1 • National Shrine of The Divine Mercy Dear Pilgrims, We welcome you to the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. During this time of pandemic confessions, and Masses available (with limited capacity) are available. Please feel free to visit our Gift Shop and walk our beautiful grounds during your visit here. May God bless you. Sincerely in Jesus and Mary Immaculate, Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC Shrine Rector Livestream from the National Shrine (not available to the public at this time) 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 Daily Public Mass Schedule Weekend Masses and Devotions will be held at the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine 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 * All candle shrines and outdoor Stations of The Cross are available to the public Please check our website for the most up-to-date information on our Monday-Friday Mass and Devotions schedule. May 15 – Fifth Sunday of Easter A Ministry of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary National Shrine of The Divine Mercy 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
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 From the Diary of St. Faustina 028 Great love can change small things into great ones, and it is only love which lends value to our actions. And the purer our love becomes, the less there will be within us for the flames of suffering to feed upon, and the suffering will cease to be a suffering for us; it will become a delight! By the grace of God, I have received such a disposition of heart that I am never so happy as when I suffer for Jesus, whom I love with every beat of my heart. Once when I was suffering greatly, I left my work and escaped to Jesus and asked Him to give me His strength. After a very short prayer I returned to my work filled with enthusiasm and joy. Then, one of the sisters [probably Sister Justine] said to me, “You must have many consolations today, Sister; you look so radiant. Surely, God is giving you no suffering, but only consolations.” “You are greatly mistaken, Sister,” I answered, “for it is precisely when I suffer much that my joy is greater; and when I suffer less, my joy also is less.” However, that soul was letting me recognize that she does not understand what I was saying. I tried to explain to her that when we suffer much we have a great chance to show God that we love Him; but when we suffer little we have less occasion to show God our love; and when we do not suffer at all, our love is then neither great nor pure. By the grace of God, we can attain a point where suffering will become a delight to us, for love can work such things in pure souls. And God has given me to understand that there is but one thing that is of infinite value in His eyes, and that is love of God; love, love and once again, love; and nothing can compare with a single act of pure love of God. Oh, with what inconceivable favors God gifts a soul that loves Him sincerely! Oh, how happy is the soul who already here on earth enjoys His special favors! And of such are the little and humble souls. At the feet of the Lord. Hidden Jesus, Eternal Love, our Source of Life, Divine Madman, in that You forget yourself and see only us. Before creating heaven and earth, You carried us in the depths of Your Heart. O Love, O depth of Your abasement, O mystery of happiness, why do so few people know You? Why is Your love not returned? O Divine Love, why do You hide Your beauty? O Infinite One beyond all understanding, the more I know You the less I comprehend You; but because I cannot comprehend You, I better comprehend Your greatness. I do not envy the Seraphim their fire, for I have a greater gift deposited in my heart. They admire You in rapture, but Your Blood mingles with mine. Love is heaven given us already here on earth. Oh, why do You hide in faith? Love tears away the veil. There is no veil before the eye of my soul, for You yourself have drawn me into the bosom of secret love forever. Praise and glory be to You, O Indivisible Trinity, One God, unto ages of ages! +O Eternal Love, I want all the souls You have created to come to know You. I would like to be a priest, for then I would speak without cease about Your mercy to sinful souls drowned in despair. I would like to be a missionary and carry the light of faith to savage nations in order to make You known to souls, and to be completely consumed for them and to die a martyr’s death, just as You died for them and for me. O Jesus, I know only too well that I can be a priest, a missionary, a preacher, and that I can die a martyr’s death by completely emptying myself and denying myself for love of You, O Jesus, and of immortal souls. Love Diary 302, 303, 778, 278
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Formorepro-liferesourcespleasevisit: www.respectlife.org How to Be Pro-Life "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/how-be-pro-life The Marian Fathers invite the faithful to unite in prayer and continue to pray the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet for peace and end to war in Ukraine. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war. Yes, I want To Help! 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. Donations for Ukraine: www.marian.org/ukraine/ or call 800-462-7426 How to be Pro-Life For more pro-life resources go to: www.respectlife.org
72 Events 40 Hours Devotion June 2nd-5th Our Lady of The Valley Parish Easthampton, MA Please visit the Diocese of Springfield’s website: www.yearoftheeucharist.net for more information 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 Year of The Eucharist Several times in her Diary, St. Faustina writes of seeing the red and pale rays coming, not from the Image, but from the Sacred Host; and once, as the priest exposed the Blessed Sacrament, she saw the rays from the Image pierce the Host and spread out from it all over the world (see 441). So too, with the eyes of faith, we should see in every Host the merciful Savior pouring Himself out as a fountain of mercy for us. This concept of the Eucharist as a fountain of grace and mercy is not only found in the Diary, but also in Church teaching. The Church clearly teaches that all the other sacraments are directed towards the Eucharist and draw their power from it. In the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, for example, we read: "Especially from the Eucharist, grace is poured forth upon us as from a fountain." And, in a note in the Catechism of the Council of Trent, pastors are urged to "compare the Eucharist to a fountain and the other sacraments to rivulets. For the Holy Eucharist is truly and necessarily to be called the fountain of all graces, containing, as it does, after an admirable manner, the fountain itself of celestial gifts and graces, and the Author of all the Sacraments, Christ Our Lord, from whom, as from its source, is derived whatever of goodness and perfection the other sacraments possess" (10). No wonder, then, that St. Faustina was so devoted to the Eucharist and wrote so powerfully about it in her Diary: "Oh what awesome mysteries take place during Mass! ... One day we will know what God is doing for us in eachMass, and what sort of gift He is preparing in it for us. Only His divine love could permit that such a gift be provided for us ... this fountain of life gushing forth with such sweetness and power" (914). "All the good that is in me is due to Holy Communion" (1392). "Herein lies the whole secret of my sanctity" (1489). "One thing alone sustains me and that is Holy Communion. From it I draw all my strength; in it is all my comfort. ... Jesus concealed in the Host is everything to me. ... I would not know how to give glory to God if I did not have the Eucharist in my heart" (1037). Excerpt from Eucharist: The Presence of Mercy: www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/eucharist-presence-mercy The Eucharist is central to devotion to The Divine Mercy, and many of the elements of the devotion are essentially Eucharistic - especially the Image, the Chaplet, and the Feast of Mercy. The Image, with its red and pale rays, represents the Eucharistic Lord Jesus, whose Heart has been pierced and now pours forth blood and water as a fountain of mercy for us. It is the Image of God's sacrificial gift of mercy made present in every Mass. In the Words of Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC
Shrine Bulletin Board 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 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 Volunteers We are looking for volunteers to help us to make this special weekend available. If you are able to volunteer, please see our Volunteer Page or contact us for more information!
