As a spiritual preparation for the Second Sunday of Easter, the Sunday of Divine Mercy, a group of Little Sisters, Residents and volunteers gathered together in the chapel for a novena of days to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet. To assist us in our prayer, we listened to a cd with both recited and sung versions of the chaplet. On the Tuesday after Easter, we were blessed to have Brother Thaddeus Lancton, MIC from the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts join us to give a conference on the message of Divine Mercy as revealed to St. Faustina Kowalska, the apostle of Divine Mercy. Brother Thaddeus is a seminarian of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. We had heