November 24, 2024 Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe National Shrine of The Divine Mercy 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 Livestream from the National Shrine Daily Devotions Daily Mass 9:00am Chaplet of Divine Mercy 3:00pm Rosary for Life 5:00pm Divine Mercy (Official) Divine Mercy Videos posted on our website daily: shrineofdivinemercy.org 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. Sincerely in Jesus and Mary Immaculate, Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC Shrine Rector Monday- Saturday 8:00am, 9:00am & 2:00pm Sunday 9:00am, 10:30am & 2:00pm Please note: 2pm Mass 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 Schedule
Upcoming Events For more information please visit the Shrine Calendar found on our website: https: www.shrineofdivinemercy.org November 2024 11/28 Thanksgiving Day • see flyer on page 10 for more information 11/30 Explaining the Faith Talk at 11am • Judaism Roots of Catholicism by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC December 2024 12/1 First Saturday Talks and Devotion at 11am 12/6 First Friday Devotions at 8pm 12/7 Explaining the Faith Talk at 11am • First Saturday: Our Lady Star of the Sea by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC 12/9 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary • HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION • See flyer on page 12 for more information 12/12 Our Lady of Guadalupe Testimony and Catechesis • see flyer on page 13 for more information 12/14 Explaining the Faith Talk at 11am • Dead Sea Scrolls by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC 12/21 Explaining the Faith Talk at 11am • St. Stephen and the Diaconate by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC
Pope Francis Angelus Address St. Peter’s Basilica November 25, 2018 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning! The Solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe, which we celebrate today, is set at the conclusion of the liturgical year and recalls that the life of creation does not advance at random, but proceeds toward a final destination: the definitive manifestation of Christ, Lord of history and of all creation. The conclusion of history will be his eternal kingdom. Today’s Gospel passage (cf. Jn 18:33-37) speaks to us about this kingdom, the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom of Jesus, recounting the humiliating situation that Jesus is in after being arrested in Gethsemane: bound, insulted, accused and led before the authorities of Jerusalem. And then, he is presented to the Roman prosecutor, as one who seeks to undermine political power, to become the king of the Jews. So Pilate conducts his inquest and, in a dramatic interrogation, twice asks Jesus if He is a king (cf. vv. 33, 37). And Jesus initially responds that his kingship “is not of this world” (v. 36). Then he states: “You say that I am a king” (v. 37). It is evident from his entire life that Jesus does not have political ambitions. Let us recall that after the multiplication of the loaves, the people, excited by the miracle, would have sought to proclaim him king, to overturn the Roman power and reestablish the kingdom of Israel. But for Jesus the kingdom is something else, and it is certainly not achieved by revolt, violence and the force of arms. This is why he withdrew alone to pray on the mount (cf. Jn 6:5-15). Now, in responding, He makes Pilate take note that His disciples did not fight to defend Him. He says: “if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews” (Jn 18:36). Jesus wants to make it understood that above and beyond political power there is another even greater one, which is not obtained by human means. He has come to
earth to exercise this power, which is love, by bearing witness to the truth (cf. v. 37), the divine truth which ultimately is the essential message of the Gospel: “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8); and he wishes to establish in the world his kingdom of love, justice and peace. And this is the kingdom of which Jesus is king, and which extends until the end of times. History teaches us that kingdoms founded on the force of arms and on the abuse of power are fragile and sooner or later collapse. But the Kingdom of God is founded on his love and is rooted in hearts — the Kingdom of God is rooted in hearts —, conferring peace, freedom and fullness of life upon those who embrace it. We all want peace; we all want freedom and we want fulfilment. And how do you do this? Allow the love of God, the Kingdom of God, the love of Jesus, to take root in your heart and you will have peace, you will have freedom and you will have fulfilment. Today Jesus asks us to allow him to become our king. A king who, with his word, his example and his life immolated on the cross saved us from death, and — this king — indicates the path to those who are lost, gives new light to our existence marred by doubt, by fear and by everyday trials. But we must not forget that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. He will give new meaning to our life — at times even put to difficult tests through our mistakes and our sins — merely on the condition that we not follow the logics of the world and of its ‘kings’. May the Virgin Mary help us to welcome Jesus as the king of our life and to spread his kingdom, by bearing witness to the truth which is love. G A Angelus Address given by His Holiness Pope Francis on November 25, 2018 https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2018/documents/papa-francesco_angelus_20181125.html Picture: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/pope-francis-unique Coat of Arms: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en.html Thou Art the King of Glory “During Holy Mass I prayed fervently that Jesus might become King of all hearts and that divine grace might shine in every soul. Then I saw Jeus sas He is depicted in the image, and He said to me, My daughter, you give Me the greatest glory by faithfully fulfilling My desires.” Jesus to St. Faustina; Diary 500 Picture from ‘Thou Art the King of Glory’ : https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/thou-art-king-glory
Proper Attire Inside the Church “Certain fashions will be introduced that will offend Our Lord very much. Woe to women lacking in modesty.” Our Lady of Fatima to Sr. Lucia Out of respect for Our Lord and to preserve others from any near occasions of sin, we ask that you dress in a spirit of modesty when entering the Church. Dress Code Guideline: For Women: No shorts, spandex, or skirts above the knees. No leggings or athletic wear. No low cut, backless or spaghetti strap dresses. All dresses should fall to knee length or below. No tank tops, bared midriffs or halter tops; no tight fitting, low cut or backless tops. For Men: No shorts No tank tops No baseball caps No flip flops If you should choose to wear a shoulder baring dress or top, please bring a covering for when you enter the Church. "Christian girls, think also of this: the more elegant you will be, and the more pleasing, if you dress with simplicity and discreet modesty." – The Forgotten Virtue: Modesty in Dress A good resource to learn more: The Forgotten Virtue: Modesty in Dress by Mgsr. Charles M. Mangan at https://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=647
Get to know the Diary of… “Amazement and admiration overwhelm me when I see God’s great majesty, which stoops down to me who am misery itself.” + Today, I Prepare for the Coming of the King. What am I, and who are You, O Lord, King of eternal glory? O my heart, are you aware of who is coming to you today? Yes, I know, but — strangely — I am not able to grasp it. Oh, if He were just a king, but He is the King of kings, the Lord of lords. Before Him, all power and dominion tremble. He is coming to my heart today. But I hear Him approaching. I go out to meet Him and invite Him. When He entered the dwelling of my heart, it was filled with such reverence that it fainted with fear, falling at His feet. Jesus gives her His hand and graciously permits her to take her place beside Him. He reassures her, saying, See, I have left My heavenly throne to become united with you. What you see is just a tiny part and already your soul swoons with love. How amazed will your heart be when you see Me in all My glory. The Infinite Goodness of God in the Creation of the Angels. O God, who are happiness in Your very self and have no need of creatures to make You happy, because of Yourself You are the fullness of love; yet, out of Your fathomless mercy You call creatures into being and grant them a share in Your eternal happiness and in Your life, that divine indwelling life which You live, One God in Three Persons. In Your unfathomable mercy, You have created angelic spirits and admitted them to Your love and to Your divine intimacy. You have made them capable of eternal love. Although You bestowed on them so generously, O Lord, the splendor of love and beauty, Your fullness was not diminished in the least, O God, nor have their love and beauty completed You, because You are everything in Yourself. And if You have allowed them to participate in Your happiness and to exist and to love You, that is only due to the abyss of Your mercy. This is Your unfathomable goodness, for which they glorify You without end, humbling themselves at the feet of Your majesty as they chant their eternal hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy … Today, in the course of a long conversation, the Lord said to me, How very much I desire the salvation of souls! My dearest secretary, write that I want to pour out My divine life into human souls and sanctify them, if only they were willing to accept My grace. The greatest sinners would achieve great sanctity, if only they would trust in My mercy. The very inner depths of My being are Saint Faustina
