. 1 • National Shrine of The Divine Mercy Dear Pilgrims, We welcome you to the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. Please join us for any upcoming events at the Shrine along with doing a personal pilgrimage during this year. Feel free to visit our Gift Shop and stroll our beautiful grounds during your visit here. May God bless you. Livestream from the National Shrine Daily Devotions Daily Mass 9:00am Chaplet of Divine Mercy 3:00pm Rosary for Life 5:00pm Find us on: Divine Mercy (Official) Divine Mercy Videos posted on our Website daily: shrineofdivinemercy.org Monday- Saturday 9:00am and 2:00pm Sunday 9:00am, 10:30am & 2:00pm A Ministry of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary National Shrine of The Divine Mercy PO Box 951 2 Prospect Hill Road Stockbridge, MA 01262 (GPS: 11 Pine Street, Stockbridge, MA) Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC: Rector Fr. Robert Vennetti, MIC: Vice Rector Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC: Vice Rector Shrine Reception: 413-298-3931 Bus Pilgrimages: 413-298-1119 Gift Shop: 888-484-1112 National Shrine: www.shrineofdivinemercy.org Divine Mercy: www.thedivinemercy.org Marians: www.marian.org Please check our website for the most up-to-date information on our Monday-Friday Mass and Devotions schedule. Sincerely in Jesus and Mary Immaculate, Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC Shrine Rector Please note: 2pmMass on Saturday does NOT fulfill Sunday obligation Confessions Available Monday thru Friday 1:00pm - 2:00pm Saturdays and Sundays 1:00pm – 2:00pm 3:30pm – 4:15pm Daily Public Mass Schedule Dec 18- Fourth Sunday of Advent
[A man has “Be surprised by God’s mercy…” Pope Francis Advent is, he continued, “a time in which, preparing the nativity display for the Infant Jesus, we learn again who our Lord is, who he is; [it is] a time to leave behind certain mindsets and prejudices about God and our brothers and sisters; a time in which, instead of thinking about gifts for ourselves, we can give words and gestures of consolation to those who are wounded, as Jesus did with the blind, the deaf, and the lame.” The season of Advent is a time to let ourselves be surprised by God’s mercy and compassion, Pope Francis said on Gaudete Sunday. “Advent, then, is a time for overturning our perspectives … for letting ourselves be surprised by the greatness of God’s mercy,” the pope said Dec. 11. Excerpt from article: Be surprised by God’s mercy this Advent on Catholic News Agency: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253047/pope-francis-be-surprised-by-god-s-mercy-this-advent Image Pope Francis: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/top-10-mercy-quotes-pope-francis Image Advent Candles: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/divine-mercy-videos?source=dm&page=61 The Sunday, which marks roughly halfway through the season preceding Christmas, is also known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for “rejoice.” In his message, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel for the Third Sunday of Advent, which recalls when John the Baptist was in prison and heard about the good works Jesus Christ was performing. St. John the Baptist “imagined a stern Messiah who would come and do justice with power by chastising sinners,” the pope explained. “Now, on the contrary, Jesus has words and gestures of compassion towards all.” Wracked with doubt, John sent his followers to ask Jesus if he really was the Messiah, or if he was just another prophet It could surprise us to know that the man who baptized Jesus and called him the Lamb of God experienced this uncertainty, Francis said, noting that “even the greatest believer goes through the tunnel of doubt.”. An Advent Message from “And this is not a bad thing; on the contrary, sometimes it is essential for spiritual growth: it helps us understand that God is always greater than we imagine him to be,” he said. Jesus’ “works are surprising compared to our calculations; his actions are always different, they exceed our needs and expectations; and therefore we must never stop seeking him and converting to his true face.” The pope pointed to a quote from the French theologian Henri de Lubac, who said God “needs to be rediscovered in stages ... sometimes believing that we are losing him.” This is what John the Baptist did, Pope Francis said: “In doubt, he still seeks him, questions him, ‘argues’ with him and finally rediscovers him.” “We too at times find ourselves in his situation, in an inner jail, unable to recognize the newness of the Lord, whom we perhaps hold captive in the presumption that we already know everything about him,” he said. “Brothers and sisters, we never know everything about him.” “May Our Lady take us by the hand, like mom, in these days of preparation for Christmas, and help us recognize in the smallness of the infant, the greatness of God who is coming.”
Lenten Regulations 028 D Year of The Eucharist In a recent study, it was found that only 30% of Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Jesus. We’re in crisis mode. They’re missing not just the reality of Jesus in their lives, but something transformative, powerful, and beautiful. This Year of the Eucharist is an opportunity for revival. Bishop William Byrne Bishop of The Diocese of Springfield, MA For more information about Events please visit: https://www.yearoftheeucharist.net/
12 5 Diary 471, 472, 1020, 278 May You be adored, O merciful God of ours, O All-powerful Lord and Creator. In deepest humility, we give You praise, Plunging ourselves into the ocean of Your Godhead. But man did not persevere In the hour of trial. At the instigation of the evil one, he became unfaithful to You. He lost Your grace and gifts; only misery was left him, And tears, suffering, sorrow and bitterness, until he would rest in the grave. But you, O merciful God, did not let humanity perish, And gave it the promise of a Redeemer. You did not let us despair, despite our grave offenses, And You sent Your prophets to Israel. Still, day and night, mankind cries out to You, From the abyss of misery, sin and all pain. Hear the moaning and the tears, You who reign in heaven, God of great mercy, God of compassion. Man erred, but he cannot ask pardon, Because a gaping chasm has appeared “…I am waiting for the Lord’s Coming.” between God and man. With the voice of his misery, he cries out, “Mercy!” But Yahweh is silent... and century after century passes on. But the longing of all humankind grows deeper. A longing for Him who has been promised. Come, Lamb of God, take away our vile sins, Come, illumine our darkness like a ray of light. Humanity calls out to You unceasingly, O Lord of lords, Calls out to Your unfathomable mercy, to Your compassion. O great Yahweh, grant that we may make atonement, Remember Your goodness, and forgive us our sins. Be adored, O God of mercy, Because You have deigned to descend from heaven to earth. Most humbly we adore You For Your having vouchsafed to exalt all mankind. Unfathomable and incomprehensible In Your mercy, From the Diary of Saint Faustina
3 3 72 Diary 1744, 1746, Excerpt 792, 793 To get your copy of the Diary of St. Faustina please go to: www.divinemercygiftshop.org or call 888-484-1112 For love of us You take on flesh From the Immaculate Virgin, ever untouched by sin, Because You have willed it so from all ages. The Blessed Virgin, that Snow-White Lily, Is first to praise the omnipotence of Your mercy. Her pure heart opens with love for the coming of the Word; She believes the words of God’s messenger and is confirmed in trust. Heaven is astounded that God has become man, That there is on earth a heart worthy of God Himself. Why is it that You do not unite Yourself with a Seraph, but with a sinner, O Lord? Oh, because, despite the purity of the virginal womb, this is a mystery of Your mercy. O mystery of God’s mercy, O God of compassion, That You have deigned to leave the heavenly throne And to stoop down to our misery, to human weakness, For it is not the angels, But man who needs mercy. To give worthy praise to the Lord’s mercy, We unite ourselves with Your Immaculate Mother, For then our hymn will be more pleasing to You, Because She is chosen from among men and angels. Through Her, as through a pure crystal, Your mercy was passed on to us. Through Her, man became pleasing to God; Through Her, streams of grace flowed down upon us. I will spend this Advent in accordance with the directions of the Mother of God: in meekness and humility. 793 I am reliving these moments with Our Lady. With great longing, I am waiting for the Lord’s coming. Great are my desires. I desire that all humankind come to know the Lord. I would like to prepare all nations for the coming of the Word Incarnate. O Jesus, make the fount of Your mercy gush forth more abundantly, for humankind is seriously ill and thus has more need than ever of Your compassion. You are a bottomless sea of mercy for us sinners; and the greater the misery, the more right we have to Your mercy. You are a fount which makes all creatures happy by Your infinite mercy
Shrine Bulletin Board Saturday Morning Talks Explaining the Faith Saturdays at 11:00am To watch via Livestream please go to: www.thedivinemercy.org M The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy is hiring for the following: Part-time Weekend Receptionist If you are interested, please call Human Resources at 413-298-3931 x140 Or send your resume to: [email protected] National Shrine of The Divine Mercy Human Resource Director PO Box 951 Stockbridge, MA 01262 We are hiring! Are you a Musician? The Mother of Divine Mercy Charismatic Prayer Group is looking for your help! We meet each Thursday of the month If interested please contact Paul Nnodim 617-784-0957 [email protected] Things to Note: Oil blessed in honor of St. Faustina is available at the Shrine Reception desk. A suggested donation of $5.00 which would go to help support Shrine Ministries. Copies of the Diary are sold in our Gift Shop located next to the main parking lot, or online: The Gift Shop is open daily 10:00am – 4:00pm https://divinemercygift shop.org/ Blessed Oil of St. Faustina The Diary of St. Faustina
Donations for Ukraine: www.marian.org/ukraine/ or call 800-462-7426 We continue to need your prayers and support to help our Marians in Ukraine as they struggle to survive and rebuild, and to support the many refugees they assist with humanitarian and medical aid, both in Ukraine and in Poland. 100 percent of your doation goes directly to those in need through our Marian priests in Ukraine and Poland. The Marian Fathers invite you to unite in prayer and continue to pray the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet for peace and end to war in Ukraine. Yes, I want To Help!
