. 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 Nov6-Thirty-Second 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: Saturday, Nov. 12 The 2pm Mass will be held in the St. Faustina Center or at the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine. 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 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/
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Pope Pius XII Catholics need to act in support of their principles and policies in public life. It is the particular vocation of the laity to transform the world. U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops November 8th is Election Day. We have an important opportuni ty as Chr istians to effect real , and r ight change by our choices. To prayerful ly consider what is on the 2022 bal lot please visi t: Pope Pius XII and USCCB Quotes from: https://socialjusticeresourcecenter.org/teachings/voting-rights-church-teaching/ www.masscitizensforlife.org/2022election or call: 617-242-4199 to request a copy “The people are called on to take an always larger part in the public life of the nation. This participation brings with it grave responsibilities. Hence the necessity for the faithful to have clear, solid, precise knowledge of their duties in the moral and religious domain with respect to their exercise of their civil rights, and in particular of the right to vote.” -Pope Pius XII
Diary 471, 472, 1020, 278 November 27, [1936]. Today I was in heaven, in spirit, and I saw its inconceivable beauties and the happiness that awaits us after death. I saw how all creatures give ceaseless praise and glory to God. I saw how great is happiness in God, which spreads to all creatures, making them happy; and then all the glory and praise which springs from this happiness returns to its source; and they enter into the depths of God, contemplating the inner life of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, whom they will never comprehend or fathom. This source of happiness is unchanging in its essence, but it is always new, gushing forth happiness for all creatures. Now I understand Saint Paul, who said, “Eye has not seen, nor has ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love Him.” O inconceivable goodness of God, which shields us at every step, may Your mercy be praised without cease. That You became a brother to humans, not to angels, is a miracle of the unfathomable mystery of Your mercy. All our trust is in You, our first-born Brother, Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. My heart flutters with joy to see how good God is to us wretched and ungrateful people. And as a proof of His love, He gives us the incomprehensible gift of Himself in the person of His Son. Throughout all eternity we shall never exhaust that mystery of love. O mankind, why do you think so little about God being truly among us? O Lamb of God, I do not know what to admire in You first: Your gentleness, Your hidden life, the emptying of Yourself for the sake of man, or the constant miracle of Your mercy, which transforms souls and raises them up to eternal life. Although You are hidden in this way, Your omnipotence is more manifest here than in the creation of man. Though the omnipotence of Your mercy is at work in the justification of the sinner, yet Your action is gentle and hidden. I desire, O my Jesus, to suffer and burn with the flame of Your love in all the circumstances of my life. I am Yours, completely Yours, and I wish to disappear in You, O Jesus, I wish to be lost in Your divine beauty. You pursue me with Your love, O Lord; You penetrate my soul like a ray of the sun and change its darkness into Your light. I feel very vividly that I am living in You as one small spark swallowed up by the incomprehensible fire with which You burn, O inconceivable Trinity! No greater joy is to be found than that of loving God. Already here on earth we can taste the happiness of those in heaven by an intimate union with God, a union that is extraordinary and often quite incomprehensible to us. One can attain this very grace through simple faithfulness of soul. From the Diary of Saint Faustina What He has prepared for you
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. Then I heard the words: As you are united with Me in life, so will you be united at the moment of death. After these words, such great trust in God’s great mercy was awakened in my soul that, even if I had had the sins of the whole world, as well as the sins of all the condemned souls weighing on my conscience, I would not have doubted God’s goodness but, without hesitation, would have thrown myself into the abyss of the divine mercy, which is always open to us; and, with a heart crushed to dust, I would have cast myself at His feet, abandoning myself totally to His holy will, which is mercy itself. + God’s Infinite Goodness in Creating Mankind. God, who in Your mercy have deigned to call man from nothingness into being, generously have You bestowed upon him nature and grace. But that seemed too little for Your infinite goodness. In Your mercy, O Lord, You have given us everlasting life. You admit us to Your everlasting happiness and grant us to share in Your interior life. And You do this solely out of Your mercy. You bestow on us the gift of Your grace, only because You are good and full of love. You had no need of us at all to be happy, but You, O Lord, want to share Your own happiness with us. But man did not stand the test. You could have punished him, like the angels, with eternal rejection, but here Your mercy appeared, and the very depths of Your being were moved with great compassion, and You promised to restore our salvation. It is an incomprehensible abyss of Your compassion that You did not punish us as we deserved. May Your mercy be glorified, O Lord; we will praise it for endless ages. And the angels were amazed at the greatness of the mercy which You have shown for mankind... Diary 777, 1584, 507, 1552, 1743 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. 100 percent of your donation goes directly to those in need through our Marian priests in Ukraine and Poland. Yes, IwantToHelp!
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: 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 Please note: Saturday, November 12th The Shrine Chapel will be closed for a private event from 1:30-4pm. The 2pm Pilgrim Mass will be held in the St. Faustina Center or at the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine (depending on the weather).
The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, has a new Rector: Fr. Fr. Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC. A native of Florida, Fr. Matthew, 28, was ordained to the priesthood last year, and had been serving at St. Patrick Parish in Yorkville, Illinois, and St. Mary Parish in Plano, Illinois. He is a lieutenant (junior grade) in the U.S. Naval Reserve, and in a few years will be called to active duty as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy. Father Matthew succeeds Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC, who now serves as Vice-Rector of Shrine Liturgy. Father Robert Vennetti, MIC, is the Vice-Rector of Shrine Events. "Although I’ll miss the parishes and school in Illinois, I’m happy to be part of the National Shrine’s mission of sharing the Divine Mercy message and devotion," says Fr. Matthew. "With my term taking place during the USCCB’s three-year National Eucharistic Revival, I’m excited to have the National Shrine take part in fostering a greater love of our Merciful Lord present in the Most Holy Eucharist." A new Rector for the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy M "I look forward to meeting many pilgrims from all walks of life and places," Fr. Matthew adds, "and hearing their experience of Jesus, the Divine Mercy." “We’re excited to welcome Fr. Matthew back to Eden Hill,” says the Very Rev. Chris Alar, MIC, interim Provincial Superior and the Director of the Association of Marian Helpers ("Fr. Joseph"). “His youthful enthusiasm and love of the Eucharist will enhance the pastoral care we offer to pilgrims from all over the world, who visit the National Shrine to experience God’s loving mercy.” For more information on The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy and to plan a visit, call (413) 298-3931 or visit ShrineofDivineMercy.org Shrine Mission Meet Fr. Matthew https://marian.org/articles/new-rector-national-shrine-divine-mercy
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
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