Introduction
The
Divine Mercy devotion is associated with Sister Faustina, a nun from
Poland who is said to have received messages from Christ in the 1930's.
Her writings concerning these messages especially speak of the Lord's
great mercy to sinners and His supposed desire that persons trust in his
mercy.
Originally,
the spreading of the Divine Mercy images and writings was prohibited,
but Karol Cardinal Wojtyla (the future Pope John Paul II), also of
Poland, was "primarily responsible for the reversal of this
decision." In response to Sister Faustina's writings, Pope John Paul II also declared
that the Sunday after Easter would be called "Divine Mercy Sunday"
and a plenary indulgence was decreed (try here for more
information). In
2000, Pope John Paul II canonized Sister Faustina.
In
addition to "Divine Mercy Sunday", various practices are
associated with the Devotion to Divine Mercy. For example:
*
Veneration of the Divine Mercy Image (see
below)
*
Recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet (see
below)
*
Honoring the "Hour of Great Mercy" (see
below)
*
Recitation of the "Divine Mercy Novena" (see
below)
Catholics
should note that although St. Faustina wrote extensively on Christ's
great mercy, she did not fail to mention His justice [as Scripture says
"For mercy and anger alike are with him" (Sirach 5:7)].
For example, her diary speaks
of chastisement (#39), hell (#43), mortal sin (#41), of a deceased
religious sister "all in flames" (#58), of the "great crowd
of suffering souls" in purgatory (#20), and that "even the smallest
transgressions will have to be accounted for" (#36). Her diary also
indicates that Christ said: "...woe to them if they do not
recognize this time of My visitation" (#1160) and that
"...[sinners] perish in such great numbers" (#1396) and that
there are certain lukewarm souls that He "cannot stand"
(#1702). [Note: References herein are to paragraphs in St. Faustina's
Diary.]
Although
"negative" portions of her writings such as those indicated above
are often neglected, they are clearly part of her complete message.
Therefore, we are encouraged to repent and make satisfaction for our
sins - to take advantage of this "time of mercy" before it
will be too late for mercy. While we are to seek out & appreciate the
Lord's mercy, we must not become presumptuous. We must make a complete
conversion and abhor every sin.
It
should be noted that in this age of "political correctness",
other parts of her message have also been downplayed. Significantly, it
should be noted that her Divine Mercy Novena - which is taken directly
from her diary and supposedly contains the actual words of Jesus - has been
changed by "moderns" to eliminate "offensive" words
(e.g. "heretics", "schismatics", etc.), even though such words
supposedly came from Christ. [Note that use of such
'offensive' words is scriptural - e.g. "After a first and second warning, break off contact with a
heretic, realizing that such a person is perverted and sinful and stands self-condemned."
(Ti. 3:10-11, emphasis added)].
In general, some "moderns" many tend to
distort the message of the Lord's mercy and lead persons into
presumption. Clearly, while one must appreciate & seek out the great mercy of the Lord, one
must not be presumptuous. As we are told in Holy Scripture:
"Of forgiveness be not overconfident, adding sin upon sin. Say not:
'Great is his mercy; my many sins he will forgive.' For mercy and anger alike are with him; upon the wicked alights his wrath.
Delay not your conversion to the LORD, put it not off from day to day; For suddenly his wrath flames forth; at the time of vengeance, you will be destroyed."
(Sirach
5:5-9)
It
is clear that the message proceeding Christ's public teaching, "Repent,
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Mt. 3:2), is just as applicable now as it was
then. While we know that Christ can forgive all sins, we must realize
that now is the time for mercy, now is the
time to stop sinning and to repent of past sins. We must not wait until it is too late, when mercy
will no longer be possible, and when our sins may plunge us into hell.
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Footnote
Q & A
Q.
Are Catholics obliged to believe that Christ spoke to St.
Faustina?
A.
No. Private revelations are not binding on Catholics.
