Divine Mercy Sunday

The message of The Divine Mercy is simple. It is that God loves all of us. He wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy. 

The image of the Divine Mercy consists of Jesus clothed in a white garment with His right hand raised in blessing. His left hand was touching His heart, from where two large rays come forth, one red and the other white. The two rays denote blood and water. The red ray stands for the blood which is the life of souls. The white ray stands for the water which makes souls righteous. These two rays issued forth from the depths of Jesus’ tender mercy when His heart was opened by a lance on the Cross.

Special graces can be received when one goes to confession and receives Holy Communion on Divine Mercy Sunday, this year, April 19. But how to receive these graces in this time of social separation? The response offered by the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy is even though churches are closed and you cannot go to Confession and receive Holy Communion, you can receive these special graces this Sunday by doing three things.

First, make an Act of Contrition with the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental Confession as soon as possible. O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins because of your just punishments, but most of all because they offend you, my God, who is all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.

Second, make a Spiritual Communion with the intent to return to the sacrament of Holy Communion as soon as possible. My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though you were already there, I embrace you and unite myself to you; permit not that I should ever be separated from you. Amen.

Third, say a prayer similar to the following: Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Through my Act of Contrition and Spiritual Communion may I receive the grace of complete forgiveness of all my sins. Amen.