Monday, April 09, 2007

Divine Mercy Sunday Information - Fallen Away Catholics

Divine Mercy

The following was sent to Sue who was good enough to share it:

Dear Sue,

I wrote an article aimed at getting Fallen-away Catholics back to
Church. I thought that your prayer warriors might be able to use it for their family or may want to publish it.

Sincerely yours for all souls,

Robert R. Allard, Director
Apostles of Divine Mercy


EVERYONE: PLEASE BE SURE TO CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE INFORMATION YOU WILL NEED FOR DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY.

MESSAGE FOR ALL CATHOLICS:

"JESUS IS IN THE CONFESSIONAL"

Despite recent attempts at discrediting the Catholic Church, many fallen-away Catholics will soon be returning to the practice of their faith. The reason: the Church's new feast on the Sunday after Easter. What new feast you might be saying? It is the "Feast of The Divine Mercy". The Catholic Church has been celebrating this feast ever since the Vatican had made it official on April 30th in the Jubilee year 2000. Why would every Catholic want to come back, you might be asking? It is the promise that Our Lord Jesus Himself made for total and complete forgiveness of sins and punishment on that day, even to the most terrible sinner imaginable. God in His great mercy is giving mankind a last chance for salvation. It is time for Catholics to get serious about their faith!

When did Jesus make this promise and how does one get it? Jesus left all the details in a diary that He commanded Saint Faustina to write in the 1930's. It was her job to record everything that He wanted mankind to know about His mercy before He returns to judge the world. To get this great promise one has to go to Confession and
then receive Holy Communion on that Feast of The Divine Mercy, which
has now been called Divine Mercy Sunday throughout the whole
Church. Jesus said, "Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment." (Diary, 300) Jesus was talking about receiving Holy Communion in a perfect state of grace. To achieve this state of grace we must go and make a very good Confession.

How many today receive Holy Communion with souls stained with mortal sins? When a person receives the true Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus in Holy Communion without first going to Confession to cleanse their souls, that soul is going even deeper into sin. Many have not confessed their sins in a long time so this
special promise of a complete pardon is a great incentive to go and confess.

In Saint Faustina's diary, she recorded that Jesus also indicated that He Himself is actually right there waiting for us in the confessional. He told her, "When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I Myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the
soul meets the God of mercy. Tell souls that from this fount of mercy souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity." (1602)

Jesus knew that people would need to hear these words today, so He went on to say "Come with faith to the feet of My representative...and make your confession before Me. The person of the priest is, for Me, only a screen. Never analyze what sort of a
priest that I am making use of; open your soul in confession as you would to Me, and I will fill it with My light." (1725) "Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy." (1602)

Many feel that their sins are unforgivable but, Jesus said, "Were a soul like a decaying corpse, so that from a human standpoint, there would be no hope of restoration and everything would already be lost, it is not so with God. The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that soul in full. In the Tribunal of Mercy (the sacrament of Confession) ...the greatest miracles take place and are incessantly repeated." (1448) "Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy." (1602) Every sin imaginable could be forgiven by Him!

So many people are weighed down by sin and their prideful nature keeps them away from the confession of their sins. They are living in misery. Jesus said, "Oh, how miserable are those who do not take advantage of the miracle of God's mercy! You will call out in vain, but it will be too late." (1448) "Tell aching mankind to snuggle
close to My merciful Heart, and I will fill it with peace." (1074) "There is no misery that could be a match for My mercy." (1273) Jesus came to restore sinners and one would be foolish to turn away.

On the evening of His resurrection Jesus appeared to His Apostles and the first thing that He did was to give them the power to forgive sins (John 20:19-31). This was done through the power of the Holy Spirit. For sure it wasn't the Lord's intention just for the Apostles to forgive sins, but rather, for that authority to be passed down through the Holy Spirit to all our future Bishops and Priests. That is why Confession is so much of an uplifting experience; we are actually receiving heavenly graces and the forgiveness of sins from the Lord Jesus Himself!

Most people haven't spent much time thinking about the future. Some might think that they are quite brilliant and successful in this life, but what is that as compared to eternity? The father of lies has everyone focused on this life while not thinking about what happens in the eternal life. If you really want to be wise, think about where you are going to spend eternity. We will be there for quite a long time. Many do not believe in the fires of hell. Unfortunately, those are the ones that will usually end up
there. Be wise, think about it, and take action now!

Remember Our Lord's words about Divine Mercy Sunday "I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to
Confession (before) and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment."

One should make an attempt to go to Confession before Divine Mercy Sunday. We must also remember the precepts of the Church which are:
1. Attend Mass every Sunday and every Holy Day.
2. Confess serious sins at least once a year.
3. Receive Holy Communion at least during the Easter season.
4. Observe all the days of fast and abstinence.
5. Provide for the material needs of the Church.

It would be a mistake for someone who has been away from the Church to think that they could return just for that one day. Our Lord knows our intentions and part of making a good Confession is intending never to sin again. Missing Mass on Sundays and Holy days offends Our Lord very much and is a serious sin. We need to be serious about our faith and do the best we can to help to support our Church and to
help Jesus to save as many souls as possible before He returns to judge the world. Get a fresh start and become a good and active Catholic again. Be very generous with your time, talent, and treasure. Jesus needs you today.

Our Lord also said, "I demand from you deeds of mercy which are to arise out of love for Me. The first Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Mercy, but there must also be acts of mercy...." (742) A good act of mercy would be to tell everyone about this great feast. Some people have been away from the Catholic Church for a long time. What
better reason to come back, at this very moment when we can be granted the complete forgiveness of sins and punishment?

Visit or call your nearest Catholic Church and find out when Confessions are available. When you enter the confessional, close your eyes and talk to Jesus. He will respond through the priest with words of mercy. You will walk out feeling as light as a feather and with a great weight lifted off of you. You will be made whole again. Don't wait; this could very well be your "Last hope of Salvation".

1 comment:

BJ said...

Hi! I thought you and your readers might be interested in some post-Easter news about Pope Benedict XVI...
The Pope's car is being auctioned off to raise money for Habitat for Humanity:
www.buyacarvideos.com/popecar.htm
The bidding is already more than $200,000! Personally, I think this is a really fun and creative way to raise
money. The auction goes until April 14th if you and your readers want to check it out.