Today is the culmination of this Jubilee Year of Mercy. In fact we are celebrating the Divine Mercy Sunday.
A close look at the Solemn Novena that leads today’s feast shows how the mercy of Jesus really does include all of us! Hence, Jesus asked Saint Fasutina, and we who pray the Novena, to bring to Him different categories from the human race so that He can personally make their own the experience of the Psalmist: “O taste and see that the LORD is good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8).
On the first day, Jesus asked Faustina – and us – to bring Him all sinners. “Immerse them in the ocean of y mercy. In this way you will console me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges me”. On the second day, He asks that the souls of priests and religious be brought to Him. “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”. On the third day, Jesus desires that all devout and faithful souls be presented to Him. “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”.
On the fourth day, Jesus wants the souls of those who do not believe in God and those who do not know Him be presented to Him. “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.” On the fifth day, Jesus desires that the souls of those who have separated themselves from His Church be offered to Him. “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”.
On the sixth day, Jesus wants us to bring to Him the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. “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 favour humble souls with my confidence”.
On the seventh day, Jesus wants us to bring Him the souls who especially venerate and glorify His mercy. “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.
On the eighth day, Jesus desires that the souls who are in the prison of purgatory be put into His merciful heart. “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.”
On the ninth day, Jesus ardently desires the souls who have become lukewarm to be brought to His mercy. “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.”
Do I suffer from spiritual lukewarmness? Why not start praying the Divine Mercy chaplet daily? God’s mercy is available to me!
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap