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 July24– TheSeventeenthSunday 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 + Jesus came to the main entrance today, under the guise of a poor young man. This young man, emaciated, barefoot and bareheaded, and with his clothes in tatters, was frozen because the day was cold and rainy. He asked for something hot to eat. So I went to the kitchen, but found nothing there for the poor. But, after searching around for some time, I succeeded in finding some soup, which I reheated and into which I crumbled some bread, and I gave it to the poor young man, who ate it. As I was taking the bowl from him, he gave me to know that He was the Lord of heaven and earth. When I saw Him as He was, He vanished from my sight. When I went back in and reflected on what had happened at the gate, I heard these words in my soul: My daughter, the blessings of the poor who bless Me as they leave this gate have reached My ears. And your compassion, wi thin the bounds of obedience, has pleased Me, and this is why I came down from My throne — to taste the frui ts of your mercy. 13 O my Jesus, now everything is clear to me, and I understand all that has just happened. I somehow felt and asked myself what sort of a poor man is this who radiates such modesty. From that moment on, there was stirred up in my heart an even purer love toward the poor and the needy. Oh, how happy I am that my superiors have given me such a task! I understand that mercy is manifold; one can do good always and everywhere and at all times. An ardent love of God sees all around itself constant opportunities to share itself through deed, word and prayer. Now I understand the words which You spoke to me, O Lord, some time ago. 16 October 1, 1937. Daughter, I need sacr i f ice lovingly accompl ished, because that alone has meaning for Me. Enormous indeed are the debts of the wor ld which are due to Me; pure souls can pay them by their sacr i f ice, exercising mercy in spir i t . 17 I understand Your words, Lord, and the magnitude of the mercy that ought to shine in my soul. Jesus: I know, My daughter , that you understand i t and that you do everything wi thin your power . But wr i te this for the many souls who are often worr ied because they do not have the mater ial means wi th which to carry out an act of mercy. Yet spir i tual mercy, which requires nei ther permissions nor storehouses, is much more mer i tor ious and is wi thin the grasp of every soul . I f a soul does not exercise mercy somehow or other, i t wi l l not obtain My mercy on the day of judgment . Oh, i f only souls knew how to gather eternal treasure for themselves, they would not be judged, for they would forestal l My judgment wi th their mercy. Sacrifice, Love and Mercy
4 4 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. 86 O my Jesus, farewell; I must go already to take up my tasks. But I will prove my love for You with sacrifice, neither neglecting nor letting any chance for practicing it slip by.” When I left the chapel, Mother Superior [Irene] said to me, “You will not go to the catechetical lecture, Sister, but will remain on duty.” Very well, Jesus; I thus had, throughout the day, very many opportunities for sacrifice. I omitted none, owing to the strength of spirit I drew from Holy Communion. 57 O Jesus, keep me in holy fear, so that I may not waste graces. Help me to be faithful to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. Grant that my heart may burst for love of You, rather than I should neglect even one act of love for You. Diary 1312-1313, 1316-1317, 1385, 1557 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
On April 2, 1955, Jesus smiled on a just-born infant to greet his first breath of life, taken in Wilbraham, Mass. On Oct. 19, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. on Eden Hill, Stockbridge, Mass., after Mother Mary washed every Rosary with her tears, Jesus smiled again when He took that life back, reborn, this time, into eternal life. The infant had grown into a man. And the man had done well. Her 'maternal sol i tude' When Fr. Mark Garrow, MIC, assumed leadership of the newly named Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy Province, he wrote a letter to his Marian brothers, dated Nov. 15, 2006. His first words were, "Salve Regina, Mater Misericoridae." In using the words of the ancient antiphon, Fr. Mark, who died Oct. 19 at the age of 52 following a long illness, highlighted the significance of Mary and Jesus to the Congregation of Marians. No, he wasn't stating the obvious. He was stating the necessary by setting the tone required for a radical response to Jesus' summation of the law: Love God above all things, and love your neighbor as yourself. In the letter, Fr. Mark didn't preach to the choir. He went to the heart and soul, the very core, of the Marians' mission: to do all - every thought, desire, word, action, and omission - only with the help of Mary's prayers and her "maternal solitude." Father Mark emphasized the Blessed Mother's role as "a model for our consecrated life" and urged his brothers "to imitate her in opening ourselves completely to the gift of God's Mercy in Christ." He then invited them "to follow her example in doing all that we can to bring that Mercy to others." 'The honor of a l i fet ime' Father Mark lived delivering God's mercy, and he died surrendering to that same mercy, the Ego sum Vita ("I am the Life") that we will only see as He really is when we die. Father Mark's surrender involved taking up a ferocious cross without complaint and with great humility. He met the staggering suffering caused by tongue cancer straight on, and every caregiver who looked after him in the final months remarked on this great witness. "It was the honor of a lifetime to take care of Fr. Mark," said Judy Ryan, one of his nurses. Divine Mercy, Natural and Easy Father Mark served mankind as a bearer of mercy not because he found it difficult. He did it because he found it natural and easy. Just as in his pubic ministry he tended to the spiritual needs of countless people, in his Marian ministry he also answered the call, for example, when his superiors wanted to put his intelligence and judgment to administrative use. Father Mark served the Marians as novice master, local Superior, General Councilor, Superior General, Prefect of Formation, and, for this past year, Provincial Superior. Fr. Mark Garrow, MIC 1955-2007 "If I just place mysel f , the best I can, at God's disposal , fruitfulness wi l l come from God and my weakness serves that purpose. . . . Even weakness can point to God. "
