Friday, October 5, 2012 - Litany Lane Blog:
Apparition, Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5, Luke 10:13-16, St Faustina Kowlaska, Bl Francis Xavier Seelos, Divine Mercy
Good Day Bloggers! Apparition, Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5, Luke 10:13-16, St Faustina Kowlaska, Bl Francis Xavier Seelos, Divine Mercy
Wishing everyone a Blessed Week!
P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Serenity Happens). It has a remarkable way of producing solace, peace, patience and tranquility and of course resolution...God's always available 24/7.
We are all human. We all experience birth, life and death. We all have
flaws but we also all have the gift knowledge and free will as well,
make the most of it. Life on earth is a stepping to our eternal home in
Heaven. Its your choice whether to rise towards eternal light or lost to
eternal darkness. Material items, though needed for sustenance and
survival on earth are of earthly value only. The only thing that passes
from this earth to Heaven is our Soul, our Spirit...it's God's perpetual
gift to us...Embrace it, treasure it, nurture it, protect it...
"Raise not a hand to another unless it is to offer in peace and goodwill." ~ Zarya Parx 2012
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Today's Word: apparition ap·pa·ri·tion [ap-uh-rish-uhn]
Origin: 1400–50; late Middle English apparicio ( u ) n < Anglo-French, Old French < Late Latin appāritiōn- (stem of appāritiō, as calque of Greek epipháneia epiphany), equivalent to Latin appārit ( us ) (past participle of appārēre; see appear) + -iōn- -ion
noun
1. a supernatural appearance of a person or thing, especially a ghost; a specter or phantom; wraith: a ghostly apparition at midnight.
2. anything that appears, especially something remarkable or startling: the surprising apparition of cowboys in New York City.
3. an act of appearing; manifestation.
4. Astronomy . the appearance or time when a comet, especially a periodic one, is visible: the 1986 apparition of Halley's comet.
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Today's Old Testament Reading - Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5
1 Then from the heart of the tempest Yahweh gave Job his answer. He said:12 Have you ever in your life given orders to the morning or sent the dawn to its post,
13 to grasp the earth by its edges and shake the wicked out of it?
14 She turns it as red as a clay seal, she tints it as though it were a dress,
15 stealing the light from evil-doers and breaking the arm raised to strike.
16 Have you been right down to the sources of the sea and walked about at the bottom of the Abyss?
17 Have you been shown the gates of Death, have you seen the janitors of the Shadow dark as death?
18 Have you an inkling of the extent of the earth? Tell me all about it if you have!
19 Which is the way to the home of the Light, and where does darkness live? -
20 You could then show them the way to their proper places, you could put them on the path home again!
21 If you do know, you must have been born when they were, you must be very old by now!
3 Job replied to Yahweh:
4 My words have been frivolous: what can I reply? I had better lay my hand over my mouth.
5 I have spoken once, I shall not speak again; I have spoken twice, I have nothing more to say.
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Today's Gospel Reading - Luke 10,13-16
Jesus said: 'Alas for
you, Corazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you
had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago,
sitting in sackcloth and ashes. And still, it will be more bearable for
Tyre and Sidon at the Judgement than for you. And as for you,
Capernaum, did you want to be raised high as heaven? You shall be flung
down to hell. 'Anyone who listens to you listens to me; anyone who
rejects you rejects me, and those who reject me reject the one who sent
me.'
Reflection
● The Gospel today
continues speaking about the sending out of the seventy-two disciples
(Lk 10,1-12). At the end, after sending them out, Jesus speaks about
shaking off the dust from the shoes, if the missionaries are not
welcomed or accepted (Lk 10,10-12). Today's Gospel stressed and extends
the threats upon those who refuse to receive the Good News.
● Luke 10, 13-14: Alas for you, Corazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! The place which Jesus travelled or covered in the three years of his missionary life was small. It measured only a few square kilometres along the Sea of Galilee around the cities of Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Corazin. Precisely in this very small space Jesus works the majority of his miracles and presents his discourses. He has come to save the whole of humanity, and he hardly went out of the limited space of his land. But, tragically, Jesus had to see that the people of those cities do not want to accept the message of the Kingdom and are not converted. The cities fixed themselves in the rigidity of their beliefs, traditions and customs and they do not accept the invitation of Jesus to change life. Alas for you, Corazin; Alas for you Bethsaida! For if the miracle done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes". Jesus compares the two cities with Tyre and Sidon which in the past were unyielding enemies of Israel, ill-treating the people of God. For this reason they were cursed by the Prophets: (Is 23, 1; Jr 25, 22; 47, 4; Ez 26, 3; 27, 2; 28, 2; Jl 4, 4; Am 1, 10). And now Jesus says that these same cities, symbols of all the evil done to the people in the past, would have already converted if so many miracles would have been worked in them as in Corazin and in Bethsaida.
● Luke 10, 15: And you Capernaum. "Did you want to be raised high as Heaven? You shall be flung down to hell. Jesus recalls the condemnation which Isaiah, the Prophet launched against Babylonia. Proud and arrogant, Babylonia thought: "I shall scale the heavens; higher than the stars of God I shall set my throne. I shall sit on the Mount of the Assembly far away to the north. I shall climb high above the clouds, I shall rival the Most High" (Is 14, 13-14). That is what it thought! But it completely deceived itself! The contrary happened. The Prophet says: "Now you have been flung down to Sheol, into the depths of the abyss!" (Is 14, 15). Jesus compares Capernaum with that terrible Babylonia which destroyed the monarchy and the temple and took the people as slaves, from which it never succeeded to recover. Like Babylonia, Capernaum thought it was something important, but it fell into the most profound hell. The Gospel of Matthew compares Capernaum with the city of Sodom, the symbol of the worse perversion, which was destroyed by God's anger (Gen 18, 16 to 19, 29). Sodom would have converted if it had seen the miracles which Jesus worked in Capernaum (Mt 11, 23-24). Today, the same paradox continues to exist. Many of us, Catholics since we were children, have such consolidated convictions that nobody is capable to convert us. And in some places, Christianity, instead of being a source of change and of conversion, has become the refuge of the most reactionary forces of politics of the country.
● Luke 10, 16: "Anyone who listens to you listens to me; anyone who rejects you rejects me. And those who reject me reject the one who has sent me". This phrase places the accent on the identification of the disciples with Jesus, in so far as he is despised by the authority. In Matthew the same phrase of Jesus, placed in another context, underlines the identification of the disciples with Jesus accepted by the people (Mt 10, 40). In both cases, the disciples identify themselves with Jesus in the total gift and in this gift is realized their encounter with God, and God allows himself to be found by those who seek him.
Personal questions
● Does my city and my country deserve the warning of Jesus against Capernaum, Corazin and Bethsaida?
● How do I identify myself with Jesus?
● How do I identify myself with Jesus?
Reference: Courtesy of Order of Carmelites, www.ocarm.org.
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Featured Item of the Day from Litany Lane
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Saint of the Day: Saint Faustina Kowalska
Feast Day: October 5,
Patron Saint: Apostle of Divine Mercy, World Youth Day
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| Saint Faustina, Divine Mercy Apostle |
"January 28, 1938. Today the Lord said to me, My
daughter, write down these words: All those souls who will glorify My
mercy and spread its worship, encouraging others to trust in My mercy,
will not experience terror at the hour of death. My mercy will shield
them in that final battle..." (Diary, 1540) ~ Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul.
At age 20 she joined a convent in Warsaw and was later transferred to Plock, and then to Vilnius, where she met her confessor Michael Sopocko who supported her devotion to Divine Mercy. Faustina and Sopocko directed an artist to paint the first Divine Mercy image,
based on Faustina's reported vision of Jesus. Sopocko used the image to
celebrate the first Mass on the first Sunday after Easter - which later
became known as Divine Mercy Sunday.
In her diary Faustina predicted that her work would be suppressed for
some time, then accepted again. Two decades after her death the Divine
Mercy devotion was banned by the Vatican, but was approved again in 1978
and she was declared the first saint of the 21st century in April 2000. The Divine Mercy devotion is now followed by over 100 million Catholics.
Early life
Childhood and early years
She was born as Helenka Kowalska, in Głogowiec, Łęczyca County, just west of Lodz in Poland. She was the third of ten children of Stanislaus and Marianna Kowalska.
Stanislaus was a carpenter and a peasant, and the family was poor and
religious. She stated that she first felt a calling to religious life while attending the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at age seven. She wanted to enter the convent after finishing school, but her parents
would not give her permission. When she was sixteen years old, she went
to work as a housekeeper in Lodz to support herself and help her
parents. After a year of working, she twice asked her parents to let her enter a convent, but her requests were met with a firm refusal.
Joining the convent in Warsaw
In the summer of 1924, at age 19, Faustina and her sister Natalia
went to a dance in a park in Lodz. Faustina stated that while at the
dance she had a vision of a suffering Jesus, and rushed away to the
church, where she was told by Jesus to leave for Warsaw immediately and join a convent.
She packed a small bag that night and took a train for Warsaw (130
miles away) the next morning, without the permission of her parents, and
without knowing anyone in Warsaw.
Plaque on the window of Faustina's convent room in Kraków-Łagiewniki
After she arrived in Warsaw, she entered the first church she saw,
(St. James' church on Grojeka street) and attended Mass. She asked the
priest, Father Dabrowski, for suggestions, and he recommended staying
with Mrs Lipszycowa, a local lady whom he considered trustworthy, until
she found a convent.
Faustina approached several convents in Warsaw, but was turned down
time after time, in one case she was told "we do not accept maids here",
referring to her being penniless and without much education.
After several weeks of searching, eventually the Mother Superior at the
convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy decided to give her a
chance and conditionally accepted her, provided she could pay for her
habit. Faustina knew nothing about the convent she was joining, except that she was led there.
But she knew that she had joined the convent as a "lay sister" and that
due to her lack of education it was not likely she would attain higher
levels within the order and that her duties would forever consist of
cooking, cleaning and gardening.
During 1925, Faustina worked as a house maid for one year to save up
money, making deposits at the convent through the year and was then
accepted at the convent. On April 30, 1926, at age 20, she received her
habit and took the name "Maria Faustina" of the Blessed Sacrament
The name Faustina means the "fortunate or blessed one" and may have
been a feminine form of the name of the Christian martyr Faustinus. In April 1928 she took her first vows as a nun, and her parents attended the ceremony She was to be a nun for just over a decade, dying in October 1938.
From February to April 1929 she was sent to the convent in Wilno (now Vilnius, Lithuania), as a cook. Although this was a short stay in Vilnius, she would return there later and meet Father Sopocko who supported her mission. A year after her first return from Vilnius, in May 1930 she was transferred to the convent in Plock, Poland for close to two years.
Life as a nun
Plock and the Divine Mercy image
The Divine Mercy image painted by Adolf Hyla. The Polish inscription at the bottom means "Jesus I trust in you".
Faustina arrived in Plock in May 1930. In the autumn of that year the first signs of her illness (which was later thought to be tuberculosis)
appeared and she was sent to rest for several months in a nearby farm
owned by her religious order. After recovery she returned to the convent
and by February 1931, had been in the Plock area for about nine months.
Faustina wrote that on the night of Sunday February 22, 1931, while
she was in her cell in Plock, Jesus appeared to her as the "King of
Divine Mercy" wearing a white garment, with rays of white and red light
emanating from near his heart. In her diary (Notebook I, items 47 and 48) she wrote that Jesus told her:
"Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: "Jesus, I trust in You". I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and then throughout the world. I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish."
Not knowing how to paint, Faustina approached some other nuns at the convent in Plock for help, but received no assistance.
Three years later, after her assignment to Villnius, the first artistic
rendering of the image was performed under her direction.
In the same February 22, 1931 message about the Divine Mercy image, Faustina also wrote in her diary
(Notebook I, item 49) that Jesus told her that he wanted the Divine
Mercy image to be "solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter;
that Sunday is to be the Feast of Mercy."
In November 1932 Faustina returned to Warsaw to prepare to take her final vows as a nun. On the first day of May 1933 she took her final vows in Lagiewniki and became a perpetual sister of Our Lady of Mercy.
Vilnius: meeting Father Sopocko
In late May 1933 Faustina was transferred to Vilnius as the gardener - her job also included growing vegetables. She remained in Vilnius for about 3 years, until March 1936. The
convent in Vilnius had only 18 sisters at the time and consisted of a
few scattered small houses, rather than a large building.
A small convent house where Faustina lived in Vilnius
Shortly after arriving in Vilnius, Faustina met Father Michael Sopocko, the newly appointed confessor to the nuns. Sopocko was also a professor of pastoral theology at Stefan Batory University (now called Vilnius University).
When Faustina went to Sopocko for her first confession, she told him
that she had been conversing with Jesus, who had a plan for her.
After some time, in fall 1933 Father Sopocko insisted on a complete
psychiatric evaluation of Faustina by Dr. Helena Maciejewska, a
psychiatrist and a physician associated with the convent. Faustina
passed the required tests and was declared of sound mind.
Thereafter, Sopocko began to have confidence in Faustina and
supported her efforts. Sopocko also advised Faustina to begin writing a
diary and to record the conversations and messages from Jesus which she
was reporting. Faustina told Sopocko about the Divine Mercy image and in January 1934 Sopocko introduced her to the artist Eugene Kazimierowski, who was also a professor at the university.
By June 1934, Kazimierowski had finished painting the image based on the direction of Faustina and Father Sopocko. That was the only Divine Mercy painting Faustina saw. After Faustina's death, a number of other artists painted the image, with the depiction by Adolf Hyla being among the most reproduced. While she was in Vilnius, Faustina predicted that her message of
Divine Mercy would be suppressed for some time, and appear to be
"utterly undone" but that it would be accepted again.
On February 8, 1935, she wrote in her diary (Notebook I, item 378):
Novice Divine Mercy nuns in Vilnius, in front of the church of Gate of Dawn where the first Divine Mercy Sunday Mass was held in April 1935.
There will come a time when this work, which God is demanding so very much, will be as though utterly undone. And then God will act with great power, which will give evidence of its authenticity. It will be a new splendor for the Church, although it has been dormant in it from long ago.
Over twenty years later, in 1959, her messages were suppressed by the Vatican, but were accepted again in 1978. Faustina wrote in her diary (Notebook I item 414) that on Good Friday April 19, 1935 Jesus told her that he wanted the Divine Mercy image publicly honored. On Friday April 26, 1935 Father Sopocko delivered the first sermon ever on the Divine Mercy - and Faustina attended the sermon.
The first Mass during which the Divine Mercy image was displayed was on April 28, 1935, the second Sunday after Easter and was attended by Faustina. April 28, 1935 was also the celebration of the end of the Jubilee of the Redemption by Pope Pius XI. However, Father Michael Sopocko (Faustina's confessor) managed to obtained Archbishop Jałbrzykowski's permission to place the Divine Mercy image within the Gate of Dawn church in Vilnius during the Mass that Sunday and celebrated the Mass himself.
On September 13, 1935, while still in Vilnius, Faustina wrote of a vision about the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in her diary (Notebook I item 476). The chaplet is about a third of the length of the Rosary.
Faustina wrote that the purpose for chaplet's prayers for mercy are
threefold: to obtain mercy, to trust in Christ's mercy, and to show
mercy to others.
In November 1935 Faustina wrote the rules for a new contemplative
religious congregation devoted to Divine Mercy, and in December she
visited a house in Vilnius which she said she had seen in a vision as
the first convent for the congregation.
In January 1936 Faustina went to see Archbishop Jałbrzykowski to discuss a new congregation for Divine Mercy. But he reminded her that she was perpetually vowed to her current order.
In March 1936 Faustina told her superiors that she was thinking of
leaving the order to start a new order specifically devoted to Divine
Mercy, but she was transferred to Walendow, southwest of Warsaw.
Krakow: the final years
In the summer of 1936 Father Sopocko wrote the first brochure on the Divine Mercy devotion and Archbishop Jalbrzykowski provided his imprimatur for it. The brochure carried the Divine Mercy image on the cover. Sopocko sent copies of the brochure to Faustina in Warsaw.
Faustina's chapel at her resting place, the Basilica of Divine Mercy in Krakow, Łagiewniki.
Later in 1936, Faustina became ill, since speculated to be tuberculosis. She was moved to the sanatorium in Pradnik, Kraków.
She continued to spend much time in prayer, reciting the chaplet and
praying for the conversion of sinners. The last two years of her life
were spent praying and keeping her diary.
On March 23, 1937, Faustina wrote in her diary (Notebook III, item
1044) that she had a vision that the feast of Divine Mercy would be
celebrated in her local chapel, and would be attended by large crowds,
and that the same celebration would be held in Rome attended by the
Pope.
In July 1937 the first holy cards with the Divine Mercy image were
printed and in August Father Sopocko asked Faustina to write the
instructions for the Novena of Divine Mercy which she had reported as a message from Jesus on Good Friday 1937.
Throughout 1937 progress was made in promoting the messages of Divine
Mercy and in November 1937 a pamphlet was published with the title Christ, King of Mercy.
The pamphlet included the chaplet, novena and the litany of Divine
Mercy and the Divine Mercy image appeared on the cover, with the
signature, "Jesus I Trust in You". On November 10, 1937 Mothere Irene, Faustina's superior, showed her the booklets while Faustina rested in her bed.
As her health deteriorated at the end of 1937, her reported visions
intensified, and she was said to be looking forward to an end to her
life.
In April 1938 Faustina's illness had progressed and she was sent to
rest in the sanatorium in Pradnick, for what was to be her final stay
there. By June 1938, Faustina was so ill that she could no longer write.
In September 1938 Father Sopocko visited her at sanatorium and found her very ill, but in ecstasy as she was praying. Later in September 1938 she was taken back home to Krakow, to await her death there. Father Sopocko visited her at the convent for a last time on September 26, 1938. On October 5, 1938 Faustina made her final confession and died in Krakow, 13 years after entering the convent. She was buried on October 7 and now rests at the Basilica of Divine Mercy in Krakow, Poland.
Devotion to Divine Mercy
Growth and suppression
The Basilica of Divine Mercy, Krakow, Łagiewniki
Before her death Faustina predicted that "there will be a war, a terrible, terrible war" and asked the nuns to pray for Poland. In 1939, a year after Faustina's death when Archbishop Jałbrzykowski noticed that her predictions about the war had taken place, he allowed public access to the Divine Mercy image which resulted in large crowds that led to the spread of the Divine Mercy devotion. The Divine Mercy devotion became a source of strength and inspiration for many people in Poland.
By 1941 the devotion had reached the United States and millions of
copies of Divine Mercy prayer cards were printed and distributed
worldwide.
In 1942 Jałbrzykowski was arrested by the Nazis, but Father Sopocko
and other professors went into hiding near Vilnius for about two years.
During that period Sopocko used his time to establish a new religious
congregation based on the Divine Mercy messages reported by Faustina.
After the War, Sopocko wrote the constitution for the congregation and
helped the formation of what is now the Congregation of the Sisters of
the Divine Mercy. By 1951, thirteen years after Faustina's death there were 150 Divine Mercy centers in Poland.
After the death of St. Faustina, the nuns at her convent sent her writings to the Vatican. Prior to 1966, any reported visions of Jesus and Mary required approval from the Holy See before they could be released to the public. After a failed attempt to persuade Pope Pius XII to sign a condemnation, Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani at the Holy Office included her works on a list he submitted to the newly elected Pope John XXIII in 1959. The Pope signed the decree that placed her work on the Index of Forbidden Books and they remained on the Index until it was abolished on 14 June 1966 by Pope Paul VI.
In 1959, as the Vatican forbade the Divine Mercy devotion, it also
severely reprimanded Sopocko, and all his work was suppressed. However, Eugeniusz Baziak, the archbishop of Kraków,
permitted the nuns to leave the original picture hanging in their
chapel so that those who wished to continue to pray before it could do
so.
An article in the National Catholic Reporter suggested that the ban
stemmed from theological issues, for example that "Jesus had promised a
complete remission of sin for certain devotional acts that only the
sacraments can offer, and what Vatican evaluators felt to be an
excessive focus on Faustina herself ran contrary to the views at the Holy Office".
In 1965 Karol Wojtyla, then Archbishop of Krakow and later Pope John
Paul II opened a new investigation, interviewed witnesses and in 1967
submitted a number of documents about Faustina to the Vatican,
requesting the start of the process of her beatification. The case was
accepted for review in 1968.
Acceptance and sainthood
See also: Divine Mercy Sunday
Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1, 2011, at the Vatican
In 1977, over a year before he was elected as John Paul II, Archbishop Wojtyla asked the Vatican to review and lift the ban on the Divine Mercy devotion, and the ban ended in 1978. In April 1978, the Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith declared that the Notification
ban was no longer binding, and stated that misunderstandings were
created by a faulty Italian translation of Kowalska's Diary. Afterward,
the questionable material could not be correlated with the original
because of difficulties in communication throughout World War II and the
subsequent Communist era.
The formal beatification of Faustina involved the case of Maureen Digan of Massachusetts. In March 1981 Digan reported a healing, while praying at the tomb of Faustina. Digan had suffered from Lymphedema
(a disease which causes significant swelling due to fluid retention)
for decades, and had undergone 10 operations, including a leg
amputation. Digan reported that while praying at Faustina's tomb, she heard a voice
saying "ask for my help and I will help you" and her constant pain
stopped. After 2 days Digan reported that her shoe became too large for
her because her body stopped undue liquid retention.[39]
Upon her return to the United States, five Boston area physicians
stated that she was healed (with no explanation), and the case was
declared miraculous by the Vatican in 1992 based on the additional
testimony of over twenty witnesses about her prior condition.
Faustina was beatified on April 18, 1993 and canonized on April 30, 2000 - the first saint in the 21st century. Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated the Second Sunday of Easter
(which is the first Sunday after Easter). The fact that her Vatican
biography directly quotes some of her conversations with Jesus
distinguishes her among the many reported visions of Jesus and Mary. Author Benedict Groeschel considers a modest estimate of the following of the Divine Mercy devotion in 2010 to be over one hundred million Catholics.
References
- Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul by Faustina Kowalska 2003 ISBN 1-59614-110-7
- Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. http://www.sisterfaustina.org/
- Vatican biography of Faustina Kowalska
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Saint of the Day II: Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos
Feast Day: October 5, Beatified: April 9, 2000, Rome by Pope John Paul II
Patron Saint:
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| Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos |
After being ordained, he worked for nine years in the parish of St. Philomena's in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, first as assistant pastor to St. John Neumann, who was the superior of the Religious Community, later as Superior himself, and for three years as pastor. During this time, he was also the Redemptorist Novice Master. With Neumann, he also dedicated himself to preaching missions. Regarding their relationship, Seelos said: "He has introduced me to the active life" and, "he has guided me as a spiritual director and confessor."
St. Philomena's Church was a Roman Catholic parish originally located in Pittsburgh's Strip District during the 19th Century. The Redemptorist missionary order had a major base at this location starting in 1839, catering to the significant German population in the area. St. Philomena's was initially known as 'The Factory Church' due to being housed in an industrial warehouse, but John Neumann arrived to become head pastor and, in a matter of a few years, had a church building erected at the corner of Liberty Avenue and 14th Street. As Neumann's associate pastor, Francis Xavier Seelos also helped in serving the parish, eventually becoming pastor himself until being transferred in 1854. Thus, St. Philomena's is notable for having housed two people recognized in the Catholic beatification process (Neumann having been declared a saint in 1977).
As the expansion of industrialization and commercialism occurred in the early 20th century, the church's location was no longer viable, and the building was sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1922 and eventually torn down.
His availability and innate kindness in understanding and responding to the needs of the faithful quickly made him well known as an expert confessor and spiritual director, so much so that people came to him even from neighboring towns. Faithful to the Redemptorist charism, he practiced a simple lifestyle and a simple manner of expressing himself. The themes of his preaching, rich in Biblical content, were always heard and understood even by the simplest people.
A constant endeavor in this pastoral activity was instructing the little children in the faith. He not only favored this ministry, he held it as fundamental for the growth of the Christian community in the Parish. In 1854, he was transferred from Pittsburgh to Baltimore, then to Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1857, and to Annapolis (1862), all the while engaged in Parish ministry and serving in the formation of future Redemptorists as Prefect of Students. Even in this post, he was true to his character, remaining always the kind and happy pastor, always prudently attentive to the needs of his students and conscientious of their doctrinal formation. Above all, he strove to instill in these future Redemptorist missionaries the enthusiasm, spirit of sacrifice, and apostolic zeal for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the people.
In 1860 he was proposed as a candidate for the office of Bishop of Pittsburgh. Having been excused from this responsibility by Blessed Pope Pius IX, from 1863 until 1866, he dedicated himself to the life of an itinerant missionary preaching in English and German in the states of Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.
After a brief period of parish ministry in Detroit, Michigan, he was assigned in 1866 to the Redemptorist community in New Orleans, Louisiana. Here also, as pastor of the Church of St. Mary of the Assumption, he was known as a pastor who was joyously available to his faithful and singularly concerned for the poorest and the most abandoned. However, his ministry in New Orleans was destined to be brief. In September of that year, exhausted from visiting and caring for victims of yellow fever, he contracted the disease. After several weeks, he died on October 4, 1867, at the age of 48 years and 9 months.
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| St Mary Assumption Church, New Orleans LA |
On May 19, 2009 the Archbishop of Baltimore, Most Reverend Edwin F. O’Brien, celebrated Mass with many Redemptorist Priests to open the Diocesan process to investigate a possible second miracle related to Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos. After the Mass, Rev. Gilbert J. Seitz, J.C.L. of the Baltimore Archdiocese Metropolitan Tribunal began the depositions of key witnesses—including that of Mary Ellen Heibel of St. Mary’s (Redemptorist) Church, Annapolis, who attributes her healing of metastasized esophageal cancer through Father Seelos’ intercession. On September 21, 2010, Fathers John Vargas and Byron Miller, Redemptorist Vice Postulators, convened in Baltimore to inspect the Acts, and determined the Inquiry to be comprehensive and thorough, with no further proofs to submit or witnesses to propose. The results of this investigation have now been sent to the Congregation of the Causes of the Saints in Rome, thus completing the Diocesan Inquiry phase of the canonization process.
Pope John Paul II beatified Father Seelos in St. Peter's Square on April 9, 2000. His day in the Martyrology is October 5.
References
- National Seelos Shrine, New Orleans, Louisiana. www.seelos.org.
- "Mary Ellen Heibel Healing". Fox News. July 1, 2009. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,529521,00.html. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- "Opening Session in Cause for Sainthood of Blessed Francis Seelos to Take Place in Baltimore". http://www.catholicreview.org/subpages/storyarchnew.aspx?action=7018. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
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Today's Snippet: Divine Mercy
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| Divine Mercy |
The Divine Mercy is based on the writings of St. Faustina in
which she describes her encounters with the Lord, saints, and angels. On February 22 1931,
Jesus appeared to her and spoke to her about His infinite love and mercy
because He wanted the whole world to come to know, understand, and
trust in His mercy. Sister Faustina (Helen
Kowalska) an uneducated Polish nun of the Congregation of Sisters
of Our Lady of Mercy in Cracow, Polandwho, in obedience to her spiritual director, wrote a diary of about 600 pages recording the revelations she received about God’s mercy. Even before her death in 1938, the devotion to The Divine Mercy had begun to spread.
Devotion to Divine Mercy encompasses not only praying the chaplet and celebrating the Feast of Mercy, but living lives of mercy and trusting in Jesus each day.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ appeared to this simple nun, bringing with Him a wonderful message of Mercy for all mankind. Saint Faustina tells us in her diary:
Devotion to Divine Mercy encompasses not only praying the chaplet and celebrating the Feast of Mercy, but living lives of mercy and trusting in Jesus each day.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ appeared to this simple nun, bringing with Him a wonderful message of Mercy for all mankind. Saint Faustina tells us in her diary:
"In the evening, February 22, 1931, when I was in my cell, I became aware of the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand was raised in blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From the opening of the garment at the breast there came forth two large rays, one red and the other pale. In silence I gazed intently at the Lord; my soul was overwhelmed with fear, but also with great joy. After a while Jesus said to me, 'paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the inscription: Jesus, I trust in You.'" "The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous; the red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the depths of My most tender Mercy at that time when My agonizing Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross....Fortunate is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him."
I want the image solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it. (Diary 341)
"Proclaim that mercy is the greatest attribute of God. All the works of My hands are crowned with mercy." (Diary, 301)
"My daughter, speak to priests about this inconceivable mercy of Mine. The flames of mercy are burning Me-clamoring to be spent; I want to keep pouring them out upon souls; souls just don't want to believe in My goodness." (Diary, 177)
"My love and mercy knows no bounds." (Diary, 718)
"Tell aching mankind to snuggle close to My merciful Heart, and I will fill it -with peace.
I demand from you deeds of mercy which are to arise out of love for me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse yourself from it (Diary, 742).
Like the gospel command, "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful," this demand that we show mercy to our neighbors "always and everywhere" seems impossible to fulfill. But the Lord assures us that it is possible. "When a soul approaches Me with trust," He explains, "I fill it with such an abundance of graces that it cannot contain them within itself, but radiates them to other souls" (Diary, 1074)
"[Let] the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy. They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy towards tormented souls. Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy. Write: 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..." (Diary, 1146)
"The Lord said to me, The loss of each soul plunges Me into mortal sadness. You always console Me when you pray for sinners. The prayer most pleasing to Me is prayer for the conversion of sinners. Know, My daughter, that this prayer is always heard and answered." (Diary, 1397)
The message of mercy is that God loves us — all of us —no matter how great our sins. He wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy. It is a message we can call to mind simply by remembering ABC.
A — Ask for His Mercy. God wants us to approachmHim in prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world.
B — Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us.
C — Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust. The more we trust in Jesus, the more we will receive.
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Divine Mercy Image
On February 22nd,
1931, Jesus Jesus appeared to her with rays radiating from His heart requesting St. Faustina to have a special image painted, His
image that would reflect His Mercy and help spread the message of His
great love. He wanted the world to know His mercy through this image and
grants many specials graces through it.
"In the evening, when I was in my cell, I saw the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand [was] raised in the gesture of blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From beneath the garment, slightly drawn aside at the breast, there were emanating two large rays, one red, the other pale. In silence I kept my gaze fixed on the Lord; my soul was struck with awe, but also with great joy. After a while, Jesus said to me, Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and [then] throughout the world." (Diary, 47)
I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over its enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I myself will defend it as My own glory. (Diary 48)
I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of mercy. That vessel is this image with the signature" :Jesus, I trust in You." (Diary 327)
By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls. It is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works. (Diary 742)
The was to have the image painted just as she saw Him, standing with
His right hand raised in blessing, red and pale rays issuing from His
heart, a gaze of Mercy in His eyes..
The two rays denote Blood and Water. the pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father. Happy is the one who dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him. (Diary 299)
Not in the beauty of the color, nor of the brush, lies the greatness of this image, but in My grace. (Diary 313)
"My gaze from this image is like My gaze from the cross." (Diary, 326)
Our Lord was very specific about how he wanted the image venerated...
"Tell the confessor that the Image is to be on view in the church and not within the enclosure in that convent. By means of this Image I shall be granting many graces to souls; so let every soul have access to it." (Diary, 570)
"I desire that this image be displayed in public on the first Sunday after Easter. That Sunday is the Feast of Mercy. Through the Word Incarnate I make known the bottomless depth of My mercy." (Diary, 88)
In His great Mercy, Jesus promises a great deal to those who venerate this image...
