How to mark Divine Mercy Sunday 11th April 2010 (1st Sunday after Easter Sunday)

Suggestions for priests in a parish to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday.

The First Sunday after Easter is now designated Divine Mercy Sunday. Almost all parishes will have devotees of the Divine Mercy. They have been specifically preparing for this day. This is an opportunity to acknowledge them. But Divine Mercy Sunday is for everyone.

“In a special way it is the Sunday of thanksgiving for all the goodness God has shown us in the whole Easter Mystery” said Pope John Paul the 2nd

Here are a few pratical suggestions for marking Divine Mercy Sunday:

1. At a designated Mass or Masses you might place an image of ‘the Divine Mercy’ in a prominent place.
2. Bless the Image at the beginning of Mass
3. The Image depicts
   1. Christ as the High Priest
   2. Christ in the upper Room
   3. Christ entering into Glory
4. Encourage people to venerate the image at the end of Mass eg. By touching it and saying ‘Jesus, I trust in You’.
5. The homily at that Mass should focus on the Divine Mercy. That is, the Mercy which God the Father bestows on us through Jesus Christ, His Son. The readings are on mercy (Second Sunday after Easter)
6. Encourage all to receive Holy Communion as an act of thanksgiving.
7. Suggest that on receiving mercy, an act of mercy/ kindness/ reconciliation during the following week would be an appropriate response.

The promises expressed by our Lord to St. Faustina include one that

• ‘On that day the very depths of My tender Mercy are open’
• ‘Whoever goes to confession (beforehand) and receives Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.’ - From the Diary of Saint Faustina 699
• “;The Easter Octave day is a compendium of the days of Mercy” - Pope John Paul II
• “Mankind will not have peace until it turns in trust to the Fount of My Mercy” - From Saint Faustina's Diary 300.

Futher information from: Fr. Cathal Price C.C.
54, Foxfield St John the Evangelist, Kilbarrack Dublin 5.
Or use contact us form on this site with Fr Cathal as the subject or title.

Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, Stockbridge, MA 01263. www.thedivinemercy.org Used with permission and gratitude.