The words divine and mercy provide a warm heartfelt feeling. We are now blessed to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. Interesting that from 1959 to 1978, it was banned, stemming from inaccurate translations of St Faustina’s writings. The Lord Jesus said to Sister Faustina: “At three o’clock, beg for My mercy, especially for sinners, and immerse yourself even for a short moment, in My Passion, particularly when I was left forsaken at the moment of death. This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world.” (Diary 1320)
We particularly put emphasis on the mercy of Jesus and the completeness of His forgiveness. Divine Mercy teaches us the willingness of God to forgive our sins and offer His grace even when we have not met His expectations.
The message and devotion of Divine Mercy has been called the largest grassroots movement in the history of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis has asked that “Each of us spread God’s mercy to those around us in every situation of life.”
Eternal God, 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. Amen. Mary Jo