158 As a token of an abundance of Divine Blessings, upon You, Your Marian Associates, Helpers and Benefactors, I impart My Most Heartfelt Apostolic Blessing! Joannes Paulus II From the Vatican: October 5, 2001 Memorial of St. M. Faustina Kowalska Authentic Guidance in the Service of the Church The Marians’ longstanding and unswerving witness to the authenticity of the Lord’s revelation of The Divine Mercy message to St. Faustina and their dedication to the faithful transmission of the Message in its totality and purity have given the Marians the stature of faithful interpreters of the authentic message especially in the eyes of many local ordinaries in various parts of the world. Thus, many individuals, centers and groups, by way of a recommendation from their local bishop, seek our advice and opinion in matters that pertain to the Divine Mercy theology, spirituality and pastoral practice. The Marians have responded for years in both formal and informal ways. Parish Resource Book for Celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday Celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday in Your Parish is a special parish resource, prepared for the Archdiocese of Newark by the Offi ce of Evangelization. It provides theological, pastoral and liturgical materials for the proper and enriching celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday. Other Forms of Promotion of the Salutary Message of Mercy: World Apostolic Congress on Mercy and Pope Benedict XVI—the Mercy Pope The fi rst World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (WACOM), held in Rome on April 2-6, 2008, defi nitely bears the stamp of Pope Benedict XVI. He blessed and encouraged this new initiative in the life of the Church which was inspired by Pope John Paul II’s Divine Mercy legacy. In key remarks only days before the Congress, Pope Benedict XVI set the table for the celebration of God’s mercy. Most importantly, at the opening and closing of the World Mercy Congress, Pope Benedict XVI was front and center, opening the Congress with Holy Mass which
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==