Divine Mercy

REMINDER – DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY 2020 Due to the current restrictions, it is not possible to fulfil the usual requirements for Divine Mercy this year. We can still venerate the image on Sunday April 19th and we can live stream Mass and partake in a spiritual communion. It is sufficient to reflect upon one’s sins with a firm purpose of amendment and truly contrite heart, perhaps with the intention of going to confession when our churches reopen. The chaplet and image can be downloaded from https://divinemercy.life/chaplet-of-divine-mercy/ and a list of Mass times across the UK and Ireland is available at https://www.churchservices.tv/timetable/ Some have Mass in the morning with the devotions at 3pm, others have Mass and devotions at 3pm.

This 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 and promises she received from Jesus about God’s mercy.

After more than 20 years of Vatican investigation, Pope John-Paul II canonised Sr. Faustina and instigated the Sunday after Easter as “a day of graces for sinners ”, re-stating Jesus’ promise of “complete forgiveness of sins AND any punishment due”. “ This is equal to the grace we receive in baptism. It offers a completely new beginning ”, he said.

The message and devotional practices proposed in the Diary are thus completely in accordance with the teachings of the Church and are firmly rooted in the Gospel message of our Merciful Saviour. Properly understood and implemented, they will help us grow as genuine followers of Christ.

You are welcome to spend time with us learning more about the mercy of God, to trust in Jesus, and to live your life as mercifully to others as Christ is merciful to you.

•Come to say the Divine Mercy Chaplet with us (said before Friday evening mass at St. Edward’s). Jesus said: “The greater the sinner, the more is my mercy…I do not exclude anyone. If the most hardened sinner recites this chaplet even once, they will receive grace from My infinite Mercy.”

•Come to the Divine Mercy prayer group, every second Wednesday of the month, in St. Edward’s Church Hall Upper Room at 7pm where we often have visiting speakers or video and faith sharing and you can view Divine Mercy resources. Here we can help you learn more about the Faustinum Association of Apostles of the Divine Mercy.

• Our hospital visitors and others can also say the chaplet in the presence of the sick. Jesus promised: “When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between my Father and the dying person, not as a just judge, but as the merciful Saviour”.

•Take part in the annual Feast Day on the Sunday after Easter, comprising Blessing of Image and Exposition, 3 O’Clock prayer, Confession & Chaplet, Veneration of Image & Benediction, Mass and music, followed by a full buffet in the church hall. Jesus said: “I desire that this feast be a refuge and shelter for all souls, especially poor sinners. The very depths of my mercy will be opened on that day. I will pour out a sea of graces upon those souls that will approach the Fount of My Mercy on this day”. Pray a Novena for nine days starting Good Friday, also attend confession in the Novena period & receive Communion on the Feast Day itself. Jesus promised: “The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment for them. 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.”

Prayer and Chaplet cards are available in the Church porches. Keep an eye on the newsletter and notice board for details of pilgrimages, prayer and other events and news concerning the Divine Mercy.

Praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed.

2. Then on the Our Father Beads say the following:
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.

3. On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

(Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades)

4. Conclude with (three times):
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
End with the Sign of the Cross

Optional Closing Prayer
O Blood and Water that gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of mercy for us, I trust in You.

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

Three O’Clock Prayer (to be said at the hour of greatest mercy)
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelope the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.