Divine Mercy

The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father. Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him.

We are not only to receive the mercy of God, but to use it by being merciful to others through our actions, our words, and our prayers; in other words, we are to practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works (Acts) of Mercy.

The Lord wants us to do these works of mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no use without works.

Divine Mercy Sunday

- Sunday, April 11^th

Pope John Paul II made a surprise announcement in his homily at the canonization of Sr. Faustina on April 30, 2000 changing the Second Sunday after Easter to Divine Mercy Sunday. He declared:"It is important then that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on this Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church, will be called 'Divine Mercy Sunday.' "

Today in a world marked out by violence and discrimination, we need more than ever an awareness of God's Divine Mercy.

Divine Mercy Sunday observation at Annunciation Catholic Church will be on Sunday, April 11^th

7:00 a.m. - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

7:00 a.m. - 8:15 - Recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet

7:00 - 8:00 a.m. - Confessions will be heard in the Church

8:15 a.m. - Benediction

8:30 a.m. - Mass

11:30 a.m. - Mass

How to Pray the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy

to be recited on ordinary rosary beads

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, then say one:
   • Our Father,
   • Hail Mary and
   • The Apostles Creed.
2. Then on the Our Father Beads say:
   • Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
3. On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say:
   • For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
   • (Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades)
4. In conclusion say (three times):
   • Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.