O . ©2021 by United State Conference of Catholic Bishops T To ENROLL a loved one, please follow the link: In the Hail Mary, we regularly address the "Mother of God." Mary gained this title by being the Theotokos — literally, "God bearer." The title "Mother of God" does not divinize Mary, but draws attention to the dual nature of Christ — truly God and truly human. The title also reminds us of her special role in bringing Christ to the world. Mary was petitioned as "Mother of God" at least by the 3rd Century, as is evidenced by the discovery of the Sub Tuum prayer: We fly to your protection O holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions in our necessities but deliver us from all dangers, ever glorious and blessed Virgin. www.shrineofdivinemercy.org/ novenas/mother-god-novena December 23-31
During the past week we've kept vigil at the side of Mary, accompanying her and Joseph to Bethlehem. With every step, our expectation and desire grow. He's coming! The Messiah! We watch for recognition in the faces of those whom we pass on the way. Here He is - the Christ! But no one seems to notice. They don't even look at Mary and Joseph, and those who only glance at them dismiss them just as quickly. As Mary and Joseph are turned away from the inn, we stand there in disbelief. What? Can't the innkeeper see this is the Mother of God? That she carries our Savior? Without complaint, Mary and Joseph prepare the stable for Jesus' coming. We run to help them, and as we help we complain to Mary about the blindness of others, that they didn't even notice that Jesus is here. She begins to tell us about the hidden Christ, Christ hidden in each of us, Christ hidden in her womb, Christ hidden in the Eucharist. Ah, how often we fail to recognize Christ in others. What pierces our hearts more, though, is when we realize how often we fail to recognize Christ in the Eucharist! Christ fully present, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist. And how many times do we receive Him while our minds and hearts are occupied by thoughts about bills, work, or what we're going to do later in the day? Christ hungers for us. He calls to us each time He comes in the Eucharist. Our hearts begin to burn with an even greater desire for the coming of Jesus - especially in the Eucharist. We say with St. Faustina, "Today, I prepare for the coming of the King. ... O my heart, are you aware of who is coming to you today?" (Diary of St. Faustina, 1810). We're little, broken, but let us ardently prepare to receive Him in the Eucharist. How? Let's start with an examination of conscience and then go to confession if we're conscious of any grave sin. Then, after reflecting on our unworthiness and observing the fast required by the Church, let us receive Jesus lovingly and reverently, "Jesus I love You. Jesus I love You. Jesus a thousand times, I love You! Thank you Jesus for coming to me. Thank you Jesus for the greatest Christmas gift - You!" This week, this fourth and final week of Advent, as Christmas fast approaches, let us continue our cry of expectation, "Come to me, Jesus, in the Eucharist. You who comfort me in my brokenness, You who heal my wounded heart!" Advent: Preparing to receive the hidden Christ: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/advent-preparing-receive-hidden-christ "Come, Lord Jesus, hidden in the womb of Mary!
In 1931, our Lord appeared to St. Faustina in a vision. She saw Jesus clothed in a white garment with His right hand raised in blessing. His left hand was touching His garment in the area of the Heart, from where two large rays came forth, one red and the other pale. She gazed intently at the Lord in silence, her soul filled with awe, but also with great joy. Jesus said to her: Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You. I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over [its] enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory (Diary, 47, 48). I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of mercy. That vessel is this image with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You (327). I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and [then] throughout the world (47). At the request of her spiritual director, St. Faustina asked the Lord about the meaning of the rays in the image. She heard these words in reply: The two rays denote Blood and Water. The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him (299). By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls. It is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works (742). These words indicate that the Image represents the graces of Divine Mercy poured out upon the world, especially through Baptism and the Eucharist. Many different versions of this image have been painted, but our Lord made it clear that the painting itself is not what is important. When St. Faustina first saw the original image that was being painted under her direction, she wept in disappointment and complained to Jesus: "Who will paint You as beautiful as You are?" (313). In answer, she heard these words: "Not in the beauty of the color, nor of the brush lies the greatness of this image, but in My grace" (313). From The Image of The Divine Mercy www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/image I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over [its] enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I myself will defend it as my own glory. (Diary 48)
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