MADISON/SAUK CITY/ MONONA — St. John Paul II declared in the Great Jubilee year 2000 that throughout the Church, the Sunday after Easter will be known as Divine Mercy Sunday.
Divine Mercy message
The message of the Divine Mercy is that God is love itself poured out for us and this love is more powerful than any kind of evil in which individuals, humanity, or the world are entangled. All need Divine Mercy.
St. John Paul II referred to the many instructions that Jesus gave to St. Faustina regarding His request for a Feast of Mercy on the Sunday after Easter. St. Faustina’s Diary records 14 occasions when Jesus requested that a Feast of Divine Mercy (Divine Mercy Sunday) be observed.Jesus also instructed her to paint an image of Him just as He appeared to her and to have it blessed and venerated on the first Sunday after Easter throughout the world.
Jesus promised that “on that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open” and that He would open His heart and pour out His mercy like a “whole ocean of graces” to those who go to Confession and receive Holy Communion.
Madison celebration
A celebration of the Feast of Divine Mercy will be held in the chapel at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison, on Sunday, April 12.
Confessions will be heard from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. The Rosary will be prayed at 1 p.m. with Mass celebrated at 2 p.m.
Sauk City celebration
Divine Mercy Sunday will be celebrated on April 12, beginning at 2 p.m., at St. Aloysius Church, 115 Madison St., with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available during Mass and throughout the afternoon.
Eucharistic Adoration will begin at 3 p.m. The “Divine Mercy Chaplet” will be sung and Benediction will follow.
The event will conclude with a potluck dinner; bring a dish to pass.
In preparation for the Feast of of the Divine Mercy, the “Divine Mercy Novena and Chaplet” will be prayed. A first-class relic of St. Faustina will be present during this novena.
These nine consecutive days of prayer in preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday will be offered at 2 p.m. each day beginning on Good Friday in the Divine Mercy Chapel at St. Aloysius Church.
The blessing of a new apostolate, Servants of Divine Mercy, will also be celebrated on April 12. A framed Divine Mercy image will be distributed by the Servants of Divine Mercy to those attending.
Monona celebration
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 5101 Schofield St., will hold a Divine Mercy celebration on April 12 beginning at 2:30 p.m. followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, singing of the Divine Mercy chaplet, Litany of the Saints, meditation, recitation of the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Litany, and Benediction/Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Priests will be available for Confessions throughout the service. A reception will follow in the church gathering area.
Check your local parish for other Mercy Sunday observances.