Parishes in the Diocese of Little Rock will join Catholics around the world to observe Divine Mercy Sunday April 24.
St. John Paul II put the devotion on the Church’s universal calendar for the Sunday after Easter.
St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who promoted the Divine Mercy devotion, was canonized by St. John Paul II in 2000. The devotion began in the late 1930s by St. Faustina, who had a vision of Jesus where he asked for devotions to divine mercy.
Pope Francis marked the 90th anniversary of the apparition of Jesus to St. Faustina in 2021. He wrote a letter to Catholics in Poland expressing his hope that Christ's message of divine mercy would remain "alive in the hearts of the faithful."
According to a statement released by the Polish bishops' conference Feb. 22, 2021, the anniversary of the apparition, the pope said he was united in prayer with those commemorating the anniversary at the Divine Mercy Shrine in Krakow and encouraged them to ask Jesus "for the gift of mercy."
In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that she had witnessed a vision of Jesus on Feb. 22, 1931, while she was living at a convent in Plock, Poland. Christ, she wrote, had one hand raised in benediction and the other resting on his breast, from which emanated two rays of light. She said Christ demanded to have this image painted — along with the words "Jesus, I trust in you" — and venerated.
Recalling St. John Paul II's devotion to St. Faustina and Christ's message of divine mercy, the pope said his predecessor was "the apostle of mercy" who "wanted the message of God's merciful love to reach all inhabitants of earth."
Twenty-four parishes will host holy hours for Divine Mercy Sunday, which could include praying the Divine Mercy chaplet, adoration, confession, music and Benediction.
Catholic News Service contributed to this article.
Please read our Comments Policy before posting.
Article comments powered by Disqus El mensaje del Obispo Taylor sobre Padre Erik Pohlmeier
Fort Smith man celebrates birthday with gift to newborns
How does celibacy apply to married Catholic priests?
Bishop announces seven new pastoral appointments
Parishioners find creative way to honor the Master Artist
Pandemic didn’t stop diaconate preparations for 46 men
Sara Jones to take over leadership of Mount St. Mary June 1
Nieto ready to lead flock at St. Theresa in Little Rock
Bishop Taylor's statement on Bishop-elect Pohlmeier
Fr. Pohlmeier to lead kingdom of God in St. Augustine
Three Pocahontas residents die
Bingo for Life and Dinner May 21
No excuse for Christians to have closed mind
Seminarians heard voice of God and are following him
Life can be empty when we stray from Jesus
Fear common theme in Easter season readings
Getting angry with God actually very bad idea