Ad Iesum per Mariam: Feast of Divine Mercy: A Shelter for Sinners

Jesus, I trust in Thee!

Today is the Second Sunday of Easter, now officially called the Divine Mercy Sunday, so instituted by Blessed Pope John Paul II in April 2000 during the canonization of (fellow Polish) Sister Faustina. This change is in accordance with the explicit desire of our Lord as revealed to Saint Faustina Kowalska. In her diary, Our Lord says:

My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. 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. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My mercy.

To observe and honour today's very significant event, and to take advantage of Our Lord's promise, we were graced to attend and participate in the liturgical celebrations organized by the Polish community at Our Lady of Victories Parish Church. When we arrived, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was already in progress. There were at least 2 priests hearing confessions. At 3 o'clock, being the Hour of Mercy - as declared by Our Lord Himself, the Holy Hour commenced with the community recitation of the Divine Mercy chaplet. Holy Mass followed which, though offered in the Novus Ordo rite, was said very reverently and was certainly enhanced by the singing of Traditional Latin hymns in polyphony (Gregorian Chant) led by the schola/choir. Before the conclusion of the event, sacred images of the Divine Mercy were solemnly blessed; then shortly after, the congregation was able to venerate a relic of St Faustina Kowalska individually.

Back home we put together a themed dessert consisting of date and walnut loaf cut in 2 sheets, shaped, and iced with red and blue frosting and rested on a laminated image of the Divine Mercy. To complete the presentation of our dessert, frosting pens in red and blue were used to write the powerful phrase: "Jesus, I trust in You!"