The Divine Mercy Sunday or the Second Sunday of Easter and this year, falls on: April 11, 2021. It is the time of great mercy. Our Lord’s promise is recorded three times in the Diary of St. Faustina Kowalska.  "The soul that will go to confession and receive Holy Communion will obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishments." (Diary 300). On this day, the floodgates of heaven will be completely open with an outpouring of extraordinary graces and indulgences.  A plenary indulgence is granted under the usual conditions. 

All are invited to celebrate with us this monumental day. (see below)

https://stjohnschurchmd.org/attachments/article/27/divinemercy2021-pg1.pdf

 https://stjohnschurchmd.org/attachments/article/27/divinemercy2021-pg2.pdf

Divine Mercy Sunday and the Extraordinary

Grace Promised by Jesus

On April 30, 2000, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, in response to the wishes of the Christian faithful, declared that "...the Second Sunday of Easter henceforth throughout the Church will be called Divine Mercy Sunday." (cf. Homily April 30, 2000 and Decree: Congregation for Divine Worship and The Discipline of the Sacraments).  The desire for this celebration was expressed by Our Lord to Saint Faustina Kowalska and can be found recorded in her Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul:

...My daughter, tell the whole world about My incon­ ceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of grace upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to confession and receive Holy Communion shall attain complete  forgiveness of sins and punishment.

On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are open. 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 angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity ...

The Feast of Mercy emerged from My vry 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).

Some Ways Individuals Can Prepare for

Divine Mercy Sunday

1. Deepen your Faith and Trust in Jesus

   Trusting in Jesus is the essence of the message of mercy. Anyone with a vessel/container can draw water from the fountain of mercy. The water is there for us, and no one is excluded. All we need is a vessel to obtain mercy. Trust in Jesus Christ is the vessel. The size of the vessel is proportionate to amount of mercy that will be received.

2. Make the 9 days Novena of the Divine Mercy, From Good Friday to the following Saturday, pray the novena of the Divine Mercy preferably at 3 PM.

3. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation

   Go to confession reguarly. It is one of the requirements  to receive the promises of Divine Mercy Sunday Celebration.

4. Celebrate the Divine Mercy Mass

   Participate in the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass and receive the Holy Eucharist. The Mass is celebrated at 3 PM.

5. Perform Works of Mercy

   Performing Works of Mercy is a Way of Christ and opening ourselves to become more like Him. There are seven Corporal and seven Spiritual works of Mercy.

6. Pray and Plead for Mercy

   God cannot force anything on us, not even his mercy. Ask and it will be given to you. Be bold & ask for  lots of mercy.

7. Pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy daily