Psalm 61

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer!

From the ends of the earth I call; my heart grows faint.

Raise me up, set me on a rock, for you are my refuge,
a tower of strength against the foe.

Let me dwell in your tent forever,
take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

For you, O God, have heard my vows,
you have granted me the heritage of those who revere your name.

Add days to the life of the king;
may his years be as from generation to generation.

May he reign before God forever;
send your love and fidelity to preserve him

I will duly sing to your name forever,
fulfill my vows day after day.

'Peace I Leave With You; My Peace I Give You'

John Chapter 14 tells us so much about the Holy Trinity and how to live in peace and grace. Trust and not being afraid lead us to God's infinite Love.

Last Supper Discourses.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

“All this I have spoken while still with you.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

“You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

“Come now; let us leave.

We Place Our Trust in You

Today's readings reinforce the central message of Divine Mercy, which is Trust. If you feel stuck, afraid or sad, keep repeating Jesus I Trust in You! He wants your complete trust to guide you to His Most Merciful Heart. Pray for one another.

Responsorial Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Gospel John 6:16-21

When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea,
embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum.
It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.
When they had rowed about three or four miles,
they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat,
and they began to be afraid.
But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”
They wanted to take him into the boat,
but the boat immediately arrived at the shore
to which they were heading.

Prayer of Hope

Father, relying on your infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of your grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

'Do Whatever Is Within Your Power To Spread Devotion to My Mercy'

Jesus invites each one of us to approach His Most Merciful Divine Heart and experience His tender Love. This is a beautiful passage in Saint Faustina's diary. Our Lord appeared to her multiple times throughout her young life, imparting messages of peace and kindness to her and to us. Read this entry, think about it and then live it.

April 1937
When I went for adoration, I heard these words: My beloved daughter, write down these words, that today My Heart has rested in this convent [the Cracow house]. Tell the world about My mercy and My love. 

The flames of mercy are burning me. I desire to pour them out upon human souls. Oh, what pain they cause Me when they do not want to accept them! 

My daughter, do whatever is within your power to spread devotion to My mercy. I will make up for what you lack. Tell aching mankind to snuggle close to My  merciful Heart, and I will fill it with peace.

Tell [all people], My daughter, that I am Love and Mercy itself. When a soul approaches Me with trust, I fill it with such an abundance of graces that it cannot contain them within itself, but radiates them to other souls. (Diary entry 1074)

We are loved abundantly, but do we show love? Do we allow God's Mercy to work in us and through us to help bring others to salvation? Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. It's one very easy way to show mercy and love.

Go to your parish church and ask that the Chaplet of Divine Mercy become part of the daily devotions offered. Urge your pastor to include opportunities to pray the Chaplet as a group on special feast days and at church events. 
Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy to save souls with the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.

Healing and Hope Through Confession

Daughter, when you go to confession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flow down upon your soul and ennobles it. Every time you go to confession, immerse yourself entirely in My mercy, with great trust, so that I may pour the bounty of My grace upon your soul. When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waithing there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy. Tell souls that from this fount of mercy souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity. The torrents of grace inundate humble souls. (Diary entry 1602)

Celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy

Today, a new day has dawned for you.
A fresh start.

The second Sunday of Easter, proclaimed by Blessed Pope John Paul II, is known as Divine Mercy Sunday.

It is a magnificent feast day for the Holy Church. Why? Because the Sacred Heart of Jesus is ready to forgive all who approach Him with a contrite heart. All sin, all misery and all sadness wiped away.

First, we must be open to God's Mercy. Second, we must forgive others and seek their forgiveness. Third, we must go to Jesus, ask for His Mercy, then appreciate and proclaim God's graciousness to us.

Today's Gospel reading says so much about God's Mercy. He appears to the disciples after the Resurrection, saying "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

But Thomas isn't there to see Him. A week later the disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,  and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Jesus was patient with Thomas. Jesus is patient with us. Trust in Him!

Good and Glorious God, today we celebrate the feast of Your Most Benevolent Divine Mercy that is Your greatest attribute and exemplary of Your Love for us. Please heal us through Your Goodness as we honor You today by:

• Acknowledging our sins and sinful ways and having sorrow for them.
• Receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance.
• Receiving Holy Communion.
• Venerating the image of Divine Mercy.
• Being merciful and compassionate with others.
• Rejoicing, for God's Mercy is limitless.

Do each of the above points today, April, 7.

This Feast emerged from the very depths of My mercy, and it is confirmed in the vast depths of My tender mercies. Every soul believing and trusting in My mercy will obtain it. (Diary entry 420)

* * *

Go to your parish church and ask that the Chaplet of Divine Mercy become part of the daily devotions offered. Urge your pastor to include opportunities to pray the Chaplet as a group on special feast days and at church events. 


Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy to save souls with the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.

The Feast of God's Divine Mercy

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Psalm 118.

The Novena to Divine Mercy - Day 9

Today's Novena to Divine Mercy continues with prayers for those who have become lukewarm in their relationship with Jesus. These souls particularly offend the Most Sacred Heart  of Jesus because they believe yet they choose not to act. Pray intensely for them today.

Jesus asks: Today bring to Me 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 flee to My mercy.

Let us pray together.

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.

Fire and ice cannot be joined;

Either the fire dies, or the ice melts.

But by Your mercy, O God,

You can make up for all that is lacking.

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.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

The Novena to Divine Mercy - Day 8

Today's Novena to Divine Mercy continues with prayers for the souls who are in Purgatory and waiting release into the heavenly kingdom. Your prayers will hasten their journey. Pray for them today.

Jesus asks: 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.

Let us pray together.

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 the purifying fire, that in that place, too, the power of Your mercy may be praised.

From that terrible heat of the cleansing fire

Rises a plaint to Your mercy,

And they receive comfort, refreshment, relief

In the stream of mingled Blood and Water.

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 than through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

The Novena to Divine Mercy - Day 7

Today's Novena to Divine Mercy continues with prayers for those who believe and trust in Jesus through His Divine Mercy. By praying the novena and chaplet, you are in the company of very blessed and special souls, and our dear Saint Faustina, whose hands God chose to proclaim his message of Love.

Jesus asks: 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. 

Let us pray together.

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. These souls are united to Jesus and 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.

A soul who praises the goodness of her Lord

Is especially loved by Him.

She is always close to the living fountain

And draws graces from Mercy Divine.

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 spirit, overflowing with joy, sings 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 promises of Jesus, who said to them, I Myself will defend as My own glory, during their lifetime, and especially at the hour of their death, those souls who will venerate My Fathomless mercy.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

The Novena to Divine Mercy - Day 6

Today's Novena to Divine Mercy continues with prayers for meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. Let us pray for meekness and humility to be pleasing in the eyes of God.

Jesus asks: 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 would keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is able to receive My grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence. 

Let us pray together.

Most Merciful Jesus, Your 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.

A truly gentle and humble soul

Already here on earth the air of paradise breathes,

And in the fragrance of her humble heart

The Creator Himself delights.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek and humble souls, and upon the souls of 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.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

The Novena to Divine Mercy - Day 5

Today's Novena to Divine Mercy continues with prayers for those who have separated themselves from God's church. Pray for unity and Divine graces for all of us.

Jesus asks: Today bring to Me the souls of heretics and schismatics, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore 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.

Let us pray together.

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 heretics and schismatics. 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 extol the generosity of Your mercy.

Even for those who have torn the garment
of Your unity,
A fount of mercy flows from Your Heart.
The omnipotence of Your mercy, Oh God,
Can lead these souls also out of error.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of heretics and schismatics, 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 Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent tor their sake, since they, too,  are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.


Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Pope John Paul II Anniversary

Today, we reflect on the life of Holy Pope John Paul II, courageous in time of illness, strong when his enemies sought to weaken him and loving in the face of despair. He died April 2, 2005, on the eve of the feast of Divine Mercy Sunday. Pray for us, Blessed Pope John Paul II,  that we may adopt your traits. Champion of Divine Mercy, hear us.

Loving Father of Mercy, you gave us Holy Pope John Paul II to carry the mission of Divine Mercy to all peoples, fulfilling Your desire to institute a feast honoring your limitless love, generosity, compassion, and above all, Mercy. Together with Your daughter, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, who is Your Secretary of Divine Mercy, Pope John Paul II continues Your most holy work from heaven. Help us, here on Earth, to recognize that Mercy is Your greatest attribute, O God. Let us believe and act and speak with mercy in our daily lives. Let us take up Your mission of Divine Mercy and help it to permeate the hearts of all your children. We ask that Blessed Pope John Paul II may soon be counted among Your saints. Amen.

Intercede for us, Blessed Pope John Paul II, now and at the hour of our death. 

The Novena to Divine Mercy - Day 4

Today's Novena to Divine Mercy continues with prayers for who do not believe in God. Pray for them, that they are open to and receive Divine Light.

Jesus asks: Today bring to Me the pagans and those who do not yet 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.

Let us pray together.

Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of pagans 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.

May the light of Your love
Enlighten the souls in darkness;
Grant that these souls will know You
And, together with us, praise Your mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of pagans 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.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.