This upcoming Sunday, April 7th, is Divine Mercy Sunday. Originally called the “Easter Octave”, the origin of this feast day stems from a series of fourteen revelations to St. Faustina, a Polish mystic and a Sister of Our Lady of Mercy. Our Lord asked her to record the words He revealed to her. In Diary 699, Saint Faustina recorded the words of Our Lord, “I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.” This makes Divine Mercy Sunday the easiest way for us to get to heaven. In just one day, through one confession and the reception of the Holy Eucharist, we are able to receive a forgiveness of sins that mirrors that of our Baptism. Even better, we get this chance yearly! As I have grown older, I realize how incredible the mercy of God is. He gives us the chance to redeem ourselves yearly, and during every individual confession, even after saving us through His Passion and death on the cross. 

At St. Placid, the campus which accommodates our Early Learning Program, children are taught the infinite mercy and forgiveness that God bestows on us. The importance of apologizing for wrongdoing seems so obvious to teach, yet it is truly preparing these children for the amazing sacrament of reconciliation. For this reason, we also teach the children the importance of forgiving each other after someone offers them an apology. This simple teaching instills a practice that will help the children grow closer to God throughout their life. Our hope is that this love for God and His mercy will be present throughout their lives and bring them closer to Heaven. This Divine Mercy Sunday I pray that we all may take part in growing closer to God and His infinite mercy.

AUTHOR: Hannah Ford, St. Placid Early Learning Program Coordinator