. 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 Nov13-Thirty-Third SundayofOrdinaryTime 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. 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
“In fact, the Beatitudes of Jesus, which are the identity card of saints, show the complete opposite: they speak of a life that is countercultural and revolutionary!” Pope Francis added that one example of this aspect is the beatitude ”Blessed are the peacemakers. Indeed, peace must be built, and like any construction it requires effort, collaboration, patience,” the pontiff said. Peace, the pope said, “germinates from the soil of life, from the seed of our heart; it grows in silence, day after day, through works of justice and mercy, as the luminous witnesses we are celebrating today show us. “To be a peacemaker, he added, “one must disarm the heart.” Pope Francis said:” We are all equipped with aggressive thoughts and sharp words, and we think to defend ourselves with the barbed wire of complaint and the concrete walls of indifference.” The pontiff called Catholics to look within and ask themselves: “Are we peacemakers? In the places where we live, study and work, do we bring tension, words that hurt, gossip that poisons, controversy? Or do we open up the way to peace: Do we forgive those who have offended us, do we care for those who are at the margins, do we redress some injustice by helping those who have less? This is building peace. “ Article from Catholic News Agency: Pope Francis calls on Catholics to become peacemakers: CNA Newsroom, Nov 1, 2022/ 05:26am https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252701/p ope-francis-calls-on-catholics-to-become-peacemakers [A man has In the Words of Pope Francis Pope Francis calls on Catholics to become peacemakers Pope Francis on Tuesday called on Catholics to “disarm their hearts” and become peacemakers. “Peace is not achieved by conquering or defeating someone, it is never violent,” the pontiff said before praying the Angelus on the Solemnity of All Saints, Nov. 1. For those doubting whether it is worth living in such a way, the pope said: “Jesus gives us the answer: the peacemakers ‘will be called children of God’: in the world they seem out of place, because they do not yield to the logic of power and prevailing, in heaven they will be the closest to God, the most like him.” Pope Francis again prayed for peace in Ukraine in his concluding remarks and invoked the Virgin Mary: “Queen of all saints,” to help us “be peacemakers in our daily lives.” Image1: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/day-5-world-youth-day-2016 Image 2: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/mother-god-mother-peace
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 From the Diary of Saint Faustina March 25. In the morning, during meditation, God’s presence enveloped me in a special way, as I saw the immeasurable greatness of God and, at the same time, His condescension to His creatures. Then I saw the Mother of God, who said to me, Oh, howpleasing toGod is the soul that follows faithfully the inspirations of His grace! I gave the Savior to the world; as for you, you have to speak to the world about His great mercy and prepare the world for the Second Coming of Him who will come, not as a merciful Savior, but as a just Judge. Oh, how terrible is that day! Determined is the day of justice, the day of divine wrath. The angels tremble before it. Speak to souls about this great mercy while it is still the time for [granting] mercy. If you keep silent now, you will be answering for a great number of souls on that terrible day. Fear nothing. Be faithful to the end. I sympathize with you. In the evening, when I was praying, the Mother of God told me, Your lives must be like Mine: quiet and hidden, in unceasing union with God, pleading for humanity and preparing the world for the second coming of God. When I had rested near His sweetest Heart, I told Him, “Jesus, I have so much to tell You.” And the Lord said to me with great love, Speak, My daughter. And I started to enumerate the pains of my heart; that is, how greatly concerned I am for all mankind, that “they all do not know You, and those who do know You do not love You as You deserve to be loved. I also see how terribly sinners offend You; and then again, I see how severely the faithful, especially Your servants, are oppressed and persecuted. And then, too, I see many souls rushing headlong into the terrible abyss of hell. You see, Jesus, this is the pain that gnaws at my heart and bones. And, although You show me special love and inundate my heart with streams of Your joys, nevertheless, this does not appease the sufferings I have just mentioned, but rather they penetrate my poor heart all the more acutely. Oh, how