March 29, 2013
By Elizabeth Foss
In the Heart of My Home
One of our family’s Good Friday traditions is to begin the Divine Mercy novena, spending a small part of the sad day of the Lord’s passion looking forward to Mercy Sunday. The feast of Divine Mercy, also known as Mercy Sunday, is the Sunday after Easter every year. The message of Divine Mercy is based on the writings of a Polish nun, Sister Faustina Kowalska, who, in obedience to her spiritual director, wrote a diary recording her revelations about the mercy of God. Each day of the novena is posted below so that you can print this post and have the complete novena.
We are assured that God loves us, no matter how great our sins and that He wants us to trust in His mercy. We beg His mercy, trust in His generous response and know that His mercy flows through us to others.
When I was on bed rest, waiting in complete stillness for Sarah to be born, Karoline was not quite 2 years old. Before bed rest, she was a nursing baby who was dependent upon me for pretty much everything. With the beginning of bed rest, she was a weaning toddler who had to learn a whole new routine. Putting her to sleep was a great challenge. Karoline was used to nursing to sleep right next to me. It fell to my 12-year-old daughter to comfort her to sleep in her own room.
Mary Beth left the bedroom door open and from my bed in another room, I could see her curled up around Karoline. She had a beautiful sung version of the Divine Mercy chaplet playing in the room. The rhythm and repetition soothed my wee one to sleep. The words of the chaplet played on during her entire naptime, every day, seeping into our souls.
Over and over, we heard, “For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” His mercy was palpable in a home where we knew that birth could come any time and would bring with it a medical emergency. When the time did come, it was the middle of the night. I went into Mary Beth’s room to tell her we were rushing to the hospital and heard the chaplet still playing. Those words echoed in my head that whole tense day, right up to my baby’s emergency premature birth.
Now, that sung chaplet is very much a part of our family's tradition. The message of mercy is a simple one and children (and the adults in their lives) can call it to mind as readily as ABC:
A — Ask God for His mercy. It is His desire for us to come to Him again and again, confessing and repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy over our souls in such abundance that it will flow from us to others.
B — Be merciful. When we know God’s mercy, we know what it is to be forgiven and to receive grace. God wants us to be missionaries of that mercy, to forgive others and to shower grace upon them.
C — Completely trust in Jesus. The message of mercy is that the more we trust in Jesus, the more completely we rest in Him and are peacefully confident in His mercy, the more we become channels of that mercy and grace. When we live in God’s mercy, it flows abundantly through us, spilling generously into the lives of the people we touch.
I cannot recommend this book enough. As your Lenten readings come to an end, please, please read this book during this Easter season. It has truly changed my life.
There are several sidebar links of interest.
Much more reading on the Divine Mercy Message
We are assured that God loves us, no matter how great our sins and that He wants us to trust in His mercy. We beg His mercy, trust in His generous response and know that His mercy flows through us to others.
When I was on bed rest, waiting in complete stillness for Sarah to be born, Karoline was not quite 2 years old. Before bed rest, she was a nursing baby who was dependent upon me for pretty much everything. With the beginning of bed rest, she was a weaning toddler who had to learn a whole new routine. Putting her to sleep was a great challenge. Karoline was used to nursing to sleep right next to me. It fell to my 12-year-old daughter to comfort her to sleep in her own room.
Mary Beth left the bedroom door open and from my bed in another room, I could see her curled up around Karoline. She had a beautiful sung version of the Divine Mercy chaplet playing in the room. The rhythm and repetition soothed my wee one to sleep. The words of the chaplet played on during her entire naptime, every day, seeping into our souls.
Over and over, we heard, “For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” His mercy was palpable in a home where we knew that birth could come any time and would bring with it a medical emergency. When the time did come, it was the middle of the night. I went into Mary Beth’s room to tell her we were rushing to the hospital and heard the chaplet still playing. Those words echoed in my head that whole tense day, right up to my baby’s emergency premature birth.
Now, that sung chaplet is very much a part of our family's tradition. The message of mercy is a simple one and children (and the adults in their lives) can call it to mind as readily as ABC:
A — Ask God for His mercy. It is His desire for us to come to Him again and again, confessing and repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy over our souls in such abundance that it will flow from us to others.
B — Be merciful. When we know God’s mercy, we know what it is to be forgiven and to receive grace. God wants us to be missionaries of that mercy, to forgive others and to shower grace upon them.
C — Completely trust in Jesus. The message of mercy is that the more we trust in Jesus, the more completely we rest in Him and are peacefully confident in His mercy, the more we become channels of that mercy and grace. When we live in God’s mercy, it flows abundantly through us, spilling generously into the lives of the people we touch.
I cannot recommend this book enough. As your Lenten readings come to an end, please, please read this book during this Easter season. It has truly changed my life.
There are several sidebar links of interest.
Much more reading on the Divine Mercy Message
The Divine Mercy Novena
Day One
Image available at Saints Market (click on stationery)
"Today bring to Me All Mankind, especially all sinners and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me."
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins, but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins, but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.
Day Two
"Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and Religious and 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."Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy, and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard - upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation, and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.
Day Three
"Today bring to Me All Devout and Faithful Souls and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness."Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in the great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.
Eternal Father, turn Your Merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Day Four
"Today bring to Me Those Who Do Not Believe In God 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."Most Compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those 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.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, 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.
Day Five
"Today bring to Me the Souls of those who have separated themselves from My Church and 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." 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 those who have separated themselves from Your Church. 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 glorify the generosity of Your mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son's Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your Own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Day Six
"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 will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is capable of receiving My grace I favor humble souls with My confidence." Most Merciful Jesus, You 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.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls and upon little children, who are enfolded in the abode of 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.
Day Seven
"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."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 in Your Mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they 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.
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 hearts, overflowing with joy, sing 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 promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen.
Day Eight
"Today bring to Me The Souls Who Are Detained in 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 know the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice." 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 Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.
Eternal Father, turn Your most 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 but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.
Day Nine
"Today bring to Me the 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 run to My mercy." 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.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment