Divine Mercy
In the 1930s a young Polish nun, Sr Faustina Kowalska, kept a diary of hundreds of extraordinary messages and revelations of God’s mercy which she had received from our Lord. Her writings were the beginning of the Divine Mercy devotion which started even before her death and continues today in parishes around the world through the efforts of prayer groups spreading the message of God’s mercy.
This message is not new but a reminder of what the Church has always taught through scripture and tradition - that God is merciful and forgiving and that we, too, must show mercy and forgiveness. Sister Faustina’s message however, takes on a powerful new focus in the Divine Mercy devotion – that we, all of us, are called to a deeper understanding that God’s love is unlimited and available to everyone, especially the greatest sinners.
The message of mercy is indeed the message of God’s love for us. No matter how great our sins, He still loves us and wants us to recognize that His mercy is even greater! We are to call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. In this way, all will come to share His joy. Just remember ABC:
Ask for His Mercy. Approach God in prayer constantly, repent of our sins and ask Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world.
Be Merciful. Extend God’s love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us. Receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others.
Completely Trust in Jesus. God also wants us to know that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust. Trust in Jesus! The more we do, the more we will receive.
St Mary’s Divine Mercy Prayer Group started in 2002. The group meets every Thursday at 7.30 pm. The weekly devotion includes songs of praise and worship, intercessory prayers for all in need, chanting of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, praises to the mercy of God, prayers of entrustment and thanksgiving, hymns to Mary and personal testimonies of God’s mercy.
Faithful to our Lord’s admonishment to practise works of mercy, prayers are offered for the sick, the dying and the dead, in particular, for the family members, friends and loved ones of those in the Prayer Group.
The two high points in the Divine Mercy devotion each year are the Nine-Day Novena (from Good Friday to Easter Saturday) leading to Mercy Sunday (the Feast after Easter) and the Anniversary Mass on 25 August, the birthday of St Faustina.