Although the Church may rule a devotion "worthy of belief",
it is true that readers may have difficulty (or even serious
difficulty) with
certain aspects of Sister Faustina's writings [e.g. where her diary speaks
of her not having to fear judgment as she will
not be judged (#374), where her diary tells that her
chastity should be "greater than that of the
Angels" (#534, emphasis added), where her diary says that Christ
assured her "of a permanent income" on which she
will live (#548), where her diary says that Christ offered
to create a new world for Sister Faustina to live in if she
wished Him to do so (#587), where her diary speaks of Christ -
who was able to bear the Passion near the gaze of his
weeping Mother - not being able to bear Sister Faustina's
tears (#928), where her diary claims that Christ united
Himself with her so intimately "as with no other
creature" (#707), that Christ is supposed to have said that
mankind should "snuggle close" to Christ's
merciful Heart (#1074), that Christ is said to have called
Sr. Faustina a "sweet grape" and that He "want(s)
others to have a share in the juice that is flowing within"
her (#393), that Sister Faustina directly says that someone
"suffered because of my sanctity" (#1571) and writes that
Christ said "Of course you are a saint" (#1571), that Christ
is supposed to have told Sister Faustina to tell the
Superior General that she (Sister Faustina) was "the most
faithful daughter in the Order" (#1130), that Christ is said
to have asked Sister Faustina questions such as "My
daughter, do you need anything?" (#1682) and "What are you
doing here so early?" (#1705), that Our Lord is supposed to
have referred to the Apostle's Creed as "the I believe in
God" (#476), and that Christ supposedly said that all
creatures "whether they know it or not, and whether they
want to or not, always fulfill my will" (which would have to
include Lucifer & Adam & Eve, all Satanists, all
abortionists, all those who reject & blaspheme Him, etc.), not to mention concern over false prophecies, contradictions, etc. in her diary -
For more on this topic try User-Submitted Article: "What's
Up With Faustina's Divine Mercy Devotion? Unanswered
Questions & Things You May Not Know" and
subsequent articles
here and
here] and that Catholics may also have difficulty with the
fact that the devotion is so heavily promoted by the
Protestant-inspired charismatic movement, that it may
promote Communion
in the hand (#44, #160), that writings associated with
this devotion were on the Index of Forbidden Books before
Vatican II, and that devotees of this devotion may
"replace" the Holy
Rosary with the chaplet of Divine Mercy (said on rosary
beads) - even though our Blessed Mother requested the Rosary
in an extraordinary, approved apparition witnessed by
thousands just a few years previously (at Fatima).
Furthermore, there is concern that this more recent devotion
often "eclipses" the traditional, unmistakably
Catholic devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (note that
Protestants, who generally reject traditional images of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have been known to make use of the
Divine Mercy image). Regardless of these difficulties and
concerns, however, we already know that Christ's mercy is great, as
indicated in Holy Scripture and especially as evidenced by
his death upon the cross for sinners. Certainly, a special
"vision from God" has never been necessary for
Catholics to know this truth.
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Additional
Information
As
indicated above, in addition to the feast of Divine Mercy (in the Novus
Ordo calendar), various
practices are associated with Faustina's devotion to Divine Mercy. The
following contains information regarding some of the practices.
Sister
Faustina claimed that Christ promised special graces* to those who
venerate her Divine Mercy image. It should be noted that there are various
versions of the "Divine Mercy" image. According to St.
Faustina, Christ requested that the image be painted and venerated. The
original was painted under St. Faustina's direction and contains an
image (purportedly) of Christ on a dark background with a white garment, with His right hand raised and
emanating red
and white rays. Her diary states that Christ instructed that the image
contain the line "Jesus, I trust in You". Reminder:
Catholics should NOT neglect to venerate the Sacred Heart image, an
unmistakably Catholic image! (click
here) [*Note: For issues with Faustina's Divine Mercy image &
alleged promises, try user-submitted articles
here and
here and
here, and the 'Quick Help' Page
here]
St.
Faustina claimed that Christ requested the recitation of a Divine Mercy chaplet on ordinary Rosary beads (#476).
Those praying the chaplet proceed as follows:
Said
at the beginning (click on underlined link for
text): Our
Father, Hail
Mary, and
Apostles'
Creed
Recited
on
each large bead (the Our Father beads): Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Your
Dearly Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
in atonement for our sins and those of the
whole world.
