“My daughter, encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have
given to you.”
Divine Mercy Holy Hours
Volumes have been written about the Chaplet of Divine Mercy,
especially regarding the dying - those about to meet their God.
Not being a theologian, I will not attempt to explain it, save
these simple words: When Jesus gave Faustina the Chaplet, He
made many wonderful promises to those who would recite it, even
if only once! Through the Chaplet prayer, we are offering to God
the Father the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus, in
atonement for our sins and the sins of the whole world. This is
what Jesus did on Calvary, and this is what He perpetuates
sacramentally at every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, through His
priests. This is why the Chaplet is so powerful - in effect it
says over and over to the Father - see sinful humanity through
the sufferings of Your Only-Begotten Son. Forgive and have mercy
on us, for the sake of His sorrowful Passion! Reciting the
Chaplet is a spiritual participation in the Holy Mass; as
laypeople we exercise part of our royal priesthood as baptized
Christians through the recitation of the chaplet. There are
many references to the Chaplet in Faustina's diary.
Young and old alike benefit from the Divine Mercy Holy
Hours.
How can we get more people involved in saying the
Chaplet? In Enfield, Connecticut, at the St. Joseph's Chapel
of the Little Sisters of the Poor residence for the elderly,
we began in 2002 what was to become a new format for a
Divine Mercy Holy Hour that is spreading now to different
parishes by word of mouth. In the video above, Mother Mary
Bernard, Superior, describes the format we have used
consistently. What is not described is that between each
decade of the Chaplet we read two or three verses from the
diary. Over the course of a year, those attending get to
hear much of the diary. Those that find reading such a large
book a daunting task, especially the elderly and infirm,
appreciate the ability to just listen in a holy setting -
before the Blessed Sacrament.
This Holy Hour is geared towards parishes and
religious communities, because it is set up for many
people to attend, and requires in it's highest form,
a priest to perform the rites of Exposition of the
Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. We have people
come from many surrounding towns as well; the Holy
Hour therefore needs to take place in a Church or a
chapel.
Mercy Film Corp, (our non-profit religious
education through film and video corporation), with the
permission of the Marians in Stockbridge (the copyright holders
of the English version of the diary), is currently working on a
booklet which will have one year of Holy Hours, that is, 52
weeks of readings taken from St. Faustina's diary. Once the book
is available, interested parties will be able to order copies
for those who wish to read along, or make private Holy Hours as
well. The readings will be liturgically based, so during the
Christmas season, the readings will focus on spiritual
childhood, simplicity, the Incarnation, Christmas in the
convent, etc. The readings leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday
during Lent teach the people about the obligations, promises and
graces of the Feast of Divine Mercy. Every major aspect of the
devotion and the life of St. Faustina, including the origins of
the Image and Chaplet, are covered at some point during the
year, so again, after a year, those who attend have a very
well-rounded exposure to the diary and message.
Father Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, giving a talk at our Holy
Hour in Enfield. This insightful talk can be found on the
Marian Apostolates DVD, given freely with the purchase of
the
Oceans of Mercy retreat DVD.
Finally, many times throughout the year, we'll invite a guest speaker to give
a 20 to 30 minute talk after the Chaplet. We've had Dr. Robert Stackpole,
Director of the JPII Institute of Divine Mercy, Father Seraphim Michalenko, the
former vice-postulator of the cause of St. Faustina, priests from Nigeria and
Uganda, Bob Allard, Marie Romangano, founder of Healthcare Professionals for Divine Mercy, Mother
of Mercy Messengers and others all give talks during our Holy Hour, which
strengthens the people and encourages them to continue coming to spend this time
with Jesus, learning about God's mercy, and silent adoration.
I have had
comments from the sisters themselves at the convent that the
Holy Hours have made them better nuns and helped them better
live out their own vocation. Many young persons come as well.
It's a very grace-filled Holy Hour, and we encourage you to get
involved and try and start one in your parish or community.
Jesus told Faustina that due to her faithfulness and His love,
He would bless the neighborhood where she would be; He will do
the same for us. We need these holy hours and chaplet prayers
for our neighborhoods, overrun with drugs, violence and
darkness. Let us bring this powerful light of Christ into our
neighborhoods for our families and children with these Holy
Hours in our parishes and our religious communities!
For more information, please email us at
holyhours@mercyfilms.com.
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