On 30 April 2000, Saint John Paul II declared the Sunday after Easter as “Divine Mercy Sunday.”
This celebration centers on the image of Divine Mercy, painted according to the description given by the Polish Saint Faustina Kowalska, and which is currently found in many churches around the world.
In her diary, Saint Faustina wrote in February 1931: “At nightfall, being in my cell, I saw the Lord Jesus dressed in a white robe. He had one hand raised in blessing and with the other touched the robe on his chest. From the opening of the tunic in his chest, two great rays came out: one red and one pale. In silence, I attentively looked at the Lord, my soul was filled with fear, but also with great joy. After a moment, Jesus told me: ‘Paint an image according to the model you see, and sign: Jesus, I trust in You. I want this image to be venerated first in his chapel and [later] throughout the world.’”
Here are 20 ideas to celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy as a family:
- Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
- Invite your family or friends to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy physically or virtually
- Ask someone for forgiveness.
- Pray the Rosary for someone who has hurt you.
- Participate in the Holy Mass broadcast live from the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki (Poland), from another parish dedicated to Divine Mercy or from one you have not been to before in your country.
- Read the book Consoling the Heart of Jesus or another inspired by Divine Mercy.
- Read the Diary of Santa Faustina.
- Draw and paint the image of Divine Mercy.
- Do a spiritual work of mercy.
- Build an altar to the Lord of Divine Mercy in your home and pray as a family.
- Pray for the deceased you know and for whom no one prays.
- Read the encyclical letter of Saint John Paul II Dives in misericordia.
- Prepare desserts inspired by Divine Mercy like these cookies, these others or these ice creams.
- Cook a special food of the feast and share it.
- Read the Hunchback of Notre Dame, because the Sunday after Easter also celebrates the ” Feast of Quasimodo ” which refers to “running to Christ”
- Watch the movie Faustina, Apostle of Divine Mercy by Goya Productions or the movie Amor y Misericordia.
- Tell a person about the devotion to Divine Mercy.
- Call a family member who is lonely or you don’t usually talk to.
- Create a list of times you have experienced God’s mercy and thank him in your personal prayer.
- Watch a broadcast based on the feast day.