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 Saturday 2:00pm* Sunday 10:30am & 2:00pm *2pm Mass 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 July17– TheSixteenthSunday ofOrdinaryTime 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: 2 Prospect Hill Rd, Stockbridge, MA) Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC: Rector Fr. Robert Vennetti, 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. Anthony Gramlich, MIC Shrine Rector
Pope Francis said on Saturday that "we must ask for the grace to cry" with Our Lady for the lives destroyed by the Ukraine war and the other miseries of our time, like "the children discarded before they are even born.” Pope Francis underlined that the war is “destroying not only Ukraine,” but it is destroying “all the nations involved in the war.” “Because war not only destroys the people who are defeated, no, it also destroys the victor … War destroys everyone,” he said in Paul VI Hall. “We have entrusted our prayer to the Immaculate Heart, and we are certain that our Mother has accepted it and intercedes for peace because she is the Queen of Peace,” the pope added. Once, after an adoration for our country, a pain pierced my soul, and I began to pray in this way: “Most merciful Jesus, I beseech You through the intercession of Your Saints, and especially the intercession of Your dearest Mother who nurtured You from childhood, bless my native land. I beg You, Jesus, look not on our sins, but on the tears of little children, on the hunger and cold they suffer. Jesus, for the sake of these innocent ones, grant me the grace that I am asking of You for my country.” At that moment, I saw the Lord Jesus, His eyes filled with tears, and He said to me, You see, My daughter, what great compassion I have for them. Know that it is they who uphold the world. From the Diary of St. Faustina passage 286 peace Excerpt from: www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251046/pope-francis-god-is-weeping-for-the-victims-of-the-ukraine-war Picture from:www.marian.org In the Words of Pope Francis pray for
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 Events 40 Hours Devotion: August 4-7 All Day Saint Stanislaus Basilica 566 Front Street Chicopee, MA 01030 For more information please visit: https://www.yearoftheeucharist.net/
12 3 5 From the Diary of St. Faustina Diary 471, 472, 1020, 278 Prophet for Our Times 1 Conversation of the Merciful God with a Soul Striving after Perfection. Jesus: I am pleased with your efforts, O soul aspiring for perfection, but why do I see you so often sad and depressed? Tell Me, My child, what is the meaning of this sadness, and what is its cause? Soul: Lord, the reason for my sadness is that, in spite of my sincere resolutions, I fall again into the same faults. I make resolutions in the morning, but in the evening I see how much I have departed from them. Jesus: You see, My child, what you are of yourself. The cause of your falls is that you rely too much upon yourself and too little on Me. But let this not sadden you so much. You are dealing with the God of mercy, which your misery cannot exhaust. Remember, I did not allot only a certain number of pardons. Soul: Yes, I know all that, but great temptations assail me, and various doubts awaken within me and, moreover, everything irritates and discourages me. Jesus: My child, know that the greatest obstacles to holiness are discouragement and an exaggerated anxiety. These will deprive you of the ability to practice virtue. All temptations united together ought not disturb your interior peace, not even momentarily. Sensitiveness and discouragement are the fruits of self-love. You should not become discouraged, but strive to make My love reign in place of your self -love. Have confidence, My child. Do not lose heart in coming for pardon, for I am always ready to forgive you. As often as you beg for it, you glorify My mercy. Soul: I understand what is the better thing to do, what pleases You more, but I encounter great obstacles in acting on this understanding. Jesus: My child, life on earth is a struggle indeed; a great struggle for My kingdom. But fear not, because you are not alone. I am always supporting you, so lean on Me as you struggle, fearing nothing. Take the vessel of trust and draw from the fountain of life — for yourself, but also for other souls, especially such as are distrustful of My goodness. 29 63 "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her." Lk 10:41-42
4 4 72 Donations for Ukraine: www.marian.org/ukraine/ or call 800-462-7426 In the wake of the Russian invasion, your support will help our Marians in Ukraine as they struggle to survive and maintain their ministry, needed now more than ever. We have 22 Marians in Ukraine; their house in Kharkiv was bombed. More than 2 million refugees have fled. Our Marian houses across the border in Poland are assisting refugees. 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 donation goes directly to those in need Through our Marian priests in Ukraine and Poland. Yes, I want ToHelp! 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. Soul: O Lord, I feel my heart being filled with Your love and the rays of Your mercy and love piercing my soul. I go, Lord, at Your command. I go to conquer souls. Sustained by Your grace, I am ready to follow You, Lord, not only to Tabor, but also to Calvary. I desire to lead souls to the fount of Your mercy so that the splendor of Your mercy may be reflected in all souls, and the home of our Father be filled to overflowing. And when the enemy begins to attack me, I shall take refuge behind the shield of Your mercy. 3 In the fundamental meditation about the goal; that is, of choosing love: the soul must love; it has need of loving. The soul must divert the stream of its love, but not into the mud or into a vacuum, but into God. How I rejoice when I reflect on this, for I feel clearly that He himself is in my heart. Just Jesus alone! I love creatures insofar as they help me to become united with God. I love all people because I see the image of God in them. Diary 1488, 373 https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/prophet-our-times May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.
Shrine Bulletin Board Livestream Series Saturdays at 11:00am with Fr. Chris Alar, MIC To watch please go to: www.thedivinemercy.org We are hiring! 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 Be a part of theMarian Family! Receive graces from doing deeds of Mercy. Please volunteer if you are able. See our website to sign up, or contact our Volunteer Office at 413-298-1114 Things to Note: Blessed Oil of St. Faustina 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. The Diary of St. Faustina 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
Father Anthony N. Nockunas, MIC 1931-2016 country invaded first by the Russians in 1939, then by the Nazis in 1940, and finally by the Russians in 1944, who not only occupied the country, but initiated a wave of repressions, persecutions and exile. Fr. Anthony escaped the occupation and entered the Marian Congregation. He professed his first vows on August 15, 1950, final vows in 1953, and was ordained a priest in 1957. Father Anthony N. Nockunas, MIC, fortified by the Sacraments of the Church, peacefully passed away February 27, 2016, at the Matulaitis Nursing Home in in Putnam, Conn., in the 85th year of his life, 66th year of his religious profession, and 58th of his priesthood. He was born on June 10, 1931, in Lithuania. He was -one of eight children and grew up on a farm. In his childhood he experienced the Second World War. He saw his https://padrimariani.org/en/2016/02/27/anthony-nockunas-passed-away/ His first assignment was to teach French at the Marianapolis Preparatory School, in Thompson, Conn. Then he spent many years as an associate pastor in Kenosha, Wisc., Plano, Ill. Darien, Ill., Worcester, Mass., and in Argentina. He spent several years at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, in Stockbridge, Mass., where he celebrated Masses and heard confessions in several languages. Finally, he was assigned to the Marian House in Thompson, Conn., where he continued to hear confessions and offered pastoral care to the sick and the dying. Fr. Anthony served the community in many capacities. Besides his priestly duties, Fr. Anthony was a teacher, a member of the provincial council and its secretary, and, a member of the Board of Directors at the Draugas Lithuanian Catholic Press Society. Fr. Anthony had a great devotion to Our Immaculate Mother and to St. Joseph, the patron saint of a happy death, whom he invoked frequently for the dying. Always attentive to the spiritual needs of the faithful, Fr. Anthony was a generous dispenser of Christ’s love and mercy, especially as a confessor and spiritual guide. The following is an interview Fr. Nockunas gave to Dan Valenti in 2009 on St. Joseph: Salute to a ‘Silent Saint’, for whom Fr. Nockunas had a particular devotion. How did your devotion to St. Joseph begin? As a boy, but my devotion to Mary was stronger. I grew up on a farm in Lithuania, one of eight children. I didn't have specific ideas about religious life, but the Lord had a plan. My mother was a devout Catholic, more than my father, who had to work the farm. Lithuania suffered from great atrocities. The Russians occupied the country until the Germans invaded in 1940 and threw the Communists out in 1944, the Russians drove out Germany. I witnessed gunfire between the two armies in a battle near our farm. The Germans used the farm as a field hospital. proverbial wise elder who has used his varied life experiences for the good of God and to serve man. Father Anthony ("Tony") Nockunas, MIC, has been a member of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception since 1949. Father Tony, 80, has served the Marians in many assignments over the years. Presently, he lives and works on Eden Hill, where he ministers to pilgrims. Father Tony is the
: O At what point did your faith life include a priestly vocation? Later. I left Lithuania in 1944, when I was about 16. That year I went to stay with my aunt's family in Germany. I stayed through April 1945. It was a rough life, but we had enough to survive. I think because of the impermanence resulting from the war, I started paying attention to the things that last. That's when my vocation began, although I still didn't know it. High school is when my spirituality began to develop. Is that when St. Joseph came into the picture? Yes. Gradually, as I desired to serve God as a priest, I became attracted to St. Joseph and the mission God gave him. Joseph's call came directly from God, as I sensed about my calling. The Scriptures tell us St. Joseph was thinking about divorce. In doing so, Joseph wasn't thinking of himself. He was thinking about God and Mary. When he learned Mary was pregnant not by him, Joseph didn't want to offend God, and he didn't want to hold Mary up for insult and ridicule. He thought the honorable solution was divorce. But then Joseph had a dream that came from God, and he believed God. Joseph said "yes." I learned from this and also said "yes." How else did St. Joseph influence you? I've admired St. Joseph for his industriousness as a faithful provider of his family. He