Marian Helper • SuMMer 2024 • Marian.org 9 Not even an April snowfall, an East Coast earthquake, or cold blustery weather could deter 15,000 faithful from making the journey to Eden Hill for the celebration of Divine Mercy Weekend, April 6-7 at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. “We’re in the middle of four beautiful days!” proclaimed the Very Rev. Chris Alar, MIC, provincial superior, during the live EWTN pre-show on April 7 with the Most Rev. Joe Roesch, MIC, superior general. “We had First Friday and First Saturday. Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. And tomorrow is the Solemnity of the Annunciation — and an eclipse! What a blessing!” Pilgrims arriving on Saturday were treated to the annual Mercy Weekend Conference. This year’s speakers, under the theme “Godly Fathers Strengthen Families,” were Marian vocation director and author Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, and Jim Wahlberg, producer of the new documentary Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist (in theaters June 4-6). Tent city Throughout the weekend, the 350-acre Shrine grounds were transformed into a tent city, providing opportunities for Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, praying the Rosary, and perusing the Divine Mercy Gift Shop. A dedicated team of Marian priests, brothers and seminarians, lay employees, and volunteers — 500 in total — provided a safe and serene atmosphere for pilgrims eager to obtain the extraordinary graces promised on this feast. Masses were celebrated outdoors at the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine. The celebrant of the Vigil Mass was Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC, National Shrine rector, and on Divine Mercy Sunday, His Excellency, the Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio, JCD, Archbishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, U.S.A., and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Next year, Fr. Tomeny will join the archdiocese as a Navy chaplain. The Divine Mercy Sunday Liturgy was broadcast live on EWTN. The lively and informative hour-long pre-show discussed the Eucharist and Spiritual Fatherhood with five guests: Archbishop Broglio, Fr. Calloway, Wahlberg, former NFL quarterback and inspirational speaker Elvis Grbac, and NFL assistant coach Ben Steele. Warm light Despite the cold, the atmosphere atop Eden Hill was joyous (as shown on the following pages), and pilgrims departed for destinations as far away as California and Canada with renewed faith and hope in the promise of God’s loving mercy. “Through the divine fire that pours forth from the side of Christ, the rays of Divine Mercy that represent the Blood and Water by which we are washed clean of our sins and sanctified, Jesus opens every locked door and sets all captives free,” said Fr. Andy Davy, MIC, in his homily for the Vigil Mass. “As the missionaries of mercy go forth, the world becomes more warm and more filled with mercy, and you become a light. You become an extension of that bridge of the rays of Divine Mercy.” Watch the Divine Mercy Sunday pre-show and Liturgy on the Marian Fathers’ dedicated streaming site, DivineMercyPlus.org, and on YouTube (Divine Mercy). Divine MercY WeeKenD ‘The world becomes more warm’ Divine Mercy Sunday resources
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