Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
Diary, 476
A New Yet Powerful Devotion
When Jesus appeared to St. Faustina, He told her that He desired the Sunday following Easter Sunday to be dedicated to His Divine Mercy. He chose this specific day to show the connection between His Resurrection and His Divine Mercy. The Church celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday for the first time after St. Faustina was canonized in the year 2000, meaning this devotion is relatively new. Regardless, this powerful devotion has changed lives.
Receiving Divine Mercy
On Divine Mercy Sunday, we have a special opportunity to obtain Jesus’s mercy so that He’ll make our souls as pure as snow. Jesus promises that those who go to confession and receive the Eucharist on Divine Mercy Sunday will receive His Divine Mercy, and He’ll grant abundant graces and complete forgiveness of sins.
Unfortunately, because we’re in the middle of a pandemic, this might not be possible for everyone. However, we can still participate in Divine Mercy Sunday and obtain the graces that come with it!
Accommodating for Covid
If you can’t make it to Mass, live stream it or watch it on TV. Be sure to pray the Spiritual Communion prayer, which is a way to receive the Eucharist spiritually when you can’t make it to Mass. The Spiritual Communion prayer is a way to recognize Jesus’ true presence in the Eucharist, invite Him into your soul, and avoid temptation.
If you can’t make it to confession, Pope Francis says that during these extenuating circumstances, you can confess your sins directly to God. At first, this didn’t sit right with me because as Catholics, we know the importance of confessing our sins to priests in the sacrament of confession. However, these are incredibly rare and unusual circumstances and priests aren’t available. Our Holy Father says, “Do what the Catechism (of the Catholic Church) says. It is very clear: If you cannot find a priest to confess to, speak directly with God, your father, and tell Him the truth. Say, ‘Lord, I did this, this, this. Forgive me,’ and ask for pardon with all your heart.” Make an act of contrition, the Pope said, and promise God, “‘I will go to confession afterward, but forgive me now.’ And immediately you will return to a state of grace with God.” When we go to Confession, we have to confess our sins by name and wholeheartedly ask forgiveness. Although this isn’t the same, it’s what will work for now if we’re intentional with our confession. Don’t forget to make an examination of conscience beforehand to prepare your heart for confession.
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The Chaplet of Divine Mercy
I highly recommend praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy today. Praying this chaplet offers our Heavenly Father the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus, which is the next best thing to the Mass. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is basically an act of Spiritual Communion! The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will deepen your devotion to Jesus’ Divine Mercy, and during these uncertain times, you can intercede for the whole world and implore the Lord for His mercy.
(Read Why Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy?)
Still Surrounded by Mercy
On this unusual but still beautiful Divine Mercy Sunday, don’t let separation from the sacraments prevent you from receiving Divine Mercy. Jesus longs to give it. All we have to do is ask. No matter what disasters and pandemics occur in this world, Jesus is always near and there’s nothing that His Divine Mercy can’t overcome. My prayer is that on this Divine Mercy Sunday, you can increase your trust in our Savior and feel His Divine Mercy surround you.
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Thank you and what a perfect prayer at the end!
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Thank you! Have a wonderful Divine Mercy Sunday!
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