filled to overflowing with mercy, and it is being poured out upon all I have created. My delight is to act in a human soul and to fill it with My mercy and to justify it. My kingdom on earth is My life in the human soul. Write, My secretary, that I Myself am the spiritual guide of souls — and I guide them indirectly through the priest, and lead each one to sanctity by a road known to Me alone. One day during Holy Mass, the Lord gave me a deeper knowledge of His holiness and His majesty, and at the same time I saw my own misery. This knowledge made me happy, and my soul drowned itself completely in His mercy. I felt enormously happy. Today, the Lord gave me to know interiorly that He would never abandon me. He gave me to know His majesty and His holiness as well as His love and mercy towards me; and He gave me a deeper knowledge of my own wretchedness. However, this great misery of mine does not deprive me of trust. On the contrary, the better I have come to know my own misery, the stronger has become my trust in God’s mercy. I have come to understand how all this depends on the Lord. I know that no one will touch a single hair of my head without His willing it. O merciful God, You do not despise us, but lavish Your graces on us continuously. You make us fit to enter Your kingdom, and in Your goodness You grant that human beings may fill the places vacated by the ungrateful angels. O God of great mercy, who turned Your sacred gaze away from the rebellious angels and turned it upon contrite man, praise and glory be to Your unfathomable mercy, O God who do not despise the lowly heart. Jesus, King of Mercy, again the time has come when I am alone with You. Therefore I beg You, by all the love with which Your Heart burns, to destroy completely within me my self-love and, on the other hand, to enkindle in my heart the fire of Your purest love. Consider, My daughter, Who it is to whom your heart is so closely united by the vows. Before I made the world, I loved you with the love your heart is experiencing today and, throughout the centuries, My love will never change. My Lord and my God, You know that it is You alone whom my soul has come to love. My soul is entirely drowned in You, O Lord. Even if I did not accomplish any of the things that You have made known to me, O Lord, I would be completely at peace because I would have done what I could. I know well, O Lord, that You have no need of our works; You demand love. Love, love and once again, love of God — there is nothing greater in heaven or on earth. The greatest greatness is to love God; true greatness is in loving God; real wisdom is to love God. All that is great and beautiful is in God; there is no beauty or greatness outside of Him. O you sages of the world and you great minds, recognize that true greatness is in loving God! Oh, how astonished I am that some people deceive themselves, saying: There is no eternity! + Holy Hour. — Thursday. During this hour of prayer, Jesus allowed me to enter the Cenacle, and I was a witness to what happened there. However, I was most deeply moved when, before the Consecration, Jesus raised His eyes to heaven and entered into a mysterious conversation with His Father. It is only in eternity that we shall really understand that moment. His eyes were like two flames; His face was radiant, white as snow; His whole personage full of majesty, His soul full of longing. At the moment of Consecration, love rested satiated — the sacrifice fully consummated. Now only the external ceremony of death will be carried out — external destruction; the essence [of it] is in the Cenacle. Never in my whole life had I understood this mystery so profoundly as during that hour of adoration. Oh, how ardently I desire that the whole world would come to know this unfathomable mystery! Only love has meaning; it raises up our smallest actions into infinity. Diary excerpt 1814; 1810, 1741, 1748, 1801, 1406, 1339, 371, 1754, 989-990, 684, 502
INSPECTIO CORDIS Examining the depth of one’s heart with St. Stanislaus Papczyński “Our weekly goal is to allow Jesus to gaze into your heart and teach you self-examination, leading you to a more fruitful reception of Holy Communion at Sunday Mass, where there is a true encounter of our hearts with His Sacred Heart.” Prepare for Sunday Mass with our Founder Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe– Year B November 24, 2024 coming. Certainly, those who prefer sin to His love will flee from His face. Yet, the prophecy here refers to the lamentation that arises from contrition. We will “see him” whom we have “pierced,” who no longer is subject so suffering but is “coming amid the clouds.” While we rightly want to feel joy upon seeing the Lord Jesus, our first, gut-wrenching reaction might be that of mourning our sins. He is the one who “loves us and has freed us from our sins,” and so convicts us of the ways that we yet remain bound to our sins. Mass begins with this lament, as we gaze upon the crucified Lord and ask for forgiveness in the penitential rite. Then, when He “who is to come” does indeed come in Holy Communion, our hearts are purified to receive Him with joyful love. To what sins do you remain bound? Where is your heart in mourning? 