In 2000, on the occasion of the canonization of a Polish nun, Sister Faustina Kowalska, Pope St. John Paul II instituted Divine Mercy Sunday, thus opening the feast and devotion to the universal Church. Till date millions of people look forward to celebrating this feast annually.
The Archdiocese of Lagos will again witness the largest gathering of Divine Mercy devotees in commemoration of the Divine Mercy Feast Day following the lifting of COVID restrictions on religious gatherings. The theme for this year is: “Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy”.
What is this feast all about? Why is it so important? The Editor, NETA NWOSU interviews Rev. Fr. Sylvester-Mary Oladunjoye, Chaplain, Divine Mercy Devotion, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, on these matters and other contemporary issues including plenary indulgence, Divine Mercy devotion, Divine Mercy image and forgiveness. Excerpts:
The Feast of Divine Mercy, also popularly known as Divine Mercy Sunday is here again. What is this Feast all about?
What is the significance?
The Devotion to the Divine Mercy (or God’s Mercy) became popular after the contents of the Diary, “Divine Mercy in my soul” of St. Maria Faustina Helena Kowalska (St. Faustina for short – 1905 – 1938) were released. Prior to that time, the knowledge of the mercy of God has always been there. The life and Diary of St. Faustina made the knowledge and devotion to Divine Mercy popular and widespread. The Devotion to the Divine Mercy signifies our unwavering trust in the Mercy of God as the only hope of humanity (Diary no. 699).
The sacred scripture is full of stories of Divine Mercy in action. In the Gospels, Divine Mercy became incarnate in the person of Jesus Christ. Indeed, God isn’t merciful because of Himself. He’s because of us. And we make Him happy when we not only ask Him for mercy but also trust in His unfathomable and infinite mercy. In Diary no. 699, He said: “Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity.”
St. Pope John Paul ll established that the Divine Mercy Sunday be enriched with Plenary indulgence for lay faithful who carry out outlined directives. What are these directives? Please throw more light
An indulgence is the remission of the temporary punishments due to sins already forgiven. When the remission is total or complete, it is called Plenary. When the remission is in part, it is called Partial. To gain the plenary indulgence, our Lord promised that “those who’ll make sacramental Confession and receive Holy Communion on this day shall receive the complete (total) forgiveness of sins and total cancellation of due punishments” (Diary no. 699).
How does the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos intend to mark the Feast of Divine Mercy?
Every year, Divine Mercy devotees of Lagos Archdiocese celebrate the Feast of Mercy on Divine Mercy Sunday. We’ve celebrated it at the parish, deanery and archdiocesan levels in the past. For this year, we’ll be celebrating it at the Catholic Church of the Nativity, Festac Town, Lagos. It will be an archdiocesan event with devotees from the length and breathe of Lagos Archdiocese. The Mass will begin by 11:00am.
The Archdiocesan Chaplain will preside. During the Mass, there’ll be talks and songs on Divine Mercy as well as the veneration of the Divine Mercy Image. This will be the largest gathering of Divine Mercy devotees in our Archdiocese following the lifting of COVID restrictions on religious gatherings. Our theme for this year is: “Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy”.
Please, tell us about the Divine Mercy Devotion. How does joining the Divine Mercy Devotion enhances ones Christian Faith?
The Divine Mercy Devotion is one that is dearest to the heart of our Lord. He never gets tired of showing mercy to trusting souls. Joining the Divine Mercy Devotion helps improve one’s Christian faith in a number of ways. First, it enlightens one about the nature of Divine Mercy. Second, it helps one approach God’s mercy each time with renewed faith and trust.
Third, it helps one become merciful to oneself and to others. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7). Fourth, it helps one become a witness to God mercy by regularly carrying out deeds of mercy. Fifth, it helps one to love the merciful Jesus more in the Blessed Sacrament. Sixth, it helps one draw closer to Mary, the Mother of Mercy. Seventh, it helps one understand why mercy is the greatest attribute of God and so on. The benefits are endless here. Their fullness is in the hereafter
How would you rate Nigerians in terms of showing mercy and forgiving one another?
On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate Nigerians 5. We’re not doing badly but we surely can do better. Some people say “I will forgive but I will not forget.” This category of people find it difficult letting go of the memory of an offense. More so, the more severe an offense, the more difficult it is to keep the memory off one’s mind. Is this right? Is the forgiver obligated to forgive the offense? Forgiving our neighbour the wrongs done to us is a non-negotiable injunction of our Lord (Matt. 6:14-15).
It is even one of the seven spiritual works of mercy – “To forgive offences willingly”. Forgetting is another thing entirely. While our Lord said nothing about it in the scriptures, we know that it is not impossible. No sin is too great that it is beyond forgiveness. When forgiveness is total, forgetting will soon result. It is when forgiveness is not total that the hurtful memory lingers. Even emotional healing seems farfetched and psychological recovery seems impossible.
However, when forgiveness is total, though we may have the memory, the hurtful feeling vanishes. This is when we can say that emotional healing and psychological recovery have taken place. These test the quality of forgiveness. Thus, it is quite possible to forgive and forget. It is one big liberating favour that one can do to oneself without being selfish.
Please tell us about the plans the Divine Mercy Devotion has in promoting mercy and forgiveness among Christians.
This has always been the mission of the Catholic Church down the ages. It is still her mission. The Divine Mercy Devotion continues to carry on this merciful missionary mandate by promoting reconciliation amongst hostile parties, carrying out corporal and spiritual works of mercy amongst people without minding their religious affiliations, supporting the aggrieved in giving God’s mercy a chance in their lives, encouraging Catholics to frequent the sacrament of reconciliation, being merciful themselves, etc. Without forgiveness, no one can see God. Without mercy, heaven will be empty. Without mercy, the world will not be different from hell.
What is the significance of the Divine Mercy Image?
The Divine Mercy Image is one special image of our Lord painted at His bidding by a polish artist – Eugene Kazimirowski under the supervision of St. Faustina in 1934. According to our Lord’s prescription, the image should be solemnly blessed on the Feast of Mercy which is the Sunday following Easter Sunday (Diary no. 49). Also, it should be on the sanctuary as a constant reminder that the fount of endless Mercy is always there for us to drink from.
The Feast of Mercy always features the veneration of the Divine Mercy Image following the prescribed format. At other times, the Image can always be venerated. According to our Lord –“I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish…” (Diary no.48). The Image of Divine Mercy is the most sacred treasure of the Divine Mercy Devotion. It not only indicates the presence of God and a Divine Mercy devotee, it also serves as a constant reminder of the “ABC” of the devotion which are: “ASK” for mercy, “BE” merciful, and “COMPLETE TRUST” .
Jesus, I trust in You!
