Instituted by St. John Paul II in 2000, Divine Mercy Sunday is now celebrated on the second Sunday of Easter. The feast commemorates the Lord’s profound compassion for mankind, and emphasizes the salvation Christ offers through his death and resurrection.
In this selection of articles from our partner Catholic News Service, we explore the origins and significance of the divine mercy devotion, which was revealed to St. Faustina Kowalska and approved by the church in 2000. We also survey how Divine Mercy Sunday is currently celebrated in parishes across the United States.
St. Faustina Kowalska, the apostle of divine mercy
The humble Polish nun devoted her brief life to spreading the message of God’s profound love for all of humanity, a task to which all the faithful are called.
St. John Paul II’s devotion to divine mercy
The pontiff wrote an encyclical on God’s compassion, and instituted a feast in its honor after canonizing St. Faustina Kowalska, the Polish nun who had received private revelations of this “Easter gift.”
How parishes named for divine mercy celebrate their feast day
From gatherings of thousands to low-key celebrations, the message of God’s healing compassion resonates throughout the United States all year long.
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