2. “one like a Son of man…” We are accustomed to the idea of the Incarnation, that the Son has become man. Yet, in Daniel’s vision that precedes this first reading, the kingly rulers of empires were compared to ferocious animals: a crocodile, an eagle, a lion, a leopard, etc. The manner that the pagans exercised their dominion was through force of arms. Yet, for the People of God, a ruler comes who wields “dominion, glory, and kingship” not by violence but by obedience to God the Father. He shares our human condition, and so exalts – rather than dominates – us by enabling us to share in His kingship. Today, too, we witness the drastic difference between modern political and economic arenas – that depend upon competition and conquest – and the Gospel – which depends upon humility and faith. Even though it seems we may be outmatched, lacking in resources and people, we have the assurance that “His dominion is an everlasting dominion…” He comes today, not to be seated upon a heavenly throne, but to reign in your heart through the Eucharist. Where do you experience the power of “beasts” in your life? Where do you resort to strength or competition? How can you live by humility and faith in His Word? 3. “Your throne stands firm from of old.” The world is filled with upheavals: one empire gives way to another, one political party loses to another. Yet, the Lord remains on His throne, “in splendor robed” and “girt about with strength.” If we watch the news, we may be emotionally captured by worry and fear, because we see how unstable life is. Even more, we see how the Church in the western world suffers more from outside and from inside. Yet, our firm foundation is the fact that, over all these events, His throne is firm. Why He permits so much evil to transpire remains a mystery this side of the final judgment. But He is sovereign, and nothing can thwart His plan of salvation. Our task is to not let worry and anxiety usurp His throne Before Holy Communion 1. “All the peoples of the earth will lament him.” This line may sound like the peoples will regret His
within our hearts. Jesus, whom we receive today in Holy Communion, deserves a firm throne of trust where He reveals His strength to save us. What worries or anxieties occupy your heart? How can you maintain your heart firm in trust as a throne for Jesus? After Holy Communion 1. “Behold, he is coming amid the clouds...” 1. We can sometimes become preoccupied with deciphering the time of His final coming. We know neither the day nor the hour, even if we are to discern the seasons and His nearness. Through each Mass, the Lord Jesus comes, not on the clouds of heaven, but in the appearance of bread and wine. The same Lord who will return in glorious majesty is the one who today comes in humility, hidden except to the eyes of faith. The more we see our glorious King hidden in the Host of Holy Communion, the more prepared we will be to encounter Him joyfully in His final coming. But already now, He makes us “a kingdom, priests for his God and Father.” We are to offer the Father worship by giving our lives as spiritual sacrifices (1 Pt 2:5; Rom 12:1) with Christ in the Eucharist. This also entails giving alms and interceding for the world, so that all may come to believe in Christ who is coming both in sacrament and at the end of time. We are to evangelize, so that others, too, may come to meet Him in Holy Communion. What do you glimpse through faith when you gaze upon the Host? What does it mean for you to be a “kingdom of priests” in daily life? 2. “Then you are a king?” Pilate has asked the Lord twice about His identity, given that the Jews handed Him over for capital punishment. However, the Lord answers Pilate in a strange manner, neither confirming nor denying His kingship. He is no rival to the emperor Caesar, and yet He is truly King. His kingship, however, is exercised as Son, who obeys His Father even unto death upon the Cross. In doing so, He testifies “to the truth” that God – His Father and our Father – is love. His royal power is manifested not by violence, nor by strength, but by self-giving love that is more powerful than all the forces of evil present in the world. Through Baptism, we share in His kingship and are called to “conquer evil with good” (Rom 12:21) by giving of ourselves in love in response to evil. Holy Communion fills our hearts with His love, so that we are filled with infinitely more love than the evil we encounter in the world. What does it mean to your heart that Christ is King? How can you conquer evil with good – with His love – during this week? 3. “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” Although we easily pronounce the word “God” and “Lord,” it is difficult for our minds and hearts to fully comprehend the significance of these words. “I am the Alpha and the Omega” reminds us that He is the beginning and the end. He is eternal, beyond our comprehension. Although the Lord Jesus, through the Incarnation, has become fully human, He also remains fully divine. His greatness is not a threat for our littleness, but the assurance of our confidence, that He is for us. The proper response – on our part – is that of awe and wonder, expressed above all in Eucharistic adoration and in prayerful thanksgiving after the reception of Holy Communion. The infinite, eternal God has lowered Himself from His eternal throne to enter our hearts, there to dwell as King. Our eternity will be spent in this amazement over Who He is, glorifying and praising Him. But this begins now in each Mass, which is a foretaste of our heavenly homeland. What does your heart feel when you say the word “God” and “Lord”? How do you foster adoration in awe and wonder before His greatness hidden in Holy Communion? How can you begin to do now what you will be doing in heaven? By Fr. Thaddaeus Lancton, MIC Author Stepping on the Serpent: A Journey of Trust with Mary Shining in Spotless Splendor: Consecration to the Immaculate Conception
