DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

APRIL 7th

Special mass at 2:30PM

Benediction and Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Immediately following Mass

On this day a PLENARY INDULGENCE is granted (under the usual conditions of a sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and a prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on Divine Mercy Sunday, in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy or who in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you) (The full text of the decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary may be found at: www.divinemercy.org).

We received the message and devotion to Jesus as The Divine Mercy through the writings of a young Polish nun. Her spiritual director told her to record the revelations that she received about God's mercy. The desires and promises of Our Lord are recorded in the diary of Saint Faustina Kowalska. This Feast was granted to the Universal Church by Pope John Paul II on the occasion of the canonization of Sr. Faustina on April 30, 2000.

I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. 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… (Diary, 699)