Recited
on
each small bead (the Hail Mary beads):
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Said
at the conclusion (three times): Holy
God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Reminder: Those who say the Divine Mercy chaplet should NOT
neglect to pray the Rosary daily! (click
here)
The
3:00 Hour: Honoring the "Hour of Great Mercy"
It
is a pious practice of Catholics to honor the 3:00 hour each afternoon -
the time of Christ's death on the Cross.* St. Faustina's diary contains
the following prayer which may be said each day at 3:00 p.m. (#1319)
You
expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the
ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life,
unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself
out upon us. [O Blood and water, which gushed forth from the Heart of
Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You. Amen.]
*
Note: It is traditional for Catholics to recite the Lord's Prayer each
day at 3:00 p.m. Those who are devotees of
Faustina's 'Divine Mercy' devotion may instead supplant the Lord's
Prayer given to us by Jesus in Holy Scripture with Faustina's 3:00
prayer (above) which is based on her alleged private revelations.
Tradition-minded Catholics, however, may avoid this 'questionable
devotion' as Faustina - who admits her body smelled like a corpse (in
contrast to other saints who emitted pleasant fragrances) - is known for
a diary which contains factual errors, contradictions, unfulfilled
prophecies, and theological issues. For more information on Faustina's
'Divine Mercy' devotion, please see our publication: "What's Up With
Faustina's Divine Mercy Devotion? Unanswered Questions & Things You May
Not Know"
here. Or, try online version (click
here). [Update: Also try second publication
here (online version
here) and subsequent article
here.]
St. Faustina's diary includes the
following novena, said by devotees in preparation for
Divine Mercy Sunday. Those saying the novena would begin on Good
Friday.
The
following is the text of the "Novena to the Divine Mercy"
which is contained in St. Faustina's Diary (beginning at paragraph
#1209). Reminder: As indicated above, some versions of this novena
have been altered by certain "moderns" who have eliminated
"offensive" words from the novena (e.g. heretics, schismatics,
"prison of Purgatory", etc.), even though such words
supposedly came from
Christ. The translation below is a more complete and faithful version which
retains these words Faustina attributes to Jesus that they deem
"offensive".
Day
1 (Good Friday)
Today,
bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the
ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief
into which the loss of souls plunges Me.
Most
Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to
forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon the trust which we place
in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most
Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You
by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Oh
omnipotence of Divine Mercy, salvation of sinful people, You are a sea
of mercy and compassion; You aid those who entreat You with humility.
Eternal
Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon
poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For
the sake of His sorrowful Passion, show us Your mercy, that we may praise
the omnipotence of Your mercy forever and ever. Amen.
Day
2 (Holy Saturday)
Today
bring to Me the souls of priests and religious, and immerse them in My
unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me the strength to endure My bitter
Passion. Through them, as through channels, My mercy flows out upon
mankind.
Most
Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in
us, that we may perform worthy works of mercy, and that all who see us
may glorify the Father of
Mercy who is in heaven.
The
fountain of God's love dwells in pure hearts, bathed in the Sea of
Mercy, radiant as stars, bright as the dawn.
Eternal
Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your
vineyard - upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with
the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son, in
which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they
may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice
sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.
Day
3 (Easter Sunday)
Today
bring to Me all devout and faithful souls, and immerse them in the ocean
of My mercy. These souls brought me consolation on the Way of the Cross.
They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness.
Most
Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces
in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your
Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this
grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with
which Your Heart burns so fiercely.
The
miracles of mercy are impenetrable. Neither the sinner nor just one will
fathom them. When You cast upon us an eye of pity, You draw us all
closer to Your love.
Eternal
Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the
inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant
them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus
may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but
rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your
boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Day
4 (Easter Monday)
Today
bring to Me the pagans and those who do not yet know me. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their
future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.
Most
Compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into
the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of pagans who as
yet do not know You. Let the rays of
Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol
Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is
Your Most Compassionate Heart.
May
the light of Your love enlighten the souls in darkness; Grant that these
souls will know You and, together with us, praise Your mercy.
Eternal
Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of pagans and of those
who as yet do not know You, but who are
enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the
light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is
to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your
mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Day
5 (Tuesday After Easter/Easter Tuesday)
Today
bring to Me the souls of heretics and schismatics, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter
Passion they tore at My Body and Heart; that is, My Church. As they
return to unity with the Church, My wounds heal, and in this way they
alleviate My Passion.
