2 Before returning to India, Bishop Chirayath went to visit the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The rector of the Shrine invited him to celebrate the Mass for pilgrims at 2 p.m. In his homily, the bishop shared with the congregation his experiences the last few days. They all were wonderstruck! Before the final blessing, the rector stood up and told the congregation that he has something to add to what the bishop said during the homily. He told the bishop that the day of his experience of the Divine Mercy was the feast of St. Faustina, something that he was unaware of until that moment. Soon after the bishop’s return to his diocese, the clergy held their annual retreat, which was directed by a Vincentian priest, who centered his conferences on the devotion to the Divine Mercy. The intensity of the visions caused the establishment of a Shrine on Nov. 9, 2007 in an existing small chapel in the village of Khajuria in the Diocese of Sagar. The Shrine was named Dayasagar, which means “Ocean of Mercy.” In the presence of all the priests and many sisters and faithful, Bishop Chirayath dedicated his diocese to the Divine Mercy. On the same day it was entrusted to the care of the Vincentian Fathers of Rewa Province in India. Attached to the Shrine is a Renewal Centre for all who desire to spend time in silence, prayer, adoration, and retreat. On July 15, 2008, three Adoration Sisters of Nirmal Rani Province started Perpetual Adoration in the Shrine chapel. Individuals and groups are coming regularly to pray at the feet of the Divine Mercy. Several miraculous healings have been reported. Special prayers are offered daily at the shrine for those who make requests. To accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims, Bishop Chirayath decided to build an outdoor Shrine. Initially the idea was to put up an eight-foot-tall statue of Jesus, the Divine Mercy, on top of an outdoor stage, but when Fr. Vincent Akkara went to Kerala in search of an artist who could make a statue, he met Pauly, an artist who suggested instead he make a 30-foot statue. When completed, it was actually 43 feet tall and India’s tallest statue of Jesus! The statue was blessed on Sept. 30, 2013, by Cardinal George Alencherry in the presence of 16 bishops and archbishops and more than 6,000 pilgrims of all faiths coming from India and abroad. Shrine From page 1 More than 20 years ago, EADM shipped an 18-foot, two-ton statue of Jesus, the Divine Mercy, to Rwanda. Later that year, I visited the statue (that’s me on the left). I will visit Rwanda in November to see how EADM can now assist the Marians in building a preschool. Please help us assist Fr. Darek, MIC, at the “Mother of Mercy Village” in Mindanao as he is finishing the Chapel. He needs a confessional and baptismal font; must furnish and complete an Adoration Chapel; and expand the trade school, to give hope to and assist the poor young adults who desire to go to college and break the cycle of poverty. He also needs help in continuing support for the medical and dental clinic. Help for the Philippines
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