We perform the Spiritual Works of Mercy by instructing, advising, consoling, comforting as well as forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently.
The Corporal Works of Mercy are performed by feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned and burying the dead.
Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.
before I come as a just Judge, I first open wide the door of My mercy. He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice.
On August 1 1925, a few weeks before her twentieth birthday, she was received as a postulant by the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Warsaw, and in 1926 she became a novice and adopted the name Maria Faustina. In 1928, she took her vows as a nun, and died just ten years later in the convent of the Congregation in Cracow-Lagiewniki on 5 October 1938. During the II World War, the fame of the sanctity of her life grew rapidly, as thanks to her mediation, people were able to obtain numerous graces. The informative process concerning the heroic quality of her life was carried out in Cracow in the years 1965-1967. It was at this time that her earthly remains had been transferred from the convent's cemetery to the chapel. In the year 1968 the Beatification Process of Sister Faustina was initiated in Rome. It was completed with the issuing of a Decree of Heroic Virtues of Sr. Faustina as well as a decree about a miracle which had been worked thanks to her mediation. On 18 April 1993 in St. Peter's Square in Rome the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, beatified this Polish nun. The relics of the St. Faustina rest upon the altar in the Sanctuary in Cracow-Lagiewniki, right under the miraculous image of Merciful Jesus. She was canonized in St. Peter's Square Rome by the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000. Canonized on Mercy Sunday, this was the first canonization of the Jubilee year and Pope John Paul II's formal announcement that the Sunday after Easter would be known as "Divine Mercy Sunday." The Lord Jesus chose St. Faustina as the Apostle and emissary of His Mercy, so that she could tell the world about this great message:
In the Old Covenant I sent prophets wielding thunderbolts to My people. Today I am sending you with My mercy to the people of the whole world. I do not want to punish aching mankind, but I desire to heal it, pressing it to My Merciful Heart I use punishment when they themselves force Me to do so; My hand is reluctant to take hold of the sword of justice. Before the Day of Justice I am sending the Day of Mercy (Diary, 1588 To Saint Faustina, we owe the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. She received it from Jesus September 13,1935.)
ALL: In the name of the Father, † and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Presider: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven. ALL: Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen. On the next bead, pray the Hail Mary: Presider: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of they womb, Jesus. ALL: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen. On the next bead, recite the Apostles' Creed: ALL: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Presider: Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. ALL: in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. On the Hail Mary beads: Presider: For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, ALL: have mercy on us and on the whole world. After five decades, conclude by reciting three times: ALL: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Period of Silent Reflection The Praises of the Divine Mercy ALL: Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the bosom of the Father, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, fount gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity I trust in You. Divine Mercy, from which wells forth all life and happiness, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, better than the heavens, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of the Incarnate Word, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Sacred Host, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in the founding of the Holy Church, I trust in You. Divine Mercy in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in our justification through Jesus Christ, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment ofour life, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, shielding us from the fire of hell, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in the conversion of hardened sinners, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, astonishment for Angels, incomprehensible to Saints, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, unfathomed in all the mysteries of God, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in calling us forth from nothingness to existence, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of His hands, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, crown of all of God's handiwork, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in which we are all immersed, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, only hpe of despairing souls, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, repose of hearts, peace amidst fear, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, delight and ecstasy of holy souls, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope, I trust in You. Concluding Rite Closing Prayer Presider: Let us pray. God, merciful Father, in Your Son Jesus Christ, you have revealed your love and poured it out upon us in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, we entrust to you today the destiny of the world and of every man and woman. Bend down to us sinners, heal our weakness, conquer all evil, and grant that ll the peoples of the earth may experience your mercy. In you, the Triune God, may they ever find the source of hope. Eternal Father, by the Passion and Resurrection of your Son, have mercy on us and upon the whole world! ALL: Amen. Divine Mercy Sunday: March 21, 2004 © Lucie LeBlanc Consentino Promises Kept
Presider:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
ALL: Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of they womb, Jesus.
ALL: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
ALL: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
ALL: in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
For the sake of his sorrowful Passion,
ALL: have mercy on us and on the whole world.
ALL: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Period of Silent Reflection
ALL:
Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the bosom of the Father, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, fount gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity I trust in You. Divine Mercy, from which wells forth all life and happiness, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, better than the heavens, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of the Incarnate Word, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Sacred Host, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in the founding of the Holy Church, I trust in You. Divine Mercy in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in our justification through Jesus Christ, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment ofour life, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, shielding us from the fire of hell, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in the conversion of hardened sinners, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, astonishment for Angels, incomprehensible to Saints, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, unfathomed in all the mysteries of God, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in calling us forth from nothingness to existence, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of His hands, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, crown of all of God's handiwork, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in which we are all immersed, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, only hpe of despairing souls, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, repose of hearts, peace amidst fear, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, delight and ecstasy of holy souls, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope, I trust in You. Concluding Rite Closing Prayer Presider: Let us pray. God, merciful Father, in Your Son Jesus Christ, you have revealed your love and poured it out upon us in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, we entrust to you today the destiny of the world and of every man and woman. Bend down to us sinners, heal our weakness, conquer all evil, and grant that ll the peoples of the earth may experience your mercy. In you, the Triune God, may they ever find the source of hope. Eternal Father, by the Passion and Resurrection of your Son, have mercy on us and upon the whole world! ALL: Amen. Divine Mercy Sunday: March 21, 2004 © Lucie LeBlanc Consentino Promises Kept
Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, fount gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, from which wells forth all life and happiness, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, better than the heavens, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of the Incarnate Word, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Sacred Host, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, in the founding of the Holy Church, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, in our justification through Jesus Christ, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment ofour life, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, shielding us from the fire of hell, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, in the conversion of hardened sinners, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, astonishment for Angels, incomprehensible to Saints, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, unfathomed in all the mysteries of God, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, in calling us forth from nothingness to existence, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of His hands, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, crown of all of God's handiwork, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, in which we are all immersed, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, only hpe of despairing souls, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, repose of hearts, peace amidst fear, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, delight and ecstasy of holy souls, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope, I trust in You.
Closing Prayer
Presider: Let us pray.
God, merciful Father, in Your Son Jesus Christ, you have revealed your love and poured it out upon us in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, we entrust to you today the destiny of the world and of every man and woman. Bend down to us sinners, heal our weakness, conquer all evil, and grant that ll the peoples of the earth may experience your mercy. In you, the Triune God, may they ever find the source of hope. Eternal Father, by the Passion and Resurrection of your Son, have mercy on us and upon the whole world! ALL: Amen. Divine Mercy Sunday: March 21, 2004 © Lucie LeBlanc Consentino Promises Kept
Bend down to us sinners, heal our weakness, conquer all evil, and grant that ll the peoples of the earth may experience your mercy. In you, the Triune God, may they ever find the source of hope.
Eternal Father, by the Passion and Resurrection of your Son, have mercy on us and upon the whole world!
ALL: Amen. Divine Mercy Sunday: March 21, 2004 © Lucie LeBlanc Consentino Promises Kept
ALL: Amen.