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After Easter, Catholics and Christians of all backgrounds can argue and debate which is the second most important day on the calendar.
I’m not advocating for one over the other, but since we’re nearing it, I’m going to talk about a day that should be in consideration for the next best day — Divine Mercy Sunday.
It’s the Sunday that comes after Easter, the eighth day of the Easter Octave, and depending upon the parish or the parishioner, there have been many different ways to observe that day.
At minimum, it usually includes veneration of the Image of Divine Mercy and/or praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Those who are the “next level” Divine Mercy-ers started the Divine Mercy Novena on Good Friday, are planning on going to Confession on or near said Sunday, and do something extra like praying the Rosary.
I’m a big proponent of keeping things simple and making them easy and accessible to everyone.
That’s what I’m going to attempt to do. Make this the “easiest,” but most fruitful Divine Mercy Sunday you have ever had.
The promise
As we continue along, and I attempt to present things factual, the resource I am using is the website for the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary who are the “Official promoters of the authentic Divine Mercy message since 1941”.
Their website is: https://www.marian.org
If you have some familiarity with Divine Mercy Sunday, you know you can get special graces if you go to Confession on that day.
Well, that’s part of it, and yes, there is an indulgence associated with the feast day, but wait, there’s more!
For that, I’m going to borrow directly from the website:
“In her Diary, St. Faustina records a special promise given to her by Jesus. He told her to communicate it to the whole world:
“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. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy (699).
“In three places in her Diary, St. Faustina records our Lord’s promises of specific, extraordinary graces:
“I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My mercy (1109).
“Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment (300).
“The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion will obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment (699).
“To receive these graces, the only condition is to receive Holy Communion worthily on Divine Mercy Sunday (or the Vigil celebration) by making a good confession beforehand and staying in the state of grace and trusting in His Divine Mercy [underline mine].”
‘That’s it?’
Technically speaking, yes.
Make a good Confession, receive Communion in the state of grace, and pray for/trust in His mercy.
You do that, and you receive total forgiveness from punishment and sin.
The Marians call it a “second Baptism”.
Isn’t that an incredible opportunity?
While it doesn’t take a lot of effort to do all of these things, you still have to be contrite and believe in what you’re doing.
And doing the other things like venerating the Image or praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet aren’t bad ideas to still do on Divine Mercy Sunday.
But please, take advantage of this incredible gift God is giving you.
You have a chance to truly wipe your sinful slate clean and start anew trusting in God.