(COLUMNIST’S NOTE: The following is primarily a Catholic devotion, but other Christian denominations can participate in it in their own way. His mercy is for everyone.)
In the 1930’s Jesus appeared to St. Faustina, and among the messages asked that a Feast Day be established in the Church the Sunday after Easter in honor of His Divine Mercy.
He said:
“My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. 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.
What does Jesus mean by “complete forgiveness of sins and punishment”? He means that if we make a good and sincere confession* and participate in the Holy Mass from the heart, we will be as on the day we were Baptized. If we would die right afterwards, we would go straight to Heaven and not have to be purified in purgatory. This is a profound grace our Lord is offering to us in our times.
Jesus says, “On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet (Diary 699)… The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to my mercy (723)…. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy.” (699)
This weekend is Divine Mercy Sunday. All are encouraged to participate in this special celebration, and to invite friends and family members to participate. Can we imagine what graces would flow throughout St. Charles Parish if all Catholics (and protestants in their own way) would take on the stance of the repentant sinner and humbly open their hearts to Jesus and His Divine Mercy. Certainly Satan doesn’t want this because he wants to keep as many of us in bondage to sin and darkness as possible.
In the story of the prodigal son, when the father saw him returning home “he had compassion, ran to meet him, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him.” (Lk 15:20) This is what God wants to do for us on this day if we turn to Him with our whole hearts.
St. Mark Catholic Church in Ama and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Kenner are two parishes that have Divine Mercy Sunday celebrations.
For more information on the graces of Divine Mercy Sunday go to: www.divinemercy.info/
*If not able to go to confession on that day, 8 days before or after is acceptable.
A celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 256 Angus Drive in Luling, on April 11. Devotions begin at 2 p.m. with confession available at that time.
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