How do you obtain the plenary indulgence on the Feast of Mercy?

To obtain the indulgence, it is necessary to: approach sacramental Confession, receive Holy Communion, pray for the intentions of the Pope, and participate in pious practices in honor of Divine Mercy with a soul totally detached from sin.

When does the Divine Mercy Novena begin?

The Novena begins on Good Friday and concludes on the Saturday of the vigil of the Feast. It is a spiritual preparation dictated by Jesus himself to Saint Faustina.

Is there an app to recite the Chaplet and the Novena?

Yes, on gesumisericordioso.org we highlight a free Android app that allows you to always have the Novena texts and the guide for reciting the Chaplet at your fingertips.

On which day is the Feast of Divine Mercy celebrated?

The Feast is celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Easter, also known as Low Sunday or Divine Mercy Sunday.

Feast of Divine Mercy: History, Promises, and Indulgence

The Feast of Divine Mercy, celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday), represents the heart of the message entrusted by Jesus to Saint Faustina Kowalska. It is not merely a devotional anniversary, but a day of extraordinary grace, a “last hope of salvation” that God offers to humanity.

The Origins: Jesus’ Desire

The establishment of this feast does not stem from a human initiative, but from a precise request by Christ. In her Diary, Sister Faustina records the words of the Savior:

“I desire that the first Sunday after Easter be the Feast of Mercy. […] The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.” (Diary, 699)

Jesus first requested the establishment of this feast in Płock, Poland, in 1931, linking it indissolubly to the image of the Risen Christ with the two rays, red and pale, emanating from the pierced Heart.

When was it officially established?

Immagine originale di Gesù Misericordioso, Vilnius

Although the devotion spread rapidly after the death of Saint Faustina, official recognition arrived decades later.

The first official celebration: It took place in 1934 in Vilnius, when the image of Merciful Jesus was publicly displayed for the first time during the closing triduum of the Jubilee of Redemption.
Universal establishment: It was Saint John Paul II who canonized Sister Faustina on April 30, 2000, and declared during his homily that throughout the world, the Second Sunday of Easter would take the name “Divine Mercy Sunday.”

The Great Promises: The Plenary Indulgence

The distinguishing feature of this feast is the “Great Promise.” Jesus promised the total remission of guilt and punishment (a renewal of baptismal grace) to anyone who:

Goes to Confession (even in the preceding days).
Receives Holy Communion on the day of the Feast.
Practices trust in God and charity toward their neighbor.

How to Prepare for the Feast

Spiritual preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday officially begins on Good Friday with the start of the Novena. Jesus asked Saint Faustina to bring to Him, on each of the nine days, a different group of souls to immerse them in the abyss of His Mercy.

To help the faithful in this prayer journey, today technology places itself at the service of faith: a free Android App dedicated to Merciful Jesus is now available. This tool allows you to always have at your fingertips:

The full text of the Novena for each day.
The guide to reciting the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (ideal for those who want to pray it at 3:00 PM, the Hour of Mercy).
Spiritual content and daily meditations taken from the Diary.

Downloading the application is the simplest way to stay committed to your prayers and to transform your smartphone into a small digital altar, wherever you are.

Why is it important today?

In un mondo ferito e frammentato, la Festa della Misericordia è il richiamo alla speranza. Come scriveva San Giovanni Paolo II:

“Non c’è altro rifugio per l’uomo che la Misericordia di Dio”.