The Second Sunday of Easter, or Divine Mercy Sunday, completes the Octave of Easter, a celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the blessing of His continuing presence in our midst. The Gospel reading for Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2025, recalls the encounter between St. Thomas (the doubting Apostle) and Jesus after the Resurrection.
Divine Mercy Sunday celebrates the mercy of Jesus as reminded to us by St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, a religious sister who lived a humble life, to whom Jesus appeared. St. Faustina was born in Krakow, Poland and lived from 1905-1938. She was canonized by St. John Paul II in 2000, who at that time also declared the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. This celebration also honors St. Faustina’s vision of Jesus Christ, and His message of love and peace for the world.
St. Faustina wrote in her diary from private revelation that Jesus told her: “I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My Mercy (Diary 1109). The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion will obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment (Diary 699).”
The image of the Divine Mercy was created by St. Faustina who was told to paint the image of Jesus as she saw Him. The painting has the saying at the bottom: “Jesus, I Trust in You.” The rays emanating from the Sacred Heart of Jesus represent water (white) – which makes souls righteous — and blood (red) — which is the life of souls, Jesus told St. Faustina.
Many Parishes throughout the Diocese hold Divine Mercy services and several have novenas of prayer leading up to the Sunday. The popularity of Divine Mercy has been embraced by many diverse communities throughout the Diocese.
At St. Joseph Parish in Bradenton, Divine Mercy Sunday included the traditional afternoon prayer service, incorporating the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a reflection from Father Rafal Liganza, Pastor of St. Joseph, a recitation of the Divine Mercy Litany, singing of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Solemn Benediction.
Debbie Sutherland helped to organize the Divine Mercy prayer service at St. Joseph, saying that she developed a deep devotion to the celebration 10 years ago.
“It is about what Jesus represents in offering His mercy to all of us,” Sutherland said. “This devotion has changed my life, literally saving me and bringing me closer to the Lord.”
At St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples, the Divine Mercy celebration included a presentation by Sister Teresa de la Fuente, Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy (St. Faustina’s religious order). St. John the Evangelist was one of several Parishes in the Diocese to also offer the opportunity to venerate a first-class relic of St. Faustina.
