John Paul II and Divine Mercy, the devotion that guided his pontificate



April 16, 2011 (Romereports.com) John Paul II will be beatified on May 1, during the Sunday of Divine Mercy, it's the same liturgical feast that was celebrated the day the pope passed away.


It's a celebration closely linked to Poland and John Paul's pontificate and the devotion he held for St. Faustina Kowlaska, who began spreading devotion to Divine Mercy.


Fr. Giuseppe Bart
Sanctuary of Divine Mercy (Rome)
“John Paul II grew up with the spirituality of St. Faustina Kowalska. Throughout his pontificate he explained the need to invoke the Divine Mercy. John Paul II said the Divine Mercy was the key to his pontificate.”


In fact, John Paul II officially established the devotion to Divine Mercy for the whole Church during the canonization of Sister Faustina Kowalska.


Fr. Giuseppe Bart
Sanctuary of Divine Mercy (Rome)
“In 2000, John Paul II canonized Sister Faustina, which is the first saint of the Jubilee. During her canonization he stated that 'from now on this Sunday will be called Divine Mercy' and from then on the devotion began to spread in a surprising way, especially among the laity.”


Just down the road from the Vatican, in the church of Santo Spirito in Sassia, is the sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Rome. There, faithful and different travelers gather every day of the year to pray the Litany of Divine Mercy. It's a prayer that is recited at three in the afternoon to ask God for the world's salvation by appealing to the Divine Mercy.

Fr. Giuseppe Bart
Sanctuary of Divine Mercy (Rome)
“Three in the afternoon is the hour that Jesus died. This comes from one of the apparitions that Sister Faustina saw, the Lord asked her to meditate everyday at that time of his Passion, which is the aim of this worship.”


To prepare for the beatification of Pope John Paul II, Benedict XVI wanted the Litany of the Divine Mercy to be prayed in St. Peter's Square before the ceremony began. In a demonstration of the importance of this devotion in the life of the Blessed John Paul II.
-

Comments

Post a Comment

Comments are moderated and are published at the blogger's discretion.

Blog Archive

Show more

Popular posts from this blog

The Spirituality and Miracles of St. Clare of Assisi

Image
August 11 is the memorial of St. Clare, one of my favorite saints. She was the first woman to follow the life of radical poverty practiced by St. Francis of Assisi and is the co-founder of the Poor Clares. Although I am not a Franciscan, I have had Franciscan friends, clergy, and spiritual directors instruct me on the beauty of St. Clare's spirituality. I have also learned a great deal from reading about her over the years. Clare and Francis (2007) is a film which depicts the fascinating story of her dramatic conversion and surrender to the will of God. St. Clare is the patron saint of television. She is also the patron of eye disorders, embroiderers, good weather, and telephones. The Contemplative Life The Lady Clare was born into a noble family in Assisi in 1193 and was admired for her great beauty. When she heard Francis of Assisi preach his Lenten homilies at the Church of San Giorgio, she was captivated by his words. At age eighteen, she heard him say: "When the
Read more

Saint Michael de Sanctis: Patron of Cancer Patients

Image
Today is the feast of Saint Michael de Sanctis, also known as St. Michael of the Saints, a Spanish Discalced Trinitarian priest, the patron of cancer patients. Michael Argemir was born on September 29, 1591 at Vic, Catalonia, Spain. At age 6, he told his parents that he planned to become a monk and began modeling his life after Saint Francis of Assisi. Michael’s parents died when he was about ten years old. He then served as an apprentice with a local merchant. During this apprenticeship, he continued his fervent devotion to the Lord, especially to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. At the age of 12, he joined the Trinitarian Friars at Barcelona, taking his vows at St. Lambert’s monastery in Saragosa four years later.  Shortly afterwards, Michael expressed a desire to join the reformed group of Trinitarians and was given permission to do so. He went to the Novitiate at Madrid and, after studies at Seville and Salamanca, he was ordained a priest. Twice he served as Superior of the hou
Read more

St. Raymond Nonnatus, Patron of Expectant Mothers, Midwives, and Newborn Babies

Image
The saint of the day for August 31 is St. Raymond Nonnatus. He is the patron of expectant mothers, midwives, obstetricians, infertile couples, and newborn babies. Raymond was born at Portella, Catalonia, Spain in 1204, the son of wealthy parents. He was delivered by cesarean section when his mother died in childbirth. Hence his name non natus (not born). In his childhood, he seemed to find pleasure only in his devotions and serious duties. His father, sensing that Raymond was drawn to religious life, ordered him to manage one of the family farms. Raymond readily obeyed but spent his time with the shepherds and workers, studying and praying until his father abandoned the idea of making his son a worldly success. Raymond later joined the the Order of Our Lady of Mercy or the Mercederians, which was founded by St. Peter Nolasco, who devoted to ransoming Christians captured by the Moors. He succeeded Peter as chief ransomer and went to Algeria to ransom slaves. He remained as hosta
Read more