"I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over [its] enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory." (Diary, 48)
"By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls. It is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy...." (Diary, 742)
"These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father. Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him. I desire that the first Sunday after Easter be the Feast of Mercy." (Diary,299)
Today Jesus said to me, I desire that you know more
profoundly the love that burns in My Heart for souls, and you will
understand this when you meditate upon My Passion. Call upon My mercy on
behalf of sinners; I desire their salvation. When you say this prayer,
with a contrite heart and with faith on behalf of some sinner, I will
give him the grace of conversion. This is the prayer:
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You."(Diary, 186-187)
The image also reminds us that salvation is not just by faith, but by works of charity also. It takes faith to see and believe in what the Image signifies, Divine Mercy poured out from Christ upon the Cross, but it takes mercy, love going beyond the strict requirements of justice, in order to draw down mercy on oneself. "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us" (Mt 6:12) and "the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you" (Mt 7:2) The Image of the pierced side of Christ pouring out blood and water reminds us that the Cross, love in action, is the price of mercy. "As I have loved you so also should you love one another." (Jn 13:34)
The image also reminds us that salvation is not just by faith, but by works of charity also. It takes faith to see and believe in what the Image signifies, Divine Mercy poured out from Christ upon the Cross, but it takes mercy, love going beyond the strict requirements of justice, in order to draw down mercy on oneself. "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us" (Mt 6:12) and "the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you" (Mt 7:2) The Image of the pierced side of Christ pouring out blood and water reminds us that the Cross, love in action, is the price of mercy. "As I have loved you so also should you love one another." (Jn 13:34)
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Divine Mercy Feast Day (Sunday After Easter)
Not only did Jesus ask for an image of Mercy to be painted, He asked that a Feast of Mercy be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter by all of the faithful.
"No soul will be justified until it turns with
confidence to My mercy, and this is why the first Sunday after Easter is
to be the Feast of Mercy. On that day, priests are to tell everyone
about My great and unfathomable mercy." (Diary, 570)
The Church has declared this day a special feast for the
faithful, raised it to the universal calendar (all the parishes
throughout the world celebrate it) and offers an indulgence:
"And so the Supreme Pontiff, motivated by an ardent desire to foster in Christians this devotion to Divine Mercy as much as possible in the hope of offering great spiritual fruit to the faithful, in the Audience granted on 13 June 2002, to those Responsible for the Apostolic Penitentiary, granted the following Indulgences:
A plenary indulgence, granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honour of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!");
A partial indulgence, granted to the faithful who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation." **From: APOSTOLIC PENITENTIARY DECREE: Indulgences attached to devotions in honour of Divine Mercy
"But, Jesus, I have one more word to say to You: I am very surprised that You bid me to talk about this Feast of Mercy, for they tell me that there is already such a feast and so why should I talk about it? And Jesus said to me, And who knows anything about this feast? No one! Even those who should be proclaiming My mercy and teaching people about it often do not know about it themselves. That is why I want the image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it." (Diary, 341)
"And so the Supreme Pontiff, motivated by an ardent desire to foster in Christians this devotion to Divine Mercy as much as possible in the hope of offering great spiritual fruit to the faithful, in the Audience granted on 13 June 2002, to those Responsible for the Apostolic Penitentiary, granted the following Indulgences:
A plenary indulgence, granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honour of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!");
A partial indulgence, granted to the faithful who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation." **From: APOSTOLIC PENITENTIARY DECREE: Indulgences attached to devotions in honour of Divine Mercy
"But, Jesus, I have one more word to say to You: I am very surprised that You bid me to talk about this Feast of Mercy, for they tell me that there is already such a feast and so why should I talk about it? And Jesus said to me, And who knows anything about this feast? No one! Even those who should be proclaiming My mercy and teaching people about it often do not know about it themselves. That is why I want the image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it." (Diary, 341)
"On one occasion, I heard these words: My daughter,
tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. 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 grace flow are opened.
Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.
My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be
ale to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has
come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in
its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout
eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness.
It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after
Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My
Mercy." (Diary, 699)
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The Hour of Divine Mercy
Jesus asked Saint Faustina, and through her us, to celebrate this Hour of Great Mercy, 3 o'clock,
promising tremendous graces to those who would, both for themselves and on behalf of others.
At three o'clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy ... In this hour I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion. (Diary 1320).
As often as you hear the clock strike the third hour immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it, invoke it's omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners, for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul. In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking; it was the hour of grace for the whole world - mercy triumphed over justice.
The
three o'clock hour has always held a special significance for us in our
faith. It is the hour Our Lord gave His precious life up for our sins.
It is the hour that witnessed the greatest miracle the world will ever
see - the offering of the Son of God for the salvation of the world.
On the cross, blood and water flowed from His side, an image intentionally reflected in the Divine Mercy image. Now, a fountain of mercy flows over us. Jesus gave St. Faustina special instructions for this hour...
How did Jesus instruct St. Faustina to pray in this hour?...
Few of us will find ourselves near the Blessed Sacrament everyday at 3 pm. However, many of us do have the opportunity to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at this time and most of us can take a moment, even just a few seconds, to reflect on Our Lord's sacrifice and His great Love and Mercy towards us.
"Good Friday. At three o'clock, I saw the Lord Jesus, crucified, who looked at me and said, I thirst. Then I saw two rays issue from His side, just as they appear in the image. I then felt in my soul the desire to save souls and empty myself for the sake of poor sinners. I offered myself, together with the dying Jesus, to the Eternal Father, for the salvation of the whole world. With Jesus, through Jesus and in Jesus is my communion with You, Eternal Father. On Good Friday, Jesus suffered in His soul in a way which was different from [His suffering on]Holy Thursday." (Diary, 648).
On the cross, blood and water flowed from His side, an image intentionally reflected in the Divine Mercy image. Now, a fountain of mercy flows over us. Jesus gave St. Faustina special instructions for this hour...
"At three o'clock, implore My mercy, especially for poor sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. I will allow you to enter into My mortal sorrow. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion... " (Diary, 1320)
How did Jesus instruct St. Faustina to pray in this hour?...
"My daughter, try your best to make the Stations of the Cross in this hour, provided that your duties permit it; and if you are not able to make the Stations of the Cross, then at least step into the chapel for a moment and adore, in the Blessed Sacrament, My Heart, which is full of mercy; and should you be unable to step into the chapel, immerse yourself in prayer there where you happen to be, if only for a very brief instant. I claim veneration for My mercy from every creature, but above all from you , since it is to you that I have given the most profound understanding of this mystery." (Diary, 1572)
Few of us will find ourselves near the Blessed Sacrament everyday at 3 pm. However, many of us do have the opportunity to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at this time and most of us can take a moment, even just a few seconds, to reflect on Our Lord's sacrifice and His great Love and Mercy towards us.
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Divine Mercy Chaplet
One of the most important messages and powerful gifts Jesus gave to St. Faustina was a very special prayer: The Divine Mercy Chaplet. He calls it the last refuge for hardened sinners and it is a powerful tool in the fight for souls.
Jesus looked at me and said, Souls perish in spite of My bitter Passion. I am giving them the last hope of salvation; that is, the Feast of My Mercy. If they will not adore My mercy, they will perish for all eternity. Secretary of My mercy, write, tell souls about this great mercy of Mine, because the awful day, the day of My justice, is near." (Diary, 965)
Because of this, Jesus instructed St. Faustina to pray it often.
"Once, as I was going down the hall to the kitchen, I heard these words in my soul: Say unceasingly the chaplet that I have taught you. Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy. I desire that the whole world know My infinite mercy. I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy." (Diary, 687)
God wants the whole world to know His mercy - and this chaplet is powerful! St. Faustina began praying the chaplet often and witnessed its powerful effects...
" While I was saying the chaplet, I heard a voice which said, Oh, what great graces I will grant to souls who say this chaplet; the very depths of My tender mercy are stirred for the sake of those who say the chaplet. Write down these words, My daughter. Speak to the world about My mercy; let all mankind recognize My unfathomable mercy. It is a sign for the end times; after it will come the day of justice. While there is still time, let them have recourse to the fount of My mercy; let them profit from the Blood and Water which gushed forth for them.
This chaplet is powerful for all of us, but it is especially powerful for the dying...
"...Pray as much as you can for the dying. By your entreaties, obtain for them trust in My mercy, because they have most need of trust, and have it the least. Be assured that the grace of eternal salvation for certain souls in their final moment depends on you prayer. You know the whole abyss of My mercy, so draw upon it for yourself and especially for poor sinners. Sooner would heaven and earth turn into nothingness than would My mercy not embrace a trusting soul." (Diary, 1777)This request is for all of us - to pray for the dying! Over and over again, Our Lord describes the great graces for those who say this chaplet and the ability of those praying to save others. Just by saying this chaplet for another soul, that soul may be saved through the power of God! St. Faustina witnessed the power of this chaplet ..
"When I entered the chapel for a moment, the Lord said to me, My daughter, help Me to save a certain dying sinner. Say the chaplet that I have taught you for him. When I began to say the chaplet, I saw the man dying in the midst of terrible torment and struggle, His Guardian Angel was defending him, but he was as it were, powerless against the enormity of the soul's misery. A multitude of devils was waiting for the soul. But while I was saying the chaplet, I saw Jesus just as He is depicted in the image. The rays which issued from Jesus' Heart enveloped the sick man, and the powers of darkness fled in panic. The sick man peacefully breathed his last. When I came to myself, I understood how very important the chaplet was for the dying. It appeases the anger of God." (Diary, 1565)
"+The Lord's Promise: The souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death. "(Diary, 754)
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How to Pray The Divine Mercy Chaplet
"Say unceasingly this chaplet that I have taught you. Anyone who
says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests
will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most
hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will
receive grace from My Infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to
know My Infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to
those who trust in My Mercy...."
says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests
will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most
hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will
receive grace from My Infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to
know My Infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to
those who trust in My Mercy...."
Recited on a standard five decade Rosary beads
Begin with: The sign of the Cross then
On the Large or 'Our Father' beads pray: Recite the Our Father then recite:
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.
On the Small or 'Hail Mary' beads pray: Recite the Hail Mary then recite:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Continue through the 5 decades and then conclude by reciting three times:
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us and on the whole world., Amen
Then Recite Closing Prayer:
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You! Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion --- inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your
mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become
despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen.
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Divine Mercy Novena
Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine
Mercy be
preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good
Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the
Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom
He said:
"These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from
such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of
Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is
possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for
them is to flee to My Mercy."
In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her:
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different
group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy
... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My
passion, for the graces for these souls."
The different souls prayed for on each day of the novena are:
DAY 1 (Good Friday)
- All mankind, especially sinners
DAY 2 (Holy Saturday) - The souls of priests and religious
DAY 3 (Easter Sunday)
- All devout and faithful souls
DAY 4 (Easter Monday) - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet
know Him
DAY 5 (Easter Tuesday) - The souls of separated brethren
DAY 6 (Easter Wednesday) - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children
DAY 7 (Easter Thursday) - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy
DAY 8 (Easter Friday) - The souls who are detained in purgatory;
DAY 9 (Easter Saturday) - The souls who have become lukewarm.
During the Solemn Novena leading to Divine Mercy Sunday, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy should be offered each day for theday's intentions.
First Day
"Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners,"
and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.
In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me."
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.
Second Day
"Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and Religious,"
and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy.
It was they who gave me strength to endure My bitter Passion.
Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind."
Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service,* that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard -- upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.
* In the original text, Saint Faustina uses the pronoun "us" since she was offering this prayer as a consecrated religious sister. The wording adapted here is intended to make the prayer suitable for universal use.
Third Day
"Today bring to Me all Devout and Faithful Souls,"
and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.
These souls brought me consolation on the Way of the Cross.
They were a drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness."
Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Fourth Day
"Today bring to Me those who do not believe in God and those who do not know Me,"
I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion,
and their future zeal comforted My Heart.
Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy."
Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.
*Our Lord's original words here were "the pagans." Since the pontificate of Pope John XXIII, the Church has seen fit to replace this term with clearer and more appropriate terminology.
Fifth Day
"Today bring to Me the Souls of those who have separated themselves from My Church"
and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.
During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church.
As they return to unity with the Church
My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion."
Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son's Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.
*Our Lord's original words here were "heretics and schismatics," since He spoke to Saint Faustina within the context of her times. As of the Second Vatican Council, Church authorities have seen fit not to use those designations in accordance with the explanation given in the Council's Decree on Ecumenism (n.3). Every pope since the Council has reaffirmed that usage. Saint Faustina herself, her heart always in harmony with the mind of the Church, most certainly would have agreed. When at one time, because of the decisions of her superiors and father confessor, she was not able to execute Our Lord's inspirations and orders, she declared: "I will follow Your will insofar as You will permit me to do so through Your representative. O my Jesus " I give priority to the voice of the Church over the voice with which You speak to me" (497). The Lord confirmed her action and praised her for it.