worked as a carpenter, and in private revelation, we learn about his goodness, for example, not charging for work if someone had no money. My devotion to St. Joseph made progress when I became a student at a seminary in Rome. At that time, I joined a confraternity that prayed for those who were dying. This brought me into a greater relationship with St. Joseph, because he is the patron saint of a happy death. Why is he patron of the dying? He had Jesus and Mary at his side when he died! What could be better? [Father Tony Laughs.] Scripture does not mention Joseph's death, but tradition and inference hold that he died before Jesus and Mary. The Gospels contain several references by others to Jesus' relatives and mother, where these people make no mention of Joseph. He only appears during the childhood of Jesus. Did helping the dying appeal to you on an emotional level? That's a good way of saying it. In the seminary, I learned to pray in Latin and began praying regularly to St. Joseph, true spouse of Mary and foster father to Jesus. My prayer included a request for intercession on behalf of those who would be dying on that particular day or night. Almost 60 years later, I still pray this way and each year offer a Mass for the dying. The Gospels don't say much about Joseph. Why? It's true. Saint Joseph is one of the "silent saints." He doesn't utter a word in the Bible. I think he was a quiet man. He had an inner strength that comes from great faith. We know of his deep faith because of the way he could discern and trust the voice of God, who spoke to him in dreams. He knew Jesus was special because the angel told him in a dream that the boy was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph believed this. What other qualities do you see in St. Joseph? Saint Joseph lived his spirituality. He was a workingman and provided for Mary and Jesus. He also remained open to God's instruction, listened to the Old Testament prophets, and prayed the Psalms. I have no doubt he was industrious, fair, and good. He's the patron saint of workers. He seems a courageous man. I agree. When I counsel people with family problems, I recommend they pray to St. Joseph. The same with refugees. When I worked as a parish priest in Plano, IL, we had many Hispanics who had left their countries and who needed help. I would refer them to St. Joseph, because he, too, was a refugee. He took Jesus and Mary [out of Judea and] into Egypt to escape danger. That took great courage. I think I know, because I myself am a refugee from communism. Is there anything else to add? One last thing to remember about our devotion to this special saint. Sometimes when we think of the Holy Family, St. Joseph gets forgotten. Everyone would profit greatly by including St. Joseph in daily prayer. https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/salute-silent-saint
P R A Y E R From the moment of our existence we possess a God-given and changeless dignity. The Church opposes the view that human life can become a meaningless and useless burden fit only for death. For more information please go to: www. macatholic.org/news-article/learn-more-about-pas Information from: www. macatholic.org "Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being."56 “...since 1973, more than 60 million unborn children have been aborted. Each year in this country, about 900,000 more are added to that list. Yet even if it [Roe v. Wade] were overturned, even if every state in the union ended up outlawing abortion for any reason at any time (which is doubtful), we know that abortion, somehow or another, would continue to exist in this fallen world. Though we can and should hope, pray, vote, and advocate for an end to legalized abortion, we must focus on what we can do here and now in our own communities. We need to double up our efforts on changing hearts and minds, one at a time, to understand the inherent dignity of unborn life.” excerpt from How to Be Pro-Life by Marc Massery. www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/howbe-pro-life How to be Pro-Life SayNOtoPhysicianAssistedSuicideinMassachusetts LetyourvoicebeheardNow! The Massachusetts State Legislature is considering passing into law two deeply troubling bills this session which would legalize Physician Assisted Suicide. The bills, House 2381 and Senate 1384, are identical in text and titled “An Act relative to end of life options”. “The Catholic Bishops of Massachusetts stand untied in our strong opposition to Physician Assisted Suicide. It is an affront to life and a dangerous precedent for determining end of life issues. Physicians are trained to care for the ill, not to hasten death.” How can your voice be heard? Call or email you legislators, let them know you are a Massachusetts voter, and say NO to Physician Assisted Suicide! Log on to www.macatholic.org and follow the links to find contact For individuals without internet access, please call the Massachusetts Catholic Conference at 617746-5630 for legislative contact information.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==