Divine Mercy in The Divine Will of God
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Feast of Divine Mercy.
The mercy and peace of the Risen Christ
The mercy and peace of the Risen Christ are announced to us by the Word of God and are shown by all those who were tireless builders of peace and grace, as St John Paul II.
The greeting of the Risen Christ is always “Peace be with you.” It is the peace of Christ who died and rose again, it’s Easter peace, the peace of reconciliation of human beings with God and among themselves. It’s the peace which the world always needs, which so desperately it needs in this day and age. John Paul II proclaimed in his Easter message: “Peace be with you! This is the first greeting of the Risen One to his disciples; a greeting which echoes today throughout the world. O Good News, so long awaited, so greatly desired! O proclamation of consolation for all those oppressed beneath the burden of sin and its many structures! For all, especially for the least and the poor, we proclaim today the hope of peace, of true peace, founded on the solid pillars of love and justice, of truth and freedom”.
On April 7, 1901, Luisa in her diary described what she saw, but above all what she experienced in contemplating the resurrection of Jesus. She saw Jesus with His face so refulgent, that it could not be compared to any other splendor. It seemed to her that the Most Holy Humanity of Our Lord, though It was living flesh, was yet so bright and translucent, that one could see with clarity the Divinity united to the Humanity.
While she was seeing that light, she heard a voice telling her that Jesus’ Humanity received so much glory by means of perfect obedience which, destroying the ancient nature completely, gave Him back the new nature, glorious and immortal. In the same way, by means of obedience, the soul can form within herself the perfect resurrection to virtues. For example: if the soul is afflicted, obedience will make her rise again to joy; if restless, obedience will make her rise again to peace; if tempted, obedience will administer to her the strongest chain with which to bind the enemy, and will make her rise again victorious over the diabolical snares; if she is besieged by passions and vices, by killing these, obedience will make her rise again to virtues. This, to the soul, and in due time, it will also form the resurrection of the body.
The passage of the Gospel of this Sunday tells us of the two appearances of the Risen Jesus, the first, on the evening of Easter, to the disciples who stayed in the Upper Room and the other, eight days later, again in the Upper Room, with the emphasis of St. Thomas’ incredulity and then of his faith.
Jesus entrusts to the Apostles and the Church His own mission: ” As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.” The first task of this mission is to welcome the Holy Spirit and to forgive sins, let people meet the mercy of God.
It is interesting to note that Jesus did not institute the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Good Friday or on another occasion, but the evening of Easter. On the day of the greatest joy Jesus gives us the Sacrament of Reconciliation, because He wants to give us the endless joy of God, He wants us to experience all the tenderness of God our Father, as He told us in the parable the merciful Father.
Thomas was absent at the initial meeting. Faced with the narrative of the other apostles, he insists on not believing, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” It seems that the meeting of the following Sunday is wanted by Jesus precisely to meet Thomas (who certainly had a week of hell as he was without faith) in order to help him to believe, to confirm him in his fidelity to Him who died and rose, and to the community of others (the Church). Jesus said: “Put your finger, put your hand … don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”. We should feel that those words are also strongly addressed to us. Thomas could say the highest confession of faith: “You are my Lord and my God.”
Jesus concluded: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”. Here, the believers of all times, the simple Christians are already announced, for example the saints and the martyrs, the apostles of evangelization and those of charity; Here, we too are pre-announced, the believers of today who, “not having seen Him risen”, know that Christ died on the cross, He rose from the dead and is the Savior, the only Savior of the world, the Savior of the life of each of us. Christ is our treasure, our joy, the meaning of our whole life. The gospel showed those facts ” so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name”.
We too would like to see Jesus, especially when we feel alone, in the test, under the weight of the difficulties. Perhaps we think, if we had lived in Jesus’ time, we could see Him, touch Him, hear Him, talk to Him … Jesus said to Thomas: ” blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed “.
Jesus also thought of us, as we can’t see Jesus with the eyes of the body, but we can see Him with the eyes of faith. Even in Jesus’ day it was not enough to see Him; although many people saw him, they did not believe Him. Already at that time many of the first Christians had not seen Jesus personally, but they lived the beatitude that we are called to live too.
The first Christians had understood where the faith, of which Jesus speaks, arises: it arises from love. Believing is discovering that we are loved by God; it is learning to love others every day. So the first Christian community, of which the Book of Acts speaks, testifies. If you love, God enters you. He gives a new way of looking at the world around us. Faith makes us see the events with the eyes of God, it makes discover the plan that He has for us, for the other people, for the whole creation.
don (Father) Marco
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DIVINE MERCY NOVENA – Saint Faustina
Saint Faustina
Commence on Good Friday and finish on the Divine Mercy Feast of Mercy, the First Sunday after Easter. Novena to be said with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy [See bottom].
