Divine Mercy During Coronavirus

How to prepare and celebrate the 2020 Feast of the Divine Mercy
during the coronavirus pandemic.

This year's feast is unlike any other before it for the faithful who are suffering from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Many in the United States, South America, Western and Eastern Europe and across Asia are unable to observe the Feast of the Divine Mercy in the traditional way, namely, to attend confession and receive Holy Communion at Mass due to closed churches and canceled services.

Yet, because of our tremendous faith in God, we won't be deterred in our special prayers for the feast. Please celebrate Divine Mercy in your own homes. By faithful prayer, open your heart to receive God's Grace, Mercy, Goodness and Kindness.

To prepare for this wonderful feast, do the following on Good Friday:

• Start a Novena to the Divine Mercy during the pandemic, using the Chaplet, in preparation for the feast on Sunday, April 19.
  
  
• Ask Jesus to help you place all your trust in the Divine Mercy of His Most Sacred Heart.
  

On Sunday, April 19:

• If the Sacrament of Reconciliation with a priest is unavailable, say an Act of Contrition, with the desire never to sin again. Be contrite and humble as you pray. If you can attend church for a traditional confession, then do so seven days before or after the feast.
  
  
• Go to Mass. If you are unable to attend Mass in person, watch the Vatican's video stream of the Mass or via EWTN.
  
• Make a Spiritual Communion with this prayer.
  
  
• Venerate the image of Divine Mercy.

Then...

• Practice works of selfless love and mercy by helping others in trouble and offering prayers to save souls during the pandemic.
  
  
• Watch the live stream of the chapel in Poland housing the image of Divine Mercy and Saint Faustina's shrine.

* * *

Saint Faustina wrote in her diary on Good Friday 1937:

Jesus is commanding me to make a novena before the Feast of Mercy, and today I am to begin it for the conversion of the whole world and for the recognition of The Divine Mercy...so that every soul will praise My goodness. I desire trust from My creatures. Encourage souls to place great trust in My fathomless mercy. Let the weak, sinful soul have no fear to approach Me, for even if it had more sins than there are grains of sand in the world, all would be drowned in the unmeasurable depths of My mercy.  (Diary entry 1059)

* * *

My daughter, look into My Merciful Heart and reflect its compassion in your own heart and in your deeds, so that you who proclaim My mercy to the world, may yourself be aflame with it. (Diary entry 1688)