Our Lady of Divine Mercy

What is the devotion to Our Lady of Divine Mercy

The devotion to Our Lady of Divine Mercy is a Marian devotion that centers around the image of the Virgin Mary as the mother of mercy and the one who intercedes for sinners. The devotion is based on the belief that Mary, as the mother of Jesus, has a unique role in God’s plan of salvation and that she can help us to understand and respond to God’s mercy. It’s associated with the Divine Mercy devotion, which emphasizes the mercy of God and the need to trust in that mercy.

The devotion to Our Lady of Divine Mercy has its roots in the revelations received by Saint Faustina Kowalska in the early 20th century. In her diary, Saint Faustina recorded visions of Jesus, in which he revealed to her the image of Divine Mercy and requested the establishment of a feast of Divine Mercy. In these visions, Jesus also revealed that Mary is closely associated with the Divine Mercy, and that she plays a vital role in bringing souls to her son.

The devotion to Our Lady of Divine Mercy is closely linked to the Divine Mercy chaplet, a set of prayers that invoke the mercy of God through the intercession of Mary. The chaplet begins with the recitation of the Our Father, followed by the Hail Mary and the Apostle’s Creed, and ends with the prayer “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. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

The devotion to Our Lady of Divine Mercy also includes the veneration of a specific image of Mary, which depicts her holding the infant Jesus and surrounded by rays of light. This image is based on the one revealed to Saint Faustina and is often referred to as the Image of Our Lady of Divine Mercy.

The feast of Our Lady of Divine Mercy is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter, which is also the feast of Divine Mercy Sunday. The feast is celebrated with a special mass and a procession, in which the image of Our Lady of Divine Mercy is carried through the streets.

Devotion to Our Lady of Divine Mercy encourages people to trust in the mercy of God and to seek the intercession of Mary. This can include seeking her guidance and protection, asking for her help in understanding and responding to God’s mercy, and entrusting ourselves to her care and love.

The devotion to Our Lady of Divine Mercy is not limited to Catholics, but it is also shared by Christians and people of other faith communities. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and responding to the mercy of God and recognizing Mary as the mother of mercy and advocate for sinners.

In summary, the devotion to Our Lady of Divine Mercy is a Marian devotion that centers around the image of the Virgin Mary as the mother of mercy and the one who intercedes for sinners. It’s closely linked to Divine Mercy devotion that emphasizes the mercy of God and the need to trust in that mercy. The devotion has its roots in the revelations received by Saint Faustina Kowalska in the early 20th century, and it is closely linked to the Divine Mercy chaplet and the image of Our Lady of Divine Mercy. It encourages people to trust in the mercy of God and to seek the intercession of Mary, not only for Catholics but also for Christians and people of other faith communities. The feast of Our Lady of Divine Mercy is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter, which is also the feast of Divine Mercy Sunday.

Feast of Our Lady of Divine Mercy

The Feast Day of Our Lady of Divine Mercy is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter Sunday. It is officially recognized by the Catholic Church, and it’s a celebration of the Divine Mercy devotion which was revealed to Saint Faustina Kowalska by Jesus Christ in the 1930s.

To celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Divine Mercy, Catholics gather for special Masses and prayers at their local churches. Many also participate in the Divine Mercy chaplet, a traditional Catholic devotion that includes reciting specific prayers and meditating on the image of Jesus as the Divine Mercy.

Many also organize processions and parades, where participants carry statues of Our Lady of Divine Mercy and sing hymns and prayers. People also decorate their homes and workplaces with images of Our Lady of Divine Mercy and prepare special foods and drinks as part of the celebrations.

Some also choose to celebrate this feast day by visiting shrines or chapels dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Mercy, such as the Divine Mercy Shrine in Krakow, Poland, where Saint Faustina lived and received her revelations. They also share the message of Divine Mercy with others and encourage them to pray for the forgiveness of sins, for the peace and well-being of the world and for the sanctification of souls.

In conclusion, the Feast Day of Our Lady of Divine Mercy is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter Sunday, it’s officially recognized by the Catholic Church, it’s a celebration of the Divine Mercy devotion. People celebrate this feast day by attending special Masses and prayers, participating in the Divine Mercy chaplet, organizing processions and parades, decorating their homes and workplaces, preparing special foods and drinks, visiting shrines or chapels dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Mercy, and sharing the message of Divine Mercy with others to encourage them to pray for forgiveness, peace and the sanctification of souls.