OTHER CONDITIONS :
1. Celebrate the Feast on the Sunday after Easter.
2. Go to confession either the week before or the week after the Feast day.
3. Receive Holy Communion within the same period.
4. Be merciful to others through our actions, words and prayers on their behalf.
Jesus told Sr Faustina that He would forgive all sins and punishment due, at the time of the Novena, to a soul faithfully observing these conditions.
FIRST DAY
“Today bring me ALL MANKIND, ESPECIALLY ALL SINNERS, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me.”
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins, but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from it. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Oh, omnipotence of Divine Mercy,
Salvation of sinful people,
You are a sea of mercy and compassion,
You aid those who entreat You with humility,
Eternal Father turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. (AMEN).
SECOND DAY
“Today bring me THE SOULS OF PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them, as through channels, My mercy flows out upon mankind.”
Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in us, that we may perform worthy works of mercy, and that all who see us may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in Heaven.
The fountain of God’s love
Dwells in pure hearts,
Bathed in the Sea of Mercy,
Radiant as stars, bright as the dawn.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company [of chosen ones] in Your vineyard – upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation, and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. (AMEN).
THIRD DAY
“Today bring Me ALL DEVOUT AND FAITHFUL SOULS and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness.”
Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from it. We beg this of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.
The miracles of mercy are impenetrable.
Neither the sinner nor just one will fathom them.
When You cast upon us an eye of pity,
You draw us all closer to Your love.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. (AMEN).
FOURTH DAY
“Today bring me THE PAGANS AND THOSE WHO DO NOT YET KNOW ME. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.”
Most Compassionate Jesus, You are the light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of pagans who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.
May the light of Your love
Enlighten the souls in darkness;
Grant that these souls will know You
And, together with us, praise Your mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of pagans and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. (AMEN).
FIFTH DAY
“Today bring to me THE SOULS OF HERETICS AND SCHISMATICS, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart; that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church, My wounds heal, and in this way they alleviate My Passion.”
Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of heretics and schismatics. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy.
Even for those who have torn the garment of Your unity,
A fount of mercy flows from Your Heart.
The omnipotence of Your mercy, O God,
Can lead these souls also out of error.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of heretics and schismatics, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but on the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they too, are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. (AMEN).
SIXTH DAY
“Today bring Me THE MEEK AND HUMBLE SOULS AND THE SOULS OF LITTLE CHILDREN and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who would keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is able to receive My grace, I favour humble souls with My confidence.”
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said, “Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart.” Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy, and they are the heavenly Father’s favourites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.
A truly gentle and humble soul
Already here on earth the air of paradise breathes,
And in the fragrance of her humble heart
The Creator Himself delights.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek and humble souls, and upon the souls of little children, who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them; bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. (AMEN).
SEVENTH DAY
“Today bring to Me THE SOULS WHO ESPECIALLY VENERATE AND GLORIFY MY MERCY and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over My Passion and entered most deeply into My Spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of Hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.”
Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident in Your mercy. These souls are united to Jesus and carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.
A soul who praises the goodness of the Lord
Is especially loved by Him.
She is always close to the living fountain
And draws graces from Divine Mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy and their spirit, overflowing with joy, sings a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God: Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them, “I Myself will defend as My own glory, during their lifetime, and especially at the hour of their death, those souls who will venerate My fathomless mercy.”
EIGHTH DAY
“Today bring Me THE SOULS WHO ARE IN THE PRISON OF PURGATORY and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.”
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of the purifying fire, that in that place, too, the power of Your mercy may be praised.
From the terrible heat of the cleansing fire
Rises a cry to Your mercy,
And they receive comfort, refreshment, relief
In the stream of mingled Blood and Water.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded, manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way than through the wounds of Jesus. Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. (AMEN).
NINTH DAY
“Today bring to Me SOULS WHO HAVE BECOME LUKEWARM and immerse them in the abyss of Your mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reasons I cried out; ‘Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.’ For them the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy.”
Most Compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself, I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love let these tepid souls, who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardour of Your love; and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.
Fire and ice cannot be joined;
Either the fire dies, or the ice melts,
But by Your mercy, O God,
You can make up for all that is lacking.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. (AMEN).
DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET
3.00 pm PRAYER
You expired Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls,
and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world.
O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy,
envelope the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus
as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!
THE CHAPLET OF MERCY
The Chaplet is said on ordinary Rosary beads.
Begin with:
Our Father…….Hail Mary…….The Apostles Creed
On the large bead before each decade:
Eternal Father,
I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
On the ten small beads of each decade:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Conclude the five decades saying three times:
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.