Pillars of Fire In My Soul

THE HOUR OF DIVINE MERCY Jesus himself referred to 3:00 in the afternoon, the hour of His death, as “the hour of great mercy toward the world.” In revelation 59 He said: “At 3:00 o’clock implore My mercy especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, steep yourself in My Passion, particular in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. ...In this hour I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion” (Diary §1320). Jesus put forth three conditions necessary for the prayers offered at the Hour of Divine Mercy to be heard. The prayer is to be directed to Jesus. It is to take place at 3:00 p.m., and it is to appeal to the value and merits of the Lord’s Passion. To these, three other conditions should be added. From the very nature of every prayer, it follows that the object of the prayer must be in accordance with the will of God. The structure of the Devotion demands that the prayer be trustful, therefore steadfast, and in case of necessity, repeated time and again. As all forms of this Devotion, so also the Hour of Divine Mercy requires of its devo- tees the active practice of love of neighbor and works of mercy. In the 68th revelation, Jesus instructed Sister Helen Faustina on how to celebrate the Hour of Divine Mercy (Diary 1572). All would do well to follow these instructions. Specifically, the Lord Jesus suggested that during this hour, Sister Helen Faustina beseech [Divine] Mercy for the entire world, especial- ly for sinners. He encouraged her to meditate during this time on His Passion, particularly the aspect of His abandonment by all during His final agony. He attached the promise of under- standing the meaning of His Passion to this meditation. He especially advised the Stations of the Cross. If time did not per- mit it, she should make a brief visit to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. If this proved impossible, He requested that she immerse herself briefly in prayer. Essential Features of the Devotion to The Divine Mercy 121