Novena to The Immaculate Conception Beginning November 30th To honor Our Lady and prepare to receive the graces available on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Marians at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy are offering this Novena. The Immaculate Conception was a frequent topic in the homilies and writings of Saint Stanislaus Papczynski, the Founder of the Marians — and this was some two centuries before the dogma would be proclaimed by the Church. He wrote: "I believe everything that the holy Roman Church believes … but first of all I profess that the Most Holy Mother of God, Mary, was spotless from original sin, from the moment of her conception." Saint Stanislaus recognized that Mary's redemption was the very masterpiece of God's merciful plan for the world. Among all human beings, she alone received the benefits of salvation in Christ from the very moment of her conception — a unique privilege derived from God having chosen her as Mother of the Savior. To ENROLL yourself or a loved one, go to: www.shrineofdivinemercy.org/novenas/ immaculate-conception-novena
Christmas Infant of Prague Novena Beginning December 16th During the nine days before Christmas, the Marians annually celebrate a Novena of Holy Masses at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. Amid the distractions we face as Christmas draws near, this Novena helps us to take time to focus on the Incarnation’s role in God’s plan of mercy for mankind. As a way of preparing for this festivity in the Middle Ages, people used to offer novenas of prayers for nine days, recalling the nine months our Blessed Mother lovingly carried Our Lord in her womb. During the novena of prayers, people participated in common prayer so to enter more fully into the feast. Today, you may pray along with the Marians online daily. You also may send us your special intentions to have them placed near the altar during the Novena, or ask the Marians to remember someone in need of prayer. The Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception wish you a very blessed Christmas. Follow the link below to ENROLL your loved one today! https://forms.shrineofdivinemercy.org/ novenas/?nid=53&redirect=sodm ENROLL NOW
Check out Marian Teaching: Debunking Pro-Choice Lies by Fr. Mark Baron, MIC on DIVINE MERCY PLUS at https://divinemercyplus.org/ or download the app from Google Play or Apple Store https://www.respectlife.org/radical-solidarity
Embrace Life! Be A Hospice Volunteer. Do you have a talent to share? A contagious passion for just about anything? Would you like a appreciative audience? Want an easy way to make a big impact in someone’s life? Do you want to spend your precious free time making a difference in someone’s life? This is an opportunity for you. We are currently looking for HOPSICE VOLUNTEERS on a regular, periodic or as needed basis. You can play cards, read papers, or have a nice conversation with patients. We provide training. You must be at least 18 years old to apply. Please contact Lori Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator, at 413-443-2994 Or email: [email protected] Visit their website for more information: https://hcib.org/ Jesus said to St. Faustina: "... I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it" Diary of St. Faustina, 742 Excerpt from Comfort the Sick-Park of a Series on Corporal Deeds of Mercy. To read in full go to: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/comfort-sick
The Gift Shop is open daily 9:30am – 4:30pm Find us at: divinemercy giftshop.org e Shrine Bulletin Board 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.
Faces of Hope MARIANS OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Yes,I want to Help! How to help Please visit www.marian.org/ukraine/ to make a donation for Ukraine relief. One-hundred percent of funds received are sent directly to Ukraine and used to purchase humanitarian aid and medical supplies. Please do not mail medical supplies to Ukraine! Instead, please contact the Eucharistic Apostles of The Divine Mercy: 1-877-380-0727 or e-mail [email protected] to answer any of your questions. Because shipping via container is more cost effective, we prefer whatever monetary donations you can give rather than you sending medical supplies. Please know that boxes previously sent to the Marians or the EADM office were sent to Project C.U.R.E. and will be on future containers. https://marian.org/articles/shining-merciful-light-ukraine
The Image of Divine Mercy 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) 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). From The Image of The Divine Mercy www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/image
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==