By Michelle Laque Johnson
The special graces promised by Our Lord to those who receive Communion devoutly on Divine Mercy Sunday (the first Sunday after Easter) are extraordinary: complete forgiveness of sins and the punishment due them. It’s as if the soul were newly baptized. Who wouldn’t want such graces?
Perhaps that’s why the Divine Mercy devotion has spread so rapidly since Sister Faustina was canonized on April 30, 2000. But many questions remain: Why did Our Lord grant such graces? Why did He pick a Polish nun who had the most menial jobs in her convent to tell the world about these devotions? Does Our Lord expect the faithful to do anything in return for such graces?
Find out all this and more in “The Life and Times of Sister Faustina,” which airs at 10 p.m. ET, Wed., April 7, 5 a.m. ET, Sat., April 10, and 5 a.m. ET, Sun., April 11.
To prepare for this amazing feast, viewers may want to say the Novena to the Divine Mercy, which begins on Good Friday, read the “Diary of St. Faustina,”, a spiritual masterpiece; or dip into the devotion gradually through “Mercy Minutes,”, which offers small gems from the “Diary” for daily reading.
If nothing else, consider learning to say the Divine Mercy Chaplet, because of the amazing promises associated with its recitation. According to the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, the Order which promulgates this devotion, Our Lord told then-Sister Faustina:
“Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death (687). When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the Merciful Savior (1541). Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this Chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy (687). I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy (687). Through the Chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will. (1731)
Of course, in addition to prayer, Our Lord also asks souls to perform deeds of mercy, Divine Mercy Devotion.
Learn all about St. Faustina and the Divine Mercy devotions in the coming weeks -- only on EWTN Global Catholic Network.
God bless Family!
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