As we continue to reflect on how we can “increase our faith,” let us consider the spiritual programs offered here at St. Mary’s that allow us to do so. Last week we highlighted The Rosary which is prayed Monday-Friday after the 7:00 am & 12:10 pm Holy Masses, each Monday at 5:00 pm in the rectory, each Tuesday after the 7:00 pm Holy Mass with the Young Adult Group and the second Saturday of each month with those of all abilities with a focus on those with special needs after the 4:00 pm Vigil Mass.
This week let’s explore the Divine Mercy Chaplet. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed Monday through Friday in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel at 3:00 pm. Pope St. John Paul II described Divine Mercy as the answer to the world’s problems. He beatified and canonized Sr. Maria Faustina Kowalska in Rome and not in Poland to underscore that Divine Mercy is for the whole world. He further established the Sunday after Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. It was in 2002 he entrusted the whole world to Divine Mercy when he consecrated the International Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Poland, the site of St. Faustina’s tomb.
Pope St. John Paul II stated: “The Message of Divine Mercy has always been near and dear to me… which I took with me to the See of Peter and which it in a sense forms the image of this Pontificate.”
In her diary, St. Faustina received messages from our Lord Jesus, who asked her to write them down, which she compiled into a journal, which is called The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. In one passage she writes: “The graces of My mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is — trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive.” — Diary, 1578
I encourage all to do two things. First, join us for the Divine Mercy Chaplet in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel and secondly read St. Faustina’s Diary.
Jesus, I trust in You!
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Fr. Wayne