Divine Mercy Sunday
The Feast of Divine Mercy
First Sunday after Easter Sunday
April 30, 2000, John Paul II announces the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday.
Pope John Paul II said in his canonization of Sister Faustina, “It is important that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on this second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the church, will be called Divine Mercy Sunday.”
The Pope said that this gift of mercy will be particularly needed in the third millennium. Mercy Sunday, as the main revelation that Jesus gave to St. Faustina, is the crowning of that gift of mercy for the whole world in our time.
The institution of the feast was requested by Jesus in 1931, while communicating His will during the painting of the Image of The Divine Mercy:
Our Lord Speaks:
“I desire that there be a Feast of Mercy. I want this image, which you will paint with a brush, to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter; that Sunday is to be the Feast of Mercy.” (Diary 49)
Our Lord Speaks:
“Speak to the world about My mercy… it is a sign for the end times. After it will come the day of justice (Diary 848)…Souls perish in spite of My bitter passion…I am giving them the last hope of salvation; that is, the Feast of Mercy. If they will not adore My Mercy, they will perish for all eternity. Secretary of My mercy, write, tell souls about this great mercy of Mine, because the awful day, the day of My justice, is near” (Diary #965).
Our Lord Speaks:
“My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and 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 these souls that approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sin and punishment. On that day all the divine flood gates through which grace flow are opened. 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 angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity.” (Diary 699).
Our Lord Speaks:
“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 (Diary 699) …I desire that priests proclaim this great mercy of Mine towards souls of sinners. Let the sinner not be afraid to approach Me, the flames of mercy are burning Me-clamoring to be spent; I want to pour them out upon these souls” (Diary 50).
Our Lord Speaks:
“I demand the worship of My mercy through the Solemn Celebration of the Feast and through the veneration of the Image which is painted.” (Diary 742)
