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April 13, 2023Divine Mercy has been a prominent devotion of Father Joseph Irwin's priestly vocation since his early years in seminary, in his role as the vicar for priests in the archdiocese and pastor at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Norman.
The first Sunday after Easter was officially declared “Divine Mercy Sunday” by Saint John Paul II in 2000. As the feast day nears on April 16, Father Irwin shared his experience about the importance of this devotion and how people can trust Jesus more in their daily lives.
Learn more about the Divine Mercy devotion at thedivinemercy.org.
What makes the Divine Mercy devotion so relevant and timely for the Catholic faith?
The world is in dire need of God’s mercy. I hear multiple confessions and do lots of spiritual direction. It’s clear to me that everyone is seeking greater trust in the Lord – searching for God’s forgiveness and struggling with the wounds of their life.
Recent Popes, Saint John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis, all spoke about the suffering that happens when we forget God. We need to have a greater sense that God is present with us. The Divine Mercy devotion helps us with this goal to keep our minds on the Lord and the message of Divine Mercy, “Jesus, I trust in you.” I often give this simple but powerful prayer as a penance in confession. It helps people to not only meet Jesus, but to encounter deeper his love.
Oftentimes people pray the Divine Mercy chaplet yet fail to trust Jesus in their daily lives. Why is it so difficult to trust in God?
First, it is because of our human nature and original sin. The devil tries to convince us we can rely on ourselves. We fall into this temptation easily.
Second, we really need to believe that Jesus is everything. He is our greatest need. It is the root and heart of our prayer: It’s your will, Lord, not my own. It’s you who gives me everything that makes me holy.
Third, trust and mercy are not preached and taught enough. We should hear more in homilies and teachings what it truly means to trust and rely on God for everything.
How do you preach and foster Divine Mercy in your parish?
We venerate Divine Mercy images in the main church and the perpetual adoration chapel. This helps to keep people mindful of the need for God’s mercy. Each day after Mass we pray the Divine Mercy invocations, “Jesus, I trust in you.” Parishioners pray the Divine Mercy chaplet regularly in our adoration chapel. I often incorporate the message of trust into my homilies. During the octave of Easter, we pray the Divine Mercy novena and hold a special celebration for Divine Mercy Sunday with a Holy Hour, confessions, the chaplet and a rosary. This is a bilingual celebration. And of course, we do our best to live trust by exemplifying it in our daily lives.
How can people grow in their trust in Jesus?
If we want to trust in Jesus, we need to know him and speak to him through prayer and the sacramental life, asking him frequently, “Lord, help me to trust you. Teach me and I will just receive your mercy without trying to figure it out on my own.” This surrender to God’s providence itself is an expression of trust and reliance on God.
Could you explain Divine Mercy in the context of the Eucharistic Revival?
Divine Mercy is the reality of who Jesus is. Wherever we encounter him in the Eucharist and in adoration, it’s always an encounter with his love and mercy. As we grow in trust in Jesus and his promise of salvation, we will also grow deeper in love with Jesus in the Eucharist.
Why is it important for each Catholic to actively celebrate the upcoming Divine Mercy Sunday?
God’s grace is poured out on us constantly, but particularly at the time of Christ’s Paschal Mystery. Divine Mercy Sunday celebrated at the end of the Easter octave is intimately connected with the Lord’s passion, death and resurrection, the Easter Mystery. With the Divine Mercy chaplet, we pray, “For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” It is through the merits of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection that we receive his mercy and the grace of eternal life.
If Jesus stood next to people right now, in human form, what do you think he would tell them about his Divine Mercy?
What else is there but Mercy?
Jad Ziolkowska is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
How to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday on April 16
Conditions to receive graces on Divine Mercy Sunday:
1. Sincerely repent of all sins.
2. Place complete trust in Jesus.
3. Go to confession, preferably before Divine Mercy Sunday.
4. Receive Holy Communion on Divine Mercy Sunday or its vigil.
5. Venerate the image of the Divine Mercy (e.g. gesture of deep religious respect toward it).
6. Be merciful to people through actions, words and prayers.
thedivinemercy.org/celebrate/how/essentials
St. Faustina’s prayer to be merciful
Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors’ souls and come to their rescue.
Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors’ needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.
Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor but have
a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.
Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.
Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and
weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor.
Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me.
You Yourself command me to exercise the three degrees of mercy. The first: the act of mercy, of whatever kind. The
second: the word of mercy — if I cannot carry out a work of mercy, I will assist by my words. The third: prayer — if I
cannot show mercy by deeds or words, I can always do so by prayer. My prayer reaches out even there where I cannot reach out physically.
O my Jesus, transform me into yourself, for you can do all things.
(St. Faustina’s diary, 163)
