Christ has Risen, as He said He would, Alleluia!!! The theological experience of Divine Mercy was at the core of Jesus’ Passion, Death, & Resurrection. Yet, in more recent years, Christ’s Message of Mercy has in a particular way been conveyed through the mystical visitations of our Lord to St Faustina Kowalska recorded in her Diary. Below are some excerpts worth praying with collated by Sara & Justin Kraft . “Proclaim that mercy is the greatest attribute of God. All the works of My hands are crowned with mercy.” (No. 301) “Have fear of nothing; I am always with you” (No. 431) “The Lord said to me, ‘The loss of each soul plunges Me into mortal sadness. You always console Me when you pray for sinners. The prayer most pleasing to Me is prayer for the conversion of sinners. Know, My daughter, that this prayer is always heard and answered.’” (No. 1397) “Jesus: ‘My child, life on earth is a struggle indeed; a great struggle for my kingdom. But fear not, because you are not alone. I am always supporting you, so lean on Me as you struggle, fearing nothing. Take the vessel of trust and draw from the fountain of life – for yourself, but also for other souls, especially such as are distrustful of My goodness.’” (No. 1488) “All grace flows from mercy, and the last hour abounds with mercy for us. Let no one doubt concerning the goodness of God; even if a person’s sins were as dark as night, God’s mercy is stronger than our misery. One thing alone is necessary; that the sinner set ajar the door of his heart, be it ever so little, to let in a ray of God’s merciful grace, and then God will do the rest.” (No. 1507) “Today the Lord said to me, ‘Daughter, when you go to confession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flows 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 waiting 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. The proud remain always in poverty and misery, because My grace turns away from them to humble souls.’” (No. 1602) “Oh how much I am hurt by a soul’s distrust! Such a soul professes that I am Holy and Just, but does not believe that I am Mercy and does not trust in My Goodness. Even the devils believe in My Justice, but do not glorify My Goodness. My Heart rejoices in this title of Mercy.'” (No. 300) “I realize more and more how much every soul needs God’s mercy throughout life and particularly at the hour of death. This chaplet [of Divine Mercy] mitigates God’s anger, as He Himself told me.” (No. 1036) “Then I heard the words, ‘I am glad you behaved like My true [child]. Be always merciful as I am merciful. Love everyone out of love for Me, even your greatest enemies, so that My mercy may be fully reflected in your heart.’” (No. 1695) “When once I asked the Lord Jesus how He could tolerate so many sins and crimes and not punish them, the Lord answered me, ‘I have an eternity for punishing [these], and so I am prolonging the time of mercy for the sake of [sinners]. But woe to them if they do not recognize the time of My visitation.’” (No. 1160) This Sunday, April 27, the entire New Albany Deanery will have a joint Divine Mercy Service . There will be several priests hearing confessions (including me) starting at 2p. At 3p there will be a Holy Hour with recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet. This will fulfill the plenary indulgence requirements. Nothing Less than saints for the Holy Family of God. Holy Family, Living Resurrection Mercy, Pray for us. ~ Fr Jeremy M. Gries

Resurrection of Christ by Annibale Carracci, 1593 Louvre