The Feast of Divine Mercy

 

 Jesus told St. Faustina:

 

Do all you possibly can for this work of My mercy. I desire that My mercy be worshiped and I am giving mankind the last hope of salvation; that is, recourse to My mercy. My Heart rejoices in this feast. (Diary of St. Faustina, 998).  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. (699).

 

At the canonization of St. Faustina on April 30, 2000, Pope St. John Paul II proclaimed the official establishment of this feast. Later that night, he remarked that it was the happiest day of his life!  The Lord told St. Faustina: 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. (699).

 

The Feast of Mercy offers us an opportunity to be completely cleansed in the Blood of the Lamb, totally reconciling us with the Father. All the extra baggage is gone. We are made fresh and new. All of our sins, no matter how scarlet are washed away in our repentance. Our new state of soul advances us along the road to holiness and allows Christ to shine through us ever brighter. The better we prepare to receive these graces the more abundant they will be for us the first Sunday after Easter each year.

 

The gates of Mercy are Opened

On the Feast of Mercy, the Lord promises that “oceans of grace” are available. We should have confidence in the Lord’s mercy and appeal to Him for all kinds of needs, from daily things such as good jobs or grades, to help with finances and relationships, good health, and world peace.

 

As we prepare for the Feast of Mercy, we should commend the needs of our nation, family, and friends to the Lord and take full advantage of His promise to heal and strengthen the weak: I yearn for souls, My daughter. On the day of My feast, the Feast of Mercy, you will go through the whole world and bring fainting souls to the spring of My mercy. I shall heal and strengthen them. (206)