ThOuGhTs, iDeAs, oPiNiOnS, cHaTtEr: Divine Mercy Sunday

Sunday, April 27, 2025

Divine Mercy Sunday

Praying for the grace on the promise of Divine Mercy Sunday. Thus, planned to do confession and communion today. Saw also the website showing what to do during Divine Mercy Sunday (which I think is the advise during the pandemic and lockdowns).

To quote: (https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/what-do-divine-mercy-sunday)

Do these three things on Divine Mercy Sunday with the intention to turn away from sin in your life:

1. Make an Act of Contrition

Since you are unable to get to Confession, make an Act of Contrition, instead. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Among the penitent's acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is 'sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again'" (1451).

You thereby will be completely forgiven of all sins, even “mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible” (Catechism, 1452).

2. Make a Spiritual Communion

Since churches are closed and you cannot receive Holy Communion, make a Spiritual Communion instead, asking God to come into your heart as if you received Him sacramentally — Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. For instance, you can say this:

Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things and I desire You in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
As though You were already there,
I embrace You and unite myself to You;
permit not that I should ever be separated from You.
Amen.

Again, do this act of trust with the intent to return to the sacrament of Holy Communion as soon as possible.

3. Say a prayer like this:

Lord Jesus Christ, You promised St. Faustina that the soul that has been to Confession [I’m unable, but I made an Act of Contrition] and the soul that receives Holy Communion [I’m unable, but I made a Spiritual Communion] will receive the complete forgiveness of all sins and punishment. Please, Lord Jesus Christ, give me this grace.

Finally, please remember that this extraordinary promise of Divine Mercy Sunday is for everyone. Tell your non-Catholic friends about it. Everyone can ask Jesus to forgive their sins. Everyone can make a Spiritual Communion. And everyone can ask for this grace to completely wipe their slate clean of not only all sin, but all punishment due to sin. Normally, the punishment is not remitted unless one has absolute perfect contrition. And unlike a plenary indulgence, there is no requirement of having perfect detachment from sin. In other words, as long as we have a desire for this grace and intention to amend our lives, we can be completely cleansed with grace similar to our original Baptism. It is a way to really start over in our spiritual life!

After the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, I will do #3 in front of the Divine Mercy image followed by praying the Creed and pray for the Pope's intentions.

I was supposed to leave around 7:15 AM hoping to be among the first in the queue for the confession at the Sto. Nino de Paz Greenbelt Chapel. Left around 7:30 AM. When I arrived, the 7:15 AM Mass is mid-way (I intend to participate in the 9 AM Mass). I am the fifth (5th) in the queue.

The confessor is Fr. Ike. When I saw him enter the confessional, he looks kind. When I was talking to him, his voice is very calming. I tried the "nature and number" when confessing. This also included my previous confessions because I did not say the "number" then. Luv Fr. Ike's guiding message.

The Mass presider is Fr. Benny.

Divine Mercy Sunday reminds us that we have a God who is a merciful God. Divine mercy does not only mean forgiveness of sin but also of salvation.

When we confess, do not seek only for forgiveness but also seek for salvation. This is the meaning of "peace be with you" message of Jesus in the Gospel.

"To see is to believe" versus "If you want to see, you must first believe."

When Thomas said, "My Lord and my God", he changed from doubting Thomas to doubtless Thomas.

"Blessed are those who have not seen but believed" (this is us) is the authentic faith.

After the Mass, proceeded to The Landmark to go to the Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel. It is closed. It would open at 10:30 AM. So, went to BPI at Glorietta to withdraw from their ATM.

Back to the chapel, since it is one of the Jubilee churches, offered the plenary indulgence, with God's grace I would be gaining, for Pope Francis.

Since I would also be buying a Mass card, I have to wait for 11 AM since that is the time the office of the chapel will open.

Next, went to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to buy frappuccino to-go.

Going home, passed by Goldilocks to buy pastries I would be bringing with me later when I attend my cousin's wife's wake.

As soon as Lyn arrived after attending the Mass, left around 7:30 PM to go to Manila Memorial Park. There are so many people that I do not know half of them. Good thing may aunt and two of my cousins (with their kids) is there. Talked with them while staying there a for a few minutes. I wanted to lead a rosary but that is a very noisy wake. Left, too, when my aunt and cousins left.

Before proceeding home, passed by icebergs at Santana Grove for dinner. I don't think this restaurant has a branch in Makati.

Labels: frappuccino, Mass