Divine Mercy Sunday

I really do like Divine Mercy Sunday, though I’ve never been to an actual church service which observed it in the way it is designed to be celebrated. Celebration of the Divine Mercy begins on Good Friday and continues for nine days: this is a novena in the name of the Divine Mercy dedicated to nine different groups of people in need of mercy for one reason or another. It concludes with those who are ‘lukewarm’ who, in the revelation from whence this devotion comes, are described as those who caused Jesus the most pain during his Passion. (Interestingly, St Josemaria Escriva – Opus Dei guy – also thinks lukewarmness is terrible)

Devotion to the Divine Mercy is meant to help us realize that Jesus’ forgiveness and mercy are total, that he forgives even the worst sins. Part of the devotion – what I think of as the crucial part – is the giving of yourself over in complete trust to Jesus, believing firmly and absolutely that his mercy will indeed save you, covering over all your sins. Another crucial aspect of this devotion is that the person who observes it commits herself to actually being merciful, to living the mercy for others that Jesus has graciously given to her.

There are several parts to this devotion beyond the novena. The chaplet of the Divine Mercy is traditionally prayed on the feast of the Divine Mercy (today); the best case scenario is that it is prayed corporately, or at least in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. The chaplet makes use of ordinary rosary beads: it begins with the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, and the Apostles Creed. On the beads where the Our Father is normally recited, one says “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.” On the Hail Mary beads, one says “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” At the end of the chaplet, one repeats three times “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” It is not inappropriate to complete the chaplet, as I do, by saying “Lord Jesus, I trust in You.”

The image itself is meant to be publically venerated during the celebration. I have never been to a church that does this. The image was shown to St Faustina and Jesus directed her to have it painted and reveal it to the world. Jesus looks lovingly at the faithful, one hand beckoning and the other over his heart. From his heart emerge two rays of light, one red and one a kind of whitish-blue. The red represents the blood that flowed from his pierced side, as well as the life of the soul; the blueish-white represents the water, and the righteousifying of the soul. I believe Jesus promised her that the soul who recited this chaplet in genuine devotion and venerated the image would never die. Under the image are the words “Jesus, I trust in You.”

You might wonder why I’m going on and on about this devotion, even though I’ve only ever managed to celebrate it privately. Well, mostly it’s because I’d love to see this devotion spread. I would be happier if it was at least celebrated properly in all Roman Catholic churches, especially given its status (which I’ll explain later). In my perfect little dream world full of rainbows and fluffy clouds, other churches will observe this feast, too. After all, it was given to the world entire. The fact that the Roman Church has essentially declared this vision infallibly genuine is not a moment to be taken lightly; this is the highest degree of recognition possible for a private revelation, and it doesn’t happen often. So yes, I wish that I could be some sort of effective evangelist for the Divine Mercy feast and joyously spread it everywhere. Since this little un-noteworthy blog is the only quasi-forum I have, I am shamelessly hawking the feast here: ha!!

The ‘status’ of this feast I said I’d explain. In 2000, at St Faustina’s canonization, John Paul II instituted the second Sunday after Easter as the feast of the Divine Mercy, to be observed throughout the world. It was also granted by the Holy Father that a plenary indulgence is obtained by all those who observe the feast in the proper fashion.

In order to receive a plenary indulgence, a person must fulfill the normal requirements for indulgences (partial fulfillment of the requirements commutes the plenary indulgence to a partial).

WARNING: I HAVE REARRANGED THE REQUIREMENTS AND AM PARAPHRASING

The first of these is receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation. This must occur within twenty days in either direction of the granting of the indulgence (this is under the relaxed rules instituted for the Jubilee Year). I haven’t done this. I’m thinking I’m going to have to find an Anglican confessional ‘box’ somewhere within the next two weeks.

The second requirement is receiving Eucharist: it is fitting but not absolutely necessary that this be done on the day of the indulgence itself. I didn’t do this part either, because my local parish had morning prayer. Hopefully, I’ll manage tomorrow.

The third requirement is that one must desire, at least generally, to receive the indulgence. Done and done.

The fourth is that one must pray for the intentions of the Pope. Also done (and really quite simple and easy).

The fifth is that the devotion must be done devoutly and with sincerity. Yay: I think I did that.

The sixth requirement is that one be in good standing with the church. Not excommunicated. Um. How exactly are we defining ‘Church?’ I’m thinking that I haven’t pulled this one off exactly. Oops. But technically, technically, this condition applies not to the person performing the devotion for which an indulgence is granted but to the person who is the recipient of the indulgence. All indulgences (or anyway almost all) are transferrable to souls in Purgatory, though not to anyone else who’s currently alive. I haven’t gained an indulgence for myself in quite some time – I’m banking on Viaticum. Here’s hoping I don’t die suddenly! So, presumably, some pious and devout soul in Purgatory who most needed it just got my indulgence, or anyway will when I finally fulfill my missing requirements.

Victory!!

Now: does anyone know of any parish or individual with potential interest in observing this feast in the future? Because I’m all for promoting it!

Come
and eat from the Tree of Life,
for He is the Bread that’s given;
lifted up on high branches
to glory.

See
how the Cross in the springtime flowers,
bringing new life upon the earth,
and transforming the gloomy morning
forever.
See
how we kneel at the foot of the Cross,
giving worship to our true Lord,
Who has saved us from all our sorrow
Forever.

Come
and eat from the Tree of Life,
for He is the Bread that’s given;
lifted up on high branches
to glory.

“I
am the Way and the Truth and the Life,
he who comes to Me shall not hunger,
he who believes in Me shall not die,
but live forever.”

Come
and eat from the Tree of Life,
for He is the Bread that’s given;
lifted up on high branches
to glory.

See
how our God, once hung on a tree,
once laid in a final tomb,
has rolled away death’s sting
forever.
See
how the marks in His hands remind us
of His Divine Mercy for us,
Lord Jesus I trust in You
Forever.

Come
and eat from the Tree of Life,
for He is the Bread that’s given;
lifted up on high branches
to glory.

--A little song written for this day (and I do realize that I’ve posted this up elsewhere).