Divine Mercy Sunday

Sunday, 19 April

The Feast of Mercy is celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter, which is called the Divine Mercy Sunday today. Holy Father John Paul II instituted the feast in all dioceses in Poland. On the day of Sister Faustina’s canonization, 30th April 2000, the Pope instituted the feast for the whole Church.

The institution of the feast was inspired by a desire of Jesus which was conveyed by Sister Faustina. The Lord Jesus told her:

 “I desire that the first Sunday after Easter be the Feast of Mercy (Diary 299). I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender Mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the Fount of My Mercy.

The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened” (Diary 699).

In preparation for this feast we are to recite the novena which consists in saying the Chaplet to the Divine Mercy for 9 days. The novena begins on Good Friday. The Lord Jesus said to Sister Faustina: The Feast of My Mercy has issued forth from My very depths for the consolation of the whole world (Diary 1517), “By this novena, I will grant every possible grace to souls” (Diary 796).

More information about the Feast:

Feast of Mercy >>
9 things you need to know about Divine Mercy Sunday >>
Understanding Divine Mercy Sunday >>
Divine Mercy Novena >>