Martyr Blessed Anthony Leszczewicz (1890-1943) From 1920, he worked in Harbin, Manchuria, in the Polish parish of St. Stanislaus. He taught religion and Latin in Russian and Polish schools. In 1924, he was appointed pastor of the new parish of St. Josaphat for the Poles. He saw to the construction of the church and rectory. He opened a day nursery and a school for poor children. He also assisted the needy. Leaving Harbin in 1937, he traveled via Tokyo and Rome, to Poland, where he entered the Congregation of Marians. After a year of novitiate, he made his profession of religious vows on June 13, 1939. In accordance with his desire, he was sent to the Marian house in Druja in the region of Vilnius, Blessed Anthony Leszczewicz was born on September 30, 1890, in the parish of Wojstom, in the diocese of Vilnius. In 1909, he entered the only existing Catholic Seminary in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was ordained a priest on April 13, 1914. For a year, he was vicar in Irkutsk, Siberia, then for two years in Czyt. Prayer for the intercession of Blessed Anthony Leszczewicz and Blessed George Kaszyra (for private devotion only) Almighty and Eternal God, You granted the grace of martyrdom to Your blessed servants, Anthony and George,who at the moment of danger to their lives showed a spirit of love and pastoral zeal by accepting death with their brothers and sisters. Through their intercession, grant us the grace of strength and love, that our daily service to others may build up the Church and lead us to the eternal joy of Your saints. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. with ecclesiastical approval where he dedicated himself to pastoral work, house management, and teaching in the school. In September of 1939, Druja was occupied by the Bolsheviks, and, in 1941, by the Germans. Soon after, he was appointed superior of the mission beyond the river Dzwina, on territories taken over by the Soviet Union. There he undertook the work of evangelization together with a group of Marian priests and Sisters of the Servants of Jesus in the Eucharist. During a punitive expedition against partisan activity, he voluntarily remained with the faithful, and together with them was burned by the Nazis in Rosica on February 17, 1943. Blessed Anthony was a priest full of zeal, ever eager to serve others. He was also well-liked and respected by all. He is remembered, above all, for laying down his life for his flock in Rosica. That heroic witness will inspire future generations of Marians and the laity. This heroic Marian was beatified in Warsaw, Poland, by Pope John Paul II on June 13, 1999. Please ask the intercession of Blessed Anthony for your intentions. Please see below for suggested prayer.
Martyr Blessed Anthony Leszczewicz (1890-1943) Blessed George Kaszyra was born on April 4, 1904, in a village of Belarus, of Orthodox parents. In 1907, his mother became a Catholic. After the death of his parents, he was brought up by his relatives. In 1922, he, too, became a Catholic and a year later entered the Marian school at Druja. After a year in school, he sought admission to the Marian Congregation. Upon completing the novitiate, he made his religious vows in 1926. Following graduation in 1929, he studied philosophy in Rome and theology in Vilnius, where he was ordained a priest in 1935. He was placed in charge of the Marian seminarians in Vilnius for a year. Then, for two more years, he worked in Druja as prefect in the school and educator of the religious students. In 1938, he was appointed Superior of the House of Rasna in Polesie. When the Bolsheviks arrived there in October of 1939, he went to Lithuania. In July 1942, Fr. George was able to leave Lithuania and go to Druja. From there, on the summons of Fr. Leszczewicz, he went immediately to Rosica, where they conducted the mission together, using Polish, Belarussian, or Russian languages, according to the local need. During the punitive expedition undertaken by the Nazis for partisan activity in that region, Fr. Kaszyra remained voluntarily with he confined people, fulfilling priestly ministry and saving them from despair. He was burned together with them in Rosica on February 18, 1943. Blessed George Kaszyra was a humble man, known for his extraordinary industriousness, and well-liked by those who lived with him. An exemplary religious, he was dedicated to the community life. He is a model of good relations with Orthodox believers and of reconciliation between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Above all, he is remembered for his martyrdom at Rosica, which will continue to inspire members of the Congregation for years to come. This courageous Marian was beatified in Warsaw, Poland, by Pope John Paul II on June 13, 1999. Please ask the intercession of Blessed George for your intentions. Please see previous page for suggested prayers. Martyr Blessed George Kaszyra (1904-1943) Information about healings or other favors received from God through the intercession of Blessed Antoni Leszczewicz or Blessed George Kaszyra, requests for biographies and prayers and any other correspondence should be sent to: Postulatore Generale dei Chierici Mariani Casa Generalizia Via Corsica, 1 00198 Roma, Italia Tel.: 011-39-06-853-703-1 Fax: 011-39-06-853-703-22 https://padrimariani.org/en/great-figures/
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