Sixth Day
Today bring to Me the Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little Children,"
and immerse them in My mercy.
These souls most closely resemble My Heart.
They strengthened Me during My bitter agony.
I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars.
I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.
Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Seventh Day
Today bring to Me the Souls who especially venerate and glorify My Mercy*,"
and immerse them in My mercy.
These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit.
They are living images of My Compassionate Heart.
These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life.
Not one of them will go into the fire of hell.
I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.
Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God:
Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He, Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen.
*The text leads one to conclude that in the first prayer directed to Jesus, Who is the Redeemer, it is "victim" souls and contemplatives that are being prayed for; those persons, that is, that voluntarily offered themselves to God for the salvation of their neighbor (see Col 1:24; 2 Cor 4:12). This explains their close union with the Savior and the extraordinary efficacy that their invisible activity has for others. In the second prayer, directed to the Father from whom comes "every worthwhile gift and every genuine benefit,"we recommend the "active" souls, who promote devotion to The Divine Mercy and exercise with it all the other works that lend themselves to the spiritual and material uplifting of their brethren.
Eighth Day
"Today bring to Me the Souls who are in the prison of Purgatory,"
and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy.
Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames.
All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice.
It is in your power to bring them relief.
Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf.
Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer,
you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice."
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.
Ninth Day
"Today bring to Me the Souls who have become Lukewarm,"
and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy.
These souls wound My Heart most painfully.
My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.'
For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy."
Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.
Divine Mercy Litany
As
St. Faustina writes, "The Love of God is the flower - Mercy the fruit.
Let the doubting soul read these considerations on Divine Mercy and
become trusting."
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, unfathomed by any intellect, human or angelic, 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, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially for sinners, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Sacred Host, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, in the founding of 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, accompanying us through our whole life, 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 of our 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, source of our happiness and joy, 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 hope 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.
+ Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.
+ O incomprehensible and limitless Mercy Divine, To extol and adore You worthily, who can? Supreme attribute of Almighty God, You are the sweet hope for sinful man.
Into one hymn yourselves unite, stars, earth and sea, and in one accord, thankfully and fervently sing of the incomprehensible Divine Mercy. (Diary, 949)
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, unfathomed by any intellect, human or angelic, 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, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially for sinners, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Sacred Host, I trust in You.
Divine Mercy, in the founding of 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, accompanying us through our whole life, 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 of our 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, source of our happiness and joy, 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 hope 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.
+ Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.
+ O incomprehensible and limitless Mercy Divine, To extol and adore You worthily, who can? Supreme attribute of Almighty God, You are the sweet hope for sinful man.
Into one hymn yourselves unite, stars, earth and sea, and in one accord, thankfully and fervently sing of the incomprehensible Divine Mercy. (Diary, 949)
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Works of Mercy
Corporal Works of Mercy
Feed the HungryGive Drink to the Thirsty
Clothe the Naked
Shelter the Homeless
Visit the Sick
Ransom the Captive
Bury the Dead
Spiritual Works of Mercy
Admonish the Sinner
Instruct the Ignorant
Counsel the Doubtful
Comfort the Sorrowful
Bear Wrongs Patiently
Forgive Injuries
Pray for the Living and the Dead
In St. Faustina's diary, Christ spoke to her about the importance
of mercy - not just celebrating the feast, but living God's Mercy in
our lives...
Later, St. Faustina describes her understanding of Christ's words to her...
But it wasn't just in honor of the Feast that Christ spoke about His desire for acts of mercy...
"...Yes, the first Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Mercy, but there must also be acts of mercy, and I demand the worship of My mercy through the solemn celebration of the Feast and through the veneration of the image which is painted. By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls. It is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works." (Diary, 742)
"My daughter, if I demand through you that people revere My mercy, you should be the first to distinguish yourself by this confidence in My mercy. I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it.(Diary, 742)
I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first - by deed, the second - by word, the third - by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy. Yes, the first Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Mercy, but there must also be acts of mercy, and I demand the worship of My mercy through the solemn celebration of the Feast and through the veneration of the image which is painted. By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls. It is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works." (Diary, 742)
Later, St. Faustina describes her understanding of Christ's words to her...
"The Lord gave me knowledge of His will under three aspects, so to speak, but it all comes down to one:
The first is that souls separated from the world will burn as an offering before God's throne and beg for mercy for the whole world... and by their entreaties they will obtain blessings for priests, and through their prayers prepare the world for the final coming of Jesus.
The second is prayer joined to the act of mercy. In particular, they will defend the souls of children against the spirit of evil. Prayer and merciful deeds are all that will be required of these souls, and even the poorest persons can be admitted to their number. And in this egoistic world they will try to rouse up love, the mercy of Jesus.
The third is prayer and deeds of mercy, without any obligation of taking vows. But by doing this, these persons will have a share in all the merits and privileges of the whole [congregation]. Everyone in the world can belong to this group. A member of this group ought to perform at least one act of mercy a day; at least one, but there can be many more, for such deeds can easily be carried out by anyone, even the very poorest.
For there are three ways of performing an act of mercy: the merciful word, by forgiving and by comforting; secondly, if you can offer no word, then pray - that too is mercy; and thirdly, deeds of mercy. And when the Last Day comes, we shall be judged from this, and on this basis we shall receive the eternal verdict." (Diary 1155-1158)
But it wasn't just in honor of the Feast that Christ spoke about His desire for acts of mercy...
"October 1, 1937. Daughter, I need sacrifice lovingly accomplished, because that alone has meaning for Me. Enormous indeed are the debts of the world which are due to Me; pure souls can pay them by their sacrifice, exercising mercy in spirit.
I understand Your words, Lord, and the magnitude of the mercy that ought to shine in my soul. Jesus: I know, My daughter, that you understand it and that you do everything within your power. But write this for the many souls who are often worried because they do not have the material means with which to carry out an act of mercy. Yet spiritual mercy, which requires neither permissions nor storehouses, is much more meritorious and is within the grasp of every soul. If a soul does not exercise mercy somehow or other, it will not obtain My mercy on the day of judgment. Oh, if only souls knew how to gather eternal treasure for themselves, they would not be judged, for they would forestall My judgment with their mercy." (Diary, 1316-7)
References
- Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul by Faustina Kowalska 2003 ISBN 1-59614-110-7
- Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. http://www.sisterfaustina.org/
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