Most
Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who
seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart
the souls of heretics and schismatics. Draw
them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them
escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it
about that they, too, come to adore the generosity of Your mercy.
Even
for those who have torn the garment of Your unity, a fount of mercy
flows from Your Heart. The omnipotence of Your mercy, Oh God, can lead
these souls also out of error.
Eternal
Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of heretics and
schismatics, who have squandered Your
blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their
errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son
and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since
they, too, are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about
that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Day 6
(Wednesday After Easter/Easter Wednesday)
Today
bring to Me the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My
Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as
earthly Angels, who would keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them
whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is able to receive My
grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.
Most
Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am
meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most
Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little
children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy, and they are the
heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before
the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These
souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus,
and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.
A
truly gentle and humble soul already here on earth the air of paradise
breathes, and in the fragrance of her humble heart The Creator Himself
delights.
Eternal
Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and
upon little children, who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most
Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance
to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very
throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You
bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole
world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy
for endless ages. Amen.
Day
7 (Thursday After Easter/Easter Thursday) *
Today
bring to Me the souls who especially venerate and glorify My mercy, and
immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over My Passion and
entered most deeply into My Spirit. They are living images of My
Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in
the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall
particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.*
Most
Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of
Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol
and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with
the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and
adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy. These souls are united to
Jesus and carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not
be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from
this life.*
A
soul who praises the goodness of her Lord is especially loved by Him.
She is always close to the living fountain and draws graces from Mercy
Divine.
Eternal
Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate
Your greatest attribute*, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are
enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a
living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their
spirits,
overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I
beg You O God: Show
them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You.
Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them,
I Myself will defend as My own glory, during their lifetime, and
especially at the hour of their death, those souls who will venerate My
fathomless mercy.*
[* Note: For doctrinal issues concerning the above, try user articles
here
and
here and
here.]
Day
8 (Friday After Easter/Easter Friday)
Today
bring to Me the souls who are in the prison of Purgatory, and immerse them in
the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their
scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are
making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them
relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and
offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they
suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and
pay off their debt to My justice.
Most
Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring
into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory,
souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to
Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from
Your Heart put out the flames of the purifying fire, that in that place,
too, the power
of Your mercy may be praised.
From
the terrible heat of the cleansing fire raises a plaint to Your mercy,
and they receive comfort, refreshment, relief in the stream of mingled
Blood and Water.
Eternal
Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory,
who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by
the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with
which His most sacred Soul was flooded, manifest Your mercy to the souls
who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way than through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly
believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.
Day
9 (Saturday After Easter/Easter Saturday)
Today
bring to Me souls who have become lukewarm, and immerse them in the
abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul
suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of
lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup
away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them, the last hope of salvation
is to flee to My mercy.
Most
Compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls
into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your
pure love, let these tepid souls, who, like corpses, filled You with
such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate
Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the
very ardor of Your love; and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for
nothing is beyond Your power.
Fire
and ice cannot be joined; Either the fire dies, or the ice melts, but by
Your mercy, O God, You can make up for all that is lacking.
Eternal
Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless
enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I
beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on
the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy...
Also
Try...
Divine Mercy Devotion Controversy (Sharable Flier/Image)
Faustina's 'Divine Mercy' Image ('Quick Help' Page)
What's Up With Faustina's Divine Mercy Devotion? Unanswered Questions &
Things You May Not Know (User-Submitted Article)
[Now
Available in
Paperback &
Kindle Versions]
What's Up With Faustina's Divine Mercy Devotion (2)? Another Approach
For Getting To The Truth (User-Submitted Article)
[Now
Available in
Paperback
&
Kindle Versions]
What's Up With Faustina's Divine Mercy Devotion (3)? Some Additional
Thoughts On Faustina's Divine Mercy Devotion (User-Submitted Article)
[Now Available in
Paperback
&
Kindle Versions]
The
Mercy of God (Our Father's Love Reflections)
More
Reflections:
Alphabetical
| Categorized
Mercy
(Topical Scripture)
More
Topical Scripture: Alphabetical
|
Categorized
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