V-Catholic team wishes all its readers a blessed Feast of Divine Mercy. When we go through the novena in preparation of the Feast of Divine Mercy, our merciful God is inviting us to approach him and immerse us in his ocean of mercy.
Feast of Divine Mercy is a feast of blessings. It is an occasion to earn complete forgiveness of sins and exemption from punishment. Jesus Christ, the Lord of mercy is waiting for us with plenty of heavenly blessings to those who observe this feast in a worthy way.
As we know, the revelations about Divine Mercy were given to us through St Faustina. Whoever approaches the Fount of Life on this day will be granted complete remission of sins and punishment (Diary 300). The soul tat will go to confession and receive Holy Communion on this day will obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment (Diary 699). I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My mercy (Diary 1109).
Jesus repeats many times that the feast of Divine Mercy brings with it an opportunity to get special graces from heaven. He assures us of complete pardon of sins and remission of punishments on this blessed occasion. We know that the price of our forgiveness is the sacrifice Jesus made in Calvary. The ransom he paid for us is his body and blood and what saves us from just punishment is the merits of his passion and crucifixion. Upon him was the punishment that made us whole (Isa 53:5). The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isa 53:6). With these two verses Isaiah explains how Jesus accepted the punishments on our behalf and in return freed us.
The Holy Eucharist is the remembrance and celebration of the passion, crucifixion, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and its importance need not be more emphasized. Jesus has told us to worthily receive Holy Communion as an essential condition for getting indulgence on this feast day. A good confession is a prerequisite for worthily receiving the Communion where the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Crist is offered to God the Father. This is the reason for the Holy Eucharist becoming the fount of forgiveness and deliverance. We are reminded to receive it only after due introspection (1 Cor 11:27) and a good confession helps us in this regard.
In the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, we are offering the same body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ spiritually whereas in Holy Mass we offer it really. If our Father in heaven is pleased in the offering that we make in the Holy Mass, there is no reason He would not be pleased when we offer it spiritually also. This is the assurance Jesus gave us while instituting the Feast of Divine Mercy and devotional exercises and prayers associated with it.
The Church has selected the second Sunday of Easter for the Feast of Divine Mercy for the reason that it would be celebrated by those who go through the Lent and Paschal mysteries culminating in the joy of resurrection. So our preparations for Easter are in equal measures preparation for the Feast of Divine Mercy as well. To those who approach this feast with due spiritual preparation, the Holy Catholic Church opens the doors of indulgences.
To earn the plenary indulgence on the Feast of Divine Mercy one must go to a church and offer Holy Mass and receive the Holy Communion in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin. They should also participate in prayers held in honor of Divine Mercy. They could include devotions such as Divine Mercy Chaplet and Eucharistic Adoration. They should also fulfill the normal conditions for indulgence like confession, receiving Holy Communion and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father.
There is something more the Feast of Divine Mercy reminds us. Those who approach God for mercy should be ready to show that mercy to others as well. ‘Be merciful just as your Father is merciful’ (Lk 6:36). Mercy is a favor; not a privilege. Realizing this, let us approach the seat of mercy, and in turn act as channels of mercy to others.
