Divine Mercy Sunday

The first Sunday after Easter is celebrated as the feast of Divine Mercy.

Established by St. Pope John Paul II in the Jubilee Year 2000, Divine Mercy Sunday grew from messages that Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun and now a saint, received from Jesus in the 1930s, as World War II approached.

The image associated with Divine Mercy Sunday is based on Jesus’ appearance to St. Faustina. According to her recollection, his right hand was raised in a blessing and his left hand was touching his garment above his heart. Red and white rays emanated from his heart, symbolizing the blood and water that was poured out for our salvation and our sanctification. St. Faustina said the Lord requested that “Jesus, I trust in you” be inscribed under his image and that his image be painted and venerated throughout the world.

According to her diary, he said: “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish” (Diary, No. 48) and “By means of this image I will grant many graces to souls.” (Diary, No. 742)

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy also was given to St. Faustina with this promise: “Encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given you.” (Diary, No. 1541) “Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. … 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. I desire that the whole world know my infinite mercy.” (Diary, No. 687)

Jesus also gave St. Faustina nine intentions for which to pray the Chaplet beginning on Good Friday and ending on the Saturday before Divine Mercy Sunday.

For more information on Divine Mercy Sunday, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Divine Mercy Novena on the USCCB website here.