: O A Tireless Commi tment to Serve Others One constant in Fr. Mark Garrow's priesthood, as in most priests, was his tireless commitment to serve others. To the day he took his last breath, he served in witness as a witness. At the dawning of his priestly life, service was much on his mind: In my ministering to other people, I am going to be, for better or worse, one of their contact points for God. So whatever I do or don't do is going to affect their relationship to God in some way. It's a humbling experience, and it scares me. But I remember something Bishop [Leo] O'Neil said to us before we were ordained. He said, "Are you weak enough to be a priest?" That sort of floored me at first. But then I realized what he meant. I have to recognize my weaknesses and realize that I can't be a superpriest. I can't [fix] every problem that comes in. But despite my weakness, despite my inability sometimes to help people, if I just place myself, the best I can, at God's disposal, fruitfulness will come from God, and my weakness serves that purpose. I'm not the source of whatever is going on in the ministry. Even weakness can point to God." When I'm trying to help someone, I can bring them to the Eucharist. I can bring all my other involvement to the salvation of the Eucharist. Somehow it can all become a part of that, given to God in a way I couldn't do. I can always rest assured, knowing that in the Eucharist I have brought whatever I've dealt with, whomever I've shared with. I can bring them all into the Eucharist and know that in some way, God is working in their lives. I may not be able to touch base with somebody, but I know that just being able to celebrate the Eucharist and bring them into it, that I can do that for them. So everything ... gets its real meaning for me in the Eucharist. 'Total surrender to God's wi l l ' Father Mark touched countless lives with his goodness. Father Kazimierz Chwalek, MIC, Marian Director of Evangelization and Development, knew Fr. Mark as well as anybody. “He was a gentle heart, very insightful and possessing a deep understanding of human relations. He cared for people with a genuine love. People in formation especially had a deep respect and love for him. He was also a conscientious and faithful priest, often a source of consolation and encouragement for both members of the community and the laity. He worked tirelessly for the good of the community, congregation wide, with a genuine love for different cultures and languages. For example, although he missed the United States when he was elected Superior General and lived in Rome, he quickly adjusted to the new environment, appreciating its unique charm. He had a special love for Mary, the Immaculate Conception. While still in the womb, he received extraordinary grace, as he was in danger of dying. Mary placed a special role in his life. He also had a great devotion to the Eucharist. Being a student during the turbulent years of our Church, when seminaries underwent various experimentations, he held close to the heart of the Church and remained faithful, not wishing to follow the path of experimentation in theology or liturgy.” This was Fr. Mark’s concept of the priesthood: an exercise in humble service, achieved mainly through the acceptance and utilization of his weakness. The Eucharist was a favorite topic of Fr. Mark:
“Father Mark did not resist the Providence of God in his life. He accepted it with faith, hope and charity. He bore it heroically and with tremendous courage and fortitude, and in so doing, he set forth a pattern for each of us, no matter how we’re called ultimately to give ourselves to God in this world and at the end of our lives.” Fr. Michael Callea, MIC The Letter The Very Rev. Jan M. Rokosz, MIC, succeeded Fr. Mark as Superior General. On July 7 [2007], with Fr. Mark in the midst of this lethal bout with cancer, Fr. Jan sent him the following letter: I really want to spend my time helping. I won’t have to worry about sleeping. I won’t have to worry about anything. I will be available!” Dear Fr. Mark: Greetings in Christ! Numerous Marians throughout the world have been asking that I convey to you on their behalf, our great affection for you and our spiritual closeness to you during this difficult time of trial for you. I willingly do this from the heart, since I think of you and pray for you every day. Many of our confreres remember you because you have touched their lives, especially in your capacity as Superior General from 1999-2005. Please know that your witness, throughout your religious life but especially now during your time of suffering, is cherished and appreciated. The difficult path that the Lord has set out for you is one that you must walk alone. However, know that we are united in spirit with you, and with all the Marians and associates who are assisting you on this path. You are not forgotten; rather, we feel especially close to you now. I will always treasure the opportunity we had recently to pray together at the Shrine in Lourdes. We were united in spirit with our Immaculate Mother and with our soon-to-be beatified Founder, Fr. Stanislaus Papczynski, along with all the Marians who have gone before us. Thank you, Fr. Mark, for you great witness, and for the love you have shown. We continue to pray for your complete healing and recovery. Your gift of self is bearing great fruit for the Congregation. Please be assured of our prayers and love for you always. Sincerely yours in Christ, Very Rev. Jan M. Rokosz, MIC Superior General Fr. Mark Garrow – PRAY FOR US! Excerpts taken from: www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/father-mark-garrow-mic-1955-2007 Image from:www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/gentle-generous-humble It came as no surprise to anyone at his wake to learn of one of Fr. Mark’s dying wishes. He shared it with Fr. Kaz [Chwalek] about four months ago, when he realized he would probably soon die. He told Fr. Kaz that one of the things he planned to ask the Lord was for permission in heaven to continue his work on behalf of the Marians and the people in his life. .
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.
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