As my grandma lay sick in the hospital, she struggled. Nana struggled to keep her health and to feel comfort and hope. Then my brother placed a Divine Mercy image on the bulletin board in her room.
She said it comforted her when she roused in and out sleep confused. Nana was happy to awaken to Jesus’ image with the inscription, “Jesus, I trust in You.” She was later treated and released from the hospital.
The graces from this image and novena are powerful and overflowing. Therefore, I am urging all to pray the Novena of Divine Mercy which starts yearly on Good Friday and concludes on Divine Mercy Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter. In addition, the Chaplet of Mercy is to be recited.
If you missed the start date, don’t worry, it’s not too late. It’s not too late to receive the greatest graces in the world! If I forget a day of the novena, I make up for it during the week. I feel confident God will honor my good intentions.
In the 1930s, Sr. Maria Faustina Kowalska of Poland received a series of revelations from the Lord. He taught her the chaplet prayers and explained the nature of his Divine Mercy. More information is at thedivinemercy.org.
On Divine Mercy Sunday, participants must receive Holy Communion worthily and go to Confession on or before the feastday, according to the website. Many parishes offer Confession on Divine Mercy Sunday. The faithful must also stay in a state of grace and trust in the mercy of Jesus. Jesus relayed to St. Faustina that those who go to Confession and receive Holy Communion will obtain forgiveness for their sins and its punishments.
In her Diary, entry 699, St. Faustina revealed the Lord’s words to her,
“…I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a 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. On that day are opened all the divine floodgates through which graces flow. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.”
In addition, followers must also perform works of mercy toward their neighbor. The faithful cannot receive the graces without participation in corporal and spiritual acts of mercy.
For the nine days of the novena, Jesus devotes the prayers to a different intention such as: all mankind, especially sinners; souls of priests and religious; those who do not believe in God; and the meek and humble souls and souls of little children.
One of my favorites is for the “souls who have become lukewarm.” This is for those of us who have our feet in two camps: the world’s and Jesus’. We may have started off with great fervor knowing and loving God, but have become “tepid” in our devotion and love.
The ninth day intention states,
“Today bring to Me souls who have become lukewarm, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: ‘Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.’ For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy.”
These are strong words from Our Lord, but ones that spur me to action.
The Lord recommends that Chaplet of Divine Mercy be prayed often, but especially before Divine Mercy Sunday.
Many Catholic TV and radio stations, including EWTN and Relevant Radio, recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy daily. It is often prayed about 3 pm because that is the hour of mercy; the time when Our Lord died. It is prayed on rosary beads and takes roughly ten minutes. A great practice for those beginning a prayerlife, in my opinion.
In addition, if the Chaplet is recited in the presence of the dying, Jesus promises to stand between “My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge, but as the Merciful Savior.”
As for my grandma, she died a peaceful and joyous death sometime later while enjoying the fruits of Divine Mercy.
Copyright 2014, Mary Mitchell
Mary Mitchell
Mary Mitchell, from Chicago, is a devout Catholic who likes to mix the divine truth with humor. She thinks it's the only way we can get through this life! Mary is the mother of three and has been married to her husband, Philip, more than 20 years. She has attempted to live the vows as a Secular Franciscan for about 20 years, but has a long way to go.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.