The Second Sunday of Easter is also known as ‘the Feast of Divine Mercy.’ Saint John Paul II declared the Sunday after Easter to be called “Divine Mercy Sunday” in the year 2000 during his papacy.
The importance of the Divine Mercy Feast is credited to a Polish nun who experienced visions from Christ himself. St. Faustina Kowalska was born in 1905. St. Faustina piously served her parish and lived religiously and spiritually. Her devoutness to God was extraordinary and Jesus on several occasions communicated with her through visions.
In a vision, Jesus told St. Faustina, “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day are opened all the divine floodgates through which graces flow. 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. Everything that exists has come from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My mercy. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy.” (www.thedivinemercy.org)
Devotion to Divine Mercy, has been a source of reconciliation with faith and God’s mercy. Jesus wished to be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. It provides an avenue for people from all walks of life to humble themselves before God, and ask for his mercy, love, and forgiveness, which he grants to all those who are willing to ask for it. It emphasizes divine forgiveness and mercy. It speaks of how Jesus offered his compassion and love to us, and how we should act in the most Christian ways all the days of our lives.