Don’t miss out on this powerful opportunity for grace!
Divine Mercy Sunday falls on April 19 this year. How can we earn the supernatural graces attached to this special day with closed churches?
The Fathers of Mercy explain how to gain a plenary indulgence, even if you’re in quarantine.
Listen below:
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Jesus promises in St. Faustina’s Diary, 699:
“On that day, the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the Fount of My Mercy.
“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 graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.”
How can I receive a plenary indulgence with closed churches?
Paragraph 1451-1452 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Among the penitent’s acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is ‘sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again.’
“When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called ‘perfect’ (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.”
With the intention to go to confession and receive communion as soon possible,
1) Make an Act of Contrition:
O my God,
I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins,
because I dread the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell;
but most of all because they offend Thee, my God,
Who are all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace,
to confess my sins, to do penance,
and to amend my life.
Amen.
2) Make a Spiritual Communion:
My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
3) Pray for the Holy Father’s intentions
On Divine Mercy Sunday, pray for the Holy Father’s intentions. Also pray an Our Father and the Creed, as well as a prayer such as “Merciful Jesus, I trust in You.” Receiving the plenary indulgence also requires detachment from all sin.
Fr. Alar suggests also making a prayer like this:
“Lord Jesus Christ, You promised St. Faustina that the soul that has been to Confession [I’m unable, but I made an Act of Contrition] and the soul that receives Holy Communion [I’m unable, but I made a Spiritual Communion] will receive the complete forgiveness of all sins and punishment. Please, Lord Jesus Christ, give me this grace.”
Jesus I trust in you!
[See also: Seal Doorposts With Divine Mercy: A Powerful Form of Protection During Coronavirus Pandemic]
[See also: The Mysterious Meaning of Jesus’ Rays in the Divine Mercy Image, As Revealed by Our Lord]