From St. Maria Faustina’s Diary it is clear that this Octave Day of Easter is a day chosen by Christ as a day of extraordinary graces — a complete outpouring of His mercy upon alI who approach Him with great trust and expectant Faith. To properly celebrate this great day, we need to prepare well.

Pope John Paul II canonized Sr. Faustina on Divine Mercy Sunday in 2000. He also established Divine Mercy Sunday as a feast day for the entire Church.

At the canonization of St. Faustina on April 30, 2000, Pope John Paul II said, “It is important that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word on God on this Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church, will be called ‘Divine Mercy Sunday.’

LENTEN Preparation

We begin to prepare in Lent for our celebration of Easter and Mercy Sunday as the eighth day of thanksgiving (the Octave Day of Easter).

We especially focus on performing works of mercy, spending more time in prayer, as well as doing penances and giving alms.

PERSONAL Preparation

Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent. The faithful are reminded to go to confession as part of their preparation for celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday. Ideally, they should plan to go to confession before the day itself— preferably during Lent.

Other suggested preparations:

• Show mercy to others by doing whatever spiritual and corporal works of mercy we can, depending upon our own personal circumstances;

• Pause for prayer during the 3 o’clock hour,

• Make a continuous novena to The Divine Mercy

• Read the Diary of St. Maria Faustina, or other materials about Divine Mercy and Mercy Sunday (especially read The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion booklet

• Distribute pamphlets about The Divine Mercy

•Tell others about God’s mercy, especially as it has touched you in your own life;

• TRUST in Jesus even more.

GROUP Preparation

We can also join with family members or friends to prepare for Divine Mercy Sunday in groups, trusting in Our Lord’s promise that where two or three are gathered in His name.

Choose some of the following activities or others of your own:

• Encourage each other to TRUST in Jesus;

• Pray together, especially the Chaplet and selected prayers from the Diary,

• Read out loud selections about Divine Mercy — from Sacred Scripture, the Diary, the encyclical Rich in Mercy, or other books and booklets, especially The Divine Mercy Menage and Devotion;

• View videos or DVDs about the Divine Mercy message;

• Discuss the readings to help each other gain new insights and understanding;

• Share your personal experiences of God’s great mercy

• Do some work of mercy as a special group project.

Whether you prepare for Mercy Sunday individually or as a member of a parish or other group, the ABC’s of the Divine Mercy remain the same —

Ask for mercy,

Be merciful to others, and

Completely trust in Jesus.