On Divine Mercy Sunday, God offers two distinct gifts, each flowing from a different source, yet both overflowing with His desire to renew the human soul. The first gift comes directly from Jesus, revealed privately to Saint Faustina. The second comes from the Church, officially granted by Saint Pope John Paul II. Both are real. Both are powerful. And both are offered to you.
Gift #1: Jesus’ Promise to Saint Faustina
Through Saint Faustina, Jesus entrusted a message of mercy meant for the whole world, a message the Church has examined and approved. He told her: “Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.” This is an extraordinary grace, something Jesus Himself compared to a new baptism; a total renewal of the soul.
How to receive Jesus’ promise:
- Go to Confession
- Receive Holy Communion
- Approach Him with deep trust in His mercy
Gift #2: The Church’s Plenary Indulgence
The second gift is the Plenary Indulgence officially granted by the Church through a decree of the Holy See under Saint Pope John Paul II. This indulgence offers remission of all temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven; the purification we would otherwise undergo in purgatory.
How to receive the Plenary Indulgence:
- Go to Confession
- Receive Holy Communion
- Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father
- Participate in Divine Mercy devotions at church
- Have a heart detached from all sin
For Those Who Cannot Go to Church
The Church makes it clear that no one is excluded from Divine Mercy. Those who are seriously ill, elderly, homebound, caring for the sick, working at sea, displaced by war or disaster, or unable to leave home for a just reason may still receive the Plenary Indulgence.
They may do so by:
- Praying the Our Father and the Creed
- Saying a simple invocation such as “Merciful Jesus, I trust in You”
- Doing this before an image of the Merciful Jesus, if possible
- Intending to complete the usual conditions (Confession, Communion, prayer for the Pope) as soon as they are able
If someone is so ill or hindered that they cannot even do this, they may still receive the indulgence by:
- Uniting themselves spiritually with those celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday
- Offering their sufferings and prayers to the Merciful Lord
- Resolving to fulfill the usual conditions when possible
In every circumstance, God’s mercy reaches them. Two gifts. Two sources. One merciful God. And the beautiful truth? If you fulfill the requirements for one, you are already very close to fulfilling both.
Personally, I entrust every indulgence to our Blessed Mother Mary, giving her full freedom to apply it wherever it is most needed. It brings me peace to let her choose. I’ve always told Our Lord that I don’t want to spend a moment in purgatory. It is not out of fear, but because I long to be with Him immediately. Divine Mercy Sunday reminded me that God desires this even more than I do. The only thing He asks of us is trust. Not perfection. Not extraordinary holiness. Just trust in His mercy.
May we hold one another in prayer and remember that trusting in God’s mercy is a daily decision; and when doubt comes, let us turn to Jesus with the simple prayer of Mark 9:24: “I do believe; help my unbelief.” saying, Jesus, I trust in You.
Most Holy Mother Mary, Mother of Mercy,
I offer you everything I receive on this Divine Mercy Sunday — every grace, every indulgence, every prayer.
I hold in my heart those I love:
(Speak their names)
And all the souls in purgatory who have no one to pray for them.
You see what I cannot see. You love them more than I do.
Take everything that I offer today. Dispense it as you see fit, to whoever needs it most.
Jesus, I trust in You. Mary, I trust in You.
Amen.
-Sister Elizabeth