152 Two years ago, the Marians have also transmitted live 15-minute weekly programs from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy sharing various refl ections on the Mercy Message with listeners in the greater Detroit area. The Role of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., is the largest and most frequented Shrine in the United States. The Marians of the Washington House have established it, with the permission of its Rector and the knowledge of the local Archbishop, as the place for the annual special celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday, which have been celebrated solemnly there since 1990. Because of its importance for the American Catholic Church, the Divine Mercy Sundays celebrated there has had an infl uence on other Churches, such as those in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the Diocese of Arlington and many other parishes in other dioceses. The Washington, DC celebration has provided a good model for celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday with great solemnity, spiritual preparation and benefi t. The celebration there began a decade prior to the offi cial establishment of the Divine Sunday by the Holy See and has continued to the present time. In 1995, the Basilica’s Divine Mercy Sunday celebration was broadcast live via EWTN and affected many persons. Marian Distributors and Promoters of Divine Mercy Around the World Close collaboration exists among the Marians living in various Provinces and their sharing of Divine Mercy resources and materials especially through the formation of Marian Helpers Centers. For example, the Marian Helpers Center in England distributes Divine Mercy materials produced in the U.S. and in Poland while the Marian Helpers Center in the U.S. distributes Divine Mercy materials produced in Poland, Brazil and the Ukraine. The Marians have also formed or have entered into formal contractual agreements with individuals or centers that collaborate in the work of promoting and distributing Divine Mercy materials in various countries on every continent. The fi rst major relationship began in 1984, with Don De Castro who is responsible for introducing the Divine Mercy Message and Devotion through television and radio throughout the Philippines. He created the Three O’Clock Habit program that the government of the Philippines has endorsed and has encouraged all Filipinos to stop and pray the “three o’clock prayer of mercy.” As a result all media and businesses in the country stop at three o’clock in the afternoon for prayer.
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