ardently I desire that all mankind turn with trust to Your mercy. Then, seeing the glory of Your name, my heart will be comforted.” Jesus listened to these outpourings of my heart with gravity and interest, as if He had known nothing about them, and this seemed to make it easier for me to talk. And the Lord said to me, My daughter, those words of your heart are pleasing to Me, and by saying the chaplet you are bringing humankind closer to Me. After these words, I found myself alone, but the presence of God is always in my soul. While I was saying the chaplet, I heard a voice which said, Oh, what great graces I will grant to souls who say this chaplet; the very depths of My tender mercy are stirred for the sake of those who say the chaplet. Write down these words, My daughter. Speak to the
3 3 72 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. world about My mercy; let all mankind recognize My unfathomable mercy. It is a sign for the end times; after it will come the day of justice. While there is still time, let them have recourse to the fount of My mercy; let them profit from the Blood and Water which gushed forth for them. O human souls, where are you going to hide on the day of God’s anger: Take refuge now in the fount of God’s mercy. O what a great multitude of souls I see! They worshiped the Divine Mercy and will be singing the hymn of praise for all eternity. Soul: Lord, there is another obstacle on the road to holiness. Because I am faithful to You, I am persecuted and suffer much. Jesus: It is because you are not of this world that the world hates you. First it persecuted Me. Persecution is a sign that you are following in My footsteps faithfully. February 3, [1938]. Today after Holy Communion, Jesus again gave me a few directives: First, do not fight against a temptation by yourself, but disclose it to the confessor at once, and then the temptation will lose all its force. Second, during these ordeals do not lose your peace; live in My presence; ask My Mother and the Saints for help. Third, have the certitude that I am looking at you and supporting you. Fourth, do not fear either struggles of the soul or any temptations, because I am supporting you; if only you are willing to fight, know that the victory is always on your side. Fifth, know that by fighting bravely you give Me great glory and amass merits for yourself. Temptation gives you a chance to show Me your fidelity. + In the evening, when I entered the small chapel, I heard these words in my soul: My daughter, consider these words: “And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly.” When I started to think about them more deeply, much light streamed into my soul. I learned how much we need perseverance in prayer and that our salvation often depends on such difficult prayer. Diary 635, 625, 929, 848, excerpt 1487, 1560, 157 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. Yes, IwantToHelp! 100 percent of your donation goes directly to those in need through our Marian priests in Ukraine and Poland.
Shrine Bulletin Board Livestream Series Saturdays at 11:00am with Fr. Chris Alar, MIC To watch please go to: www.thedivinemercy.org 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: 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 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 The Diary of St. Faustina Blessed Oil of St. Faustina
M Servant of God Fr. Vladislovas (Vladas) Mažonas 1881-1945 Fr. Vladislovas (also known as Vladas) Mažonas was born on June 24, 1881. He was ordained a priest on June 29, 1906. He joined the Congregation of Marian Fathers on September 4, 1924, after which he also served in Mariampole as a youth educator and editor of the then-known Catholic periodical Šaltinis, where he wrote about the persecution of the Church in the Soviet Union. From 1932-1934 he conducted a pastoral ministry for the Lithuanians in London. In 1934, he was sent to Harbin in Manchuria to assist at the Russian Ordinariate of the Byzantine-Slavic Rite run by the Congregation of Marian Fathers. Dedicated and creative in his service, he was also a deputy superior of the mission, educator and teacher of religion in all of the schools of the Ordinariate, the editor of the magazine Katolicheskiy Viestnik, the official journal of the Ordinariate. In 1938, he returned to Marijampole in Lithuania, where he again served as the editor of the magazine Šaltinis. After the occupation of Lithuania by the Soviet army in 1940, NKVD arrested Fr. Vladas on June 14, 1941 and deported him to Kraslag, at the Rieshoty station, camp 7, in the vicinity of Lake Baikal, in Krasnoyarsk Krai in Siberia. He was subjected to very severe interrogations and torture there, which irreparably ruined his health. He was accused of being a rioter and an instigator of hostility against the Soviet Union, based on religious motives and his personal convictions. On April 21, 1942, he was sentenced to death. However, the sentence was not carried out; instead, it was decided to send him to Moscow for further interrogations. He arrived in Moscow only in February 1944 and was immediately hospitalized in the prison hospital of Butyrki, where he died in January 1945, ex aerumnis carceris, his faith unbroken until the end. By the letter of February 9, 2021, the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints opened the process of the Servant of God Fabian and four companions – one of whom is Fr. Vladislovas (Vladas) Mažonas, MIC. The official title of the process is: “Varsaviensis Beatificationis seu Declarationis Martyrii Servorum Dei Fabiani Abrantowicz et IV Sociorum, Sacerdotum Congregationis Clericorum Marianorum ab Immaculata Conceptione Beatæ Virginis Mariæ in odium Fidei, uti fertur, interfectorum.” Almighty and merciful God, You granted Your servant Fabian and four companions – Andrzej, Eugeniusz, Janis and Vladas – the grace of martyrdom and called them to be true witnesses of Your Son’s Passion and Resurrection. May they be raised to the glory of the altars, so that we, after their example and through their intercession, may faithfully fulfill God’s calling in our own life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen We encourage you to pray for graces through the intercession of the Servant of God Fabian and Companions – Martyrs. Please send information about healings or other graces received from God through the intercession of Archimandrite Fabian and Companions 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
O . November is the traditional month of intercession for the souls of the faithful departed. The Marians will be praying for the Holy Souls in solemn Evening Prayer for the decea traditional month of intercession for the souls of the faithful departed. The Marians will be praying for the Holy Souls in solemn Evening Prayer for the Deceased on All Souls' Day, through Prayers for Poor Souls ©2021 by United State Conference of Catholic Bishops T Deceased on All Souls’ Day, through the octave, and in their daily prayers and Holy Masses throughout the month. Assisting the Holy Souls is one of the founding charisms of theMarians. Send the names of those you would like to have remembered, and we will place your intentions near the altar at the National Shrine throughout November. To Enroll your loved one to: www.shrineofdivinemercy.org/novenas/ prayers-poor-souls
November is traditionally the month of prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. In honor of this tradition, we would like to share with you an excerpt from Purgatory: A Guide (Marian Press). Saint Stanislaus Papczynski (1631-1701), the Founder of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, had a deep devotion for the Holy Souls in Purgatory that has since become integrated into the lives of each and every Marian priest and brother. Father Stanislaus was responding to the times in which he lived. Poland was constantly at war - with the Muscovites, Cossacks, Turks, Tartars, and Swedes. He witnessed the carnage and saw many soldiers and innocent civilians die without receiving the Sacraments. Realizing that most of them were unprepared to meet God, he remembered them in prayer, especially at Holy Mass. Later, his personal mystical experiences intensified his devotion for the Holy Souls, as he grew in understanding how much they suffer. Father Stanislaus was keenly aware that those baptized souls who died unprepared might have to suffer in Purgatory in order to purify them of all sin, so they could enter, holy and immaculate, into their heavenly reward. He would pray for hours, sometimes spending the entire night in the chapel, and there he would descend in spirit into Purgatory and stay with them, praying for them the whole time. Since he served as a chaplain in the Polish Army led by King John III Sobieski, Fr. Stanislaus felt obliged to extend his spiritual care to the souls of the soldiers who had died in battle by praying at their gravesites. There is even testimony that the souls of the fallen soldiers would appear to him, begging for his intercession before God. After further reflection, Fr. Stanislaus began to include in his prayers those who died from the pestilence that usually followed the wars. He would devote his Masses, prayers, mortifications, penances, and all kinds of works of mercy to the Holy Souls, and he always encouraged others to do the same, especially the members of his Congregation. One day, after saying Holy Mass, Fr. Stanislaus was having dinner with a family he was serving as spiritual director. At the table, he fell into an ecstasy. Then, after a while, he regained his senses. Despite the table in front of him being set for a sumptuous meal, he stood up and walked out the door. He then ordered the coachman to take him back to his monastery. There, his confreres were surprised to see him back so quickly and asked him what was the matter. He said to them, "Pray, brethren, for the souls who suffer in Purgatory, for they suffer unbearably!" Then, he went to his room and locked himself in, staying there without food or drink for many days and ardently praying for the souls in Purgatory. When Fr. Stanislaus preached or talked about the suffering that souls go through while in Purgatory, he would often have tears in his eyes and tremble. He claimed that there were so many souls in Purgatory that their number was far beyond those who are in the world. Those who knew him testified that whenever he fell into an ecstasy, he was in Purgatory taking on the suffering of the souls who were there. Father Stanislaus wrote that he would ask God to increase his sufferings on earth, so that he could help as many souls as possible. He offered all of his illnesses, pains, labors, persecutions, mortifications, and all his pious works in sacrifice for ‘They Suffer Unbearably’
souls. He did it all through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom he called the "Merciful Protectress of the Souls in Purgatory." On another occasion, Fr. Stanislaus made a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Studzianna, and while there, he fell gravely ill. After Confession and Holy Mass, he felt he was losing his senses and asked to be taken to a monastic cell. While appearing half dead, he fell into an ecstasy - once again, experiencing the suffering of the souls in Purgatory. The residents of the monastery came to his cell to see how he was doing, and he appeared dead to them. They actually began to make his funeral arrangements! After some time, Fr. Stanislaus came out of his ecstasy. He then received a blessing from his spiritual director and went straight to the church to deliver a heartfelt sermon on devotion for the Holy Souls. He later told his confreres that the Blessed Mother had come to him and asked him to return to life, so that he might continue to help the dead. The contemporaries of Fr. Stanislaus recalled how locking himself in his cell to pray became habitual for him. There, falling into ecstasy, he would descend into Purgatory. At such moments, he felt intensely the suffering of the Holy Souls, and it was noted he could be heard saying, "O Clementissime Deus, auge mihi Dolores, et ipsis poenas minue," meaning, "O God of infinite mercy, give me more suffering and diminish their punishment." Article from “They Suffer Unbearably”: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/they-suffer-unbearably Image of Saint Stanislaus: https://padrimariani.org/en/founder/ Our Duty of Mercy Image from: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/our-duty-mercy damnation. Father Stanislaus, moved with pity, immediately gathered everyone in the monastery and had them pray together with him for this poor soul. They believed it was the soul of King John III Sobieski, who had just died in Warsaw. Saint Stanislaus imposed this duty on his Congregation, encouraging all his confreres to offer everything they do for the Holy Souls. In 1692, he wrote in his testament that whoever would perform this heroic act of love and mercy would be doubly rewarded by God and that whoever supported his "little Order" in this work would also receive this double reward. Consequently, we should all be greatly encouraged to remember these Holy Souls in our prayers and daily sufferings, offering them all for their benefit - especially those of our friends and family members who may be there. Also, never forget to pray for those souls who are forgotten and have no one to pray for them. Our Eternal Father will reward us for this tremendous act of Christian kindness. Finally, never forget what St. Stanislaus said about showing mercy to these souls in need - offering prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory is one of the greatest acts of mercy. They also affectionately recalled how once, though following utter poverty, Fr. Stanislaus found that he had a gold Hungarian coin. He asked one of his confreres to take it to the local parish and ask all the priests in residence to celebrate a Holy Mass for the Holy Souls. He was rewarded for this devotion by sometimes being allowed to see some of the suffering souls wn they visited his cell. On one occasion, he saw a soul in his cell who had been judeged harshly for his sins, and this soul was trembling with fear of eternal damnation
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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