The message and devotion to Jesus as The Divine Mercy is Based on the Writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska, an uneducated Polish nun who, in obedience to her spiritual director, wrote a diary of about 600 pages recording the revelations she received about God's mercy. Even before her death in 1938, the devotion to The Divine Mercy had begun to spread.
The Divine Mercy Image
In 1931, Our Lord appeared to Sister Faustina Kowalska in a vision. She saw Jesus clothed in a white garment with His right hand raised in blessing. His left hand was touching His garment in the area of the heart, from which two large rays came forth, one red and the other pale. She gazed intently at the Lord in silence, her soul filled with awe, but also with great joy. Jesus said to her:
Paint an image according to the pattern you see with the signature: JESUS I TRUST IN YOU. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and then throughout the world. I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over [its] enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory. (Diary, 47, 48)
Mercy Sunday
The Lord wants the Sunday after Easter reserved as “Mercy Sunday” Jesus said to Saint Faustina:
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. On that day are open 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 forth from the very depths of My 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. (Diary 699)
On April 30, 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized Blessed Faustina and also called for the celebration of the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday throughout the Church.
The Divine Mercy Message
The message of mercy is that God loves us “each of us” no matter how great our sins. He wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others.
How do we receive His Special Mercy, and extraordinary graces?
Go to Confession (within eight days before or after Divine Mercy Sunday)
Receive Holy Communion on Mercy Sunday (or on the Saturday Vigil Mass that weekend)
Say the Chaplet at 3:00 p.m. on Mercy Sunday
Ask for His Mercy.
Be merciful to others.
Completely trust in Jesus.
Pray for the Pope's intention.