Celebrated on the second Sunday of Easter, or one week after Easter.

This feast is one of the greatest gifts on the Church calendar. Catholics understand the role that Christmas and Easter play in our liturgical calendar, yet only recently is there a growing awareness of the Grace available to Catholics on the feast of Divine Mercy. The feast was created by Saint Pope John Paul the Great during the canonization of Sr. Faustina Kowalska on April 30, 2000.  In the life of the Church, this feast remains almost brand new, yet it is growing and taking on a new life with each passing year.

Consider the following quotes From Saint Faustina’s diary:

My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a 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 opened 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 from the very depths of My most 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.

Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. (Diary, No. 300)

I want the image solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it. (Diary, No.  341)

This Feast emerged from the very depths of My mercy, and it is confirmed in the vast depths of my tender mercies. (Diary, No. 420)

Ponder the first quote above,and think about these words spoken by Jesus to Faustina: The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. Some have compared this to experiencing a new Baptism (complete forgiveness of sins and punishment). Wow! It is important to note that the Church offers a plenary indulgence on this feast day.

Conditions to receive a plenary indulgence on Divine Mercy Sunday:

– sacramental confession

– Eucharistic Communion,

– prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff.

-“in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy-

-or, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (such as, ‘Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!’).”