Into the Depths of Divine Mercy with St. Faustina (Day 1)

18 April 2025

The Origin of the Novena:

On Good Friday in 1937, Jesus appeared to St. Faustina Kowalska, a quiet Polish nun, asking her to begin a novena of mercy. Over nine days, He revealed to her His aching desire — that no soul, no matter how lost, should feel beyond His love. Each day, He invited Faustina to pray for a different group of souls, gathering them into the refuge of His Heart.

This was not just a prayer. It was a lifeline for the wounded, a healing balm for the world. And Jesus promised: those who pray this novena with trust would receive unfathomable graces.

Intention: All mankind, especially all sinners. (Diary 1210)

"Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me."

Prayer: Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflection:

Day One begins not with saints or the faithful — but with sinners. With us. With those who feel furthest from light. In Diary 699, Jesus pleads: “Let the sinner not be afraid to approach Me.” He doesn't demand perfection. He opens His Heart and calls to the broken, the weary, the ashamed.

St. Faustina understood: the deeper the wound, the more fiercely Jesus longs to heal it. Jesus does not measure worthiness. He pours out mercy where the world would offer none.

Today, He asks us to do the same. To lay aside our judgments. To remember our own need. To stretch our hearts to love the one we find hardest to love.

Reflective Questions:

1. When have I felt furthest from God and most in need of mercy?

2. Do I truly believe that no soul is beyond redemption, even the ones who’ve hurt me?

3. How do I react when others stumble or fall — with compassion or criticism?

✝️ Mercy Challenge:

Think of someone you've quietly written off. Maybe it’s someone you’ve judged, misunderstood, or struggled to forgive. Say a prayer for them by name. Or take one small action — a kind word, a note, a hidden act of love — to remind your heart that mercy always begins with you.

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet:

https://catholicconnectin.page.link/Ds4C

By Catholic Connect Reporter