Parish celebrates MERCY Sunday

19 April 2009 – San Fabian. The Feast of the Divine Mercy was celebrated in the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr this Sunday, joining the whole Church in celebrating this great feast.

This Feast was granted to the Universal Church by Pope John Paul II on the occasion of the canonization of Sr. Faustina on 30 April 2000. In a decree dated 23 May 2000, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments stated that "throughout the world the Second Sunday of Easter will receive the name Divine Mercy Sunday, a perennial invitation to the Christian world to face, with confidence in divine benevolence, the difficulties and trials that mankind will experience in the years to come."

Concerning the Feast of Mercy Jesus said: Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. (Diary300)

The whole of Sunday afternoon was devoted by the Parish for the observance of this great Feast. A Holy Hour in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction was celebrated. While this was being celebrated, the Sacrament of Reconciliation was made available for the hundreds of parishioners and devotees of Divine Mercy. A Holy Mass was celebrated at 4,30 PM.

These were done in accordance to wishes of Jesus when He spoke to St. Faustina: the soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will I contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy. (Diary 699).

The images of the Divine Mercy were blessed after the Mass. This was followed by a procession in honor of The Divine Mercy.

Testimonies from the parishioners were shared regarding how their devotion to the Divine Mercy has greatly affected their lives. Some bore testimonies to the miracles they have received from the great Mercy of God.

(One was about the miracle received by Danny of Barangay Bigbiga. Although, he was not able to give his story, Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the Parish Priest, could attest to the wonderful grace that God has given to Danny).

  

The parishioners joining in the procession during the Feast of The Divine Mercy