Mercy is at the heart of the Gospel message. It is the very essence of God's action in the world, his way of dealing with human beings. It is the core of the Paschal Mystery, which is the supreme manifestation of God's mercy. Jesus Christ, by his death and resurrection, has revealed the Father's merciful love in its fullness. He has opened for us the way to mercy, the way to reconciliation, the way to salvation.
5. "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures forever!" (Ps 118:1). This is the refrain of the responsorial psalm today. It is a hymn of praise to God's eternal mercy. The Church proclaims this truth with renewed vigour today. The experience of God's mercy is an inexhaustible source of hope and joy for every human being.
6. The message of Divine Mercy that Christ entrusted to Saint Faustina Kowalska is a call to trust in God's merciful love, to turn to Him with confidence, especially in our moments of weakness and sin. It is a call to be merciful to others, as God is merciful to us. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Mt 5:7).
This message is particularly timely today. Humanity is in great need of God's mercy. The world is experiencing a profound crisis of values, a crisis of hope, a crisis of faith. Many people are living in darkness, in despair, in fear. They are searching for meaning, for truth, for love. They are searching for God.
7. The merciful love of God is revealed in a special way in the Eucharist and in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In the Eucharist, Jesus offers himself as the food of eternal life, as the source of grace and mercy. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, he forgives our sins and restores us to his friendship. These two sacraments are privileged channels through which God's mercy flows into our souls.
8. Saint Faustina Kowalska, whom we canonize today, was chosen by Christ to be the apostle of Divine Mercy. Through her, Jesus revealed to the world the immensity of his merciful love and gave us new forms of devotion to Divine Mercy: the image of the Merciful Jesus, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Hour of Great Mercy, and the Feast of Divine Mercy. She faithfully recorded these revelations in her Diary, which has become a precious treasure for the Church.
9. "Jesus, I trust in You!". This is the inscription on the image of the Merciful Jesus. It is a prayer that expresses the essence of the message of Divine Mercy. It is a prayer that every Christian is called to repeat with confidence, especially in moments of trial and difficulty. It is a prayer that reminds us that God's mercy is always greater than our sins, that his love is always stronger than our weaknesses.
10. The message of Divine Mercy is a call to conversion, to a radical change of heart. It is a call to abandon the path of sin and to embrace the path of holiness. It is a call to live a life of trust in God's mercy and to be merciful to others.
11. The canonization of Saint Faustina Kowalska and the institution of Divine Mercy Sunday are a great gift from God to the Church and to the world. They are a sign of hope for all humanity. They are a reminder that God's mercy is inexhaustible, that his love is unfailing, and that his grace is always available to those who seek it with a sincere heart.
12. "Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Most Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world." This is the prayer of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. It is a powerful prayer that unites us to Christ's sacrifice on the Cross and makes us co-workers in his work of salvation. It is a prayer that reminds us that God's mercy is offered to all humanity, without exception.
13. May the message of Divine Mercy reach all people and fill their hearts with hope. May it inspire them to turn to God with confidence, to seek his forgiveness, and to live a life of mercy towards others. May it transform their lives and lead them to eternal salvation.
14. "Jesus, I trust in You!". May this prayer be on the lips of all Christians, especially in our troubled times. May it be a source of strength, comfort, and hope for all who are suffering, for all who are in despair, for all who are searching for meaning in their lives.
15. The mercy of God is an ocean without limits. It is a love that embraces all, forgives all, heals all. It is a love that never abandons us, even when we abandon Him. It is a love that is always ready to welcome us back, to embrace us, to restore us to his friendship.
16. "For your boundless mercy, have mercy on us and on the whole world." This is the invocation that we repeat in the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. It is a prayer that expresses our humble trust in God's infinite mercy. It is a prayer that unites us to the entire Church, which constantly implores God's mercy for all humanity.
17. May the joyful proclamation of the resurrection of Christ and the trusting proclamation of Divine Mercy reach all people and fill their hearts with hope!
Amen.
Going to Confession and receiving Holy Communion with the intention of obtaining the plenary indulgence.
Jesus promised Saint Faustina complete forgiveness of sins and punishment on Divine Mercy Sunday for those who fulfill these conditions, a promise later affirmed by Pope John Paul II in granting the plenary indulgence.
Venerating the Divine Mercy Image, often with the inscription 'Jesus, I trust in You'.
Jesus explicitly requested Saint Faustina to have an image painted depicting Him with rays of red and pale light emanating from His heart and to have it venerated, first in her chapel and then throughout the world.
Reciting the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, especially at 3:00 PM, the 'Hour of Great Mercy'.
The Chaplet was revealed by Jesus to Saint Faustina as a powerful prayer for mercy on the world, often prayed daily and with particular emphasis on Divine Mercy Sunday.
Observing the Divine Mercy Novena, which begins on Good Friday and concludes on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday.
Jesus instructed Saint Faustina to pray this nine-day novena as a preparation for the Feast of Mercy, with specific intentions for each day.