What is Divine Mercy Sunday?

Response

Divine Mercy Sunday and its related feast occur on the Sunday following Easter and are commemorated by numerous Roman Catholics and some individuals in other denominations. Divine Mercy Sunday is inspired by the visions and diary of a Polish Catholic nun, Maria Faustina Kowalska, also recognized as Saint Faustina (1905—1938). The purpose of Divine Mercy Sunday seems to be to highlight Jesus’ mercy and the fullness of His forgiveness for sins and penalties. Participants respond to receiving mercy by showing mercy to others.

In her alleged visions, Maria conversed directly with Jesus. Her dialogues were documented in the book Diary of Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul. She asserted that Jesus bestowed upon her the title of “Apostle and Secretary of His Mercy.” In her visions, Jesus juxtaposed the message He conveyed to Maria with previous messages: “I sent prophets wielding thunderbolts to My people,” Jesus reportedly informed her. “Today I am sending you with My mercy to the people of the whole world. I do not wish to punish suffering humanity, but I aim to heal it, drawing it to My Merciful Heart” (Diary, entry 1588).

During one of her alleged conversations with Jesus, Maria was tasked with creating an image of Jesus that she had seen. Jesus instructed her that the image should be venerated; in fact, Jesus assured her that those who venerate the image will never perish. Moreover, Jesus instructed her that the veneration of His image should take place on the Sunday following Easter. Maria was not a painter herself, and some time passed before she found a skilled artist who was willing to paint her depiction of Jesus. The resulting image was unveiled on April 28, 1935, one week after Easter. In the image, one of Jesus’ hands is raised in blessing, and two rays of light, symbolizing blood and water, emanate from His heart.

The teachings of Sister Faustina and the image she created gained rapid popularity in Poland. By 1951, there were over 150 chapels orReligious centers dedicated to Divine Mercy can be found in the country. On Divine Mercy Sunday in 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized Saint Faustina.

Today, Divine Mercy Sunday remains a widely celebrated occasion, and various depictions of the Faustina image of Christ are prevalent. Catholics believe that “extraordinary graces” are accessible on Divine Mercy Sunday, depending on how faithfully they adhere to specific rituals and engage in acts of mercy. Many Catholics recite the chaplet of Divine Mercy daily at 3:00, using rosary beads, following Maria’s instructions. The opening prayer of the chaplet reads, “You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world.”

Did Saint Faustina truly experience visions? Yes, it is highly probable that she did have visions of some kind. However, whoever she conversed with and whatever she witnessed, it was not Jesus. The Lord Jesus would never instruct people to “venerate” a painting or promise eternal life based on such actions. Other visions of Faustina are equally unscriptural, like her vision of Mary’s visits to Purgatory: “I saw Our Lady visiting the souls in purgatory. The souls call her ‘The Star of the Sea.’ She brings them refreshment” (ibid, entry 20).

The Lord is merciful « He is ever merciful, and lendeth; And his seed is blessed. », (Psalm 37:26), and we are called to show acts of mercy « Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. », (Matthew 5:7). However, considering the idolatry associated with Divine Mercy Sunday and the fact that the feast is based on error-filled, extrabiblical revelations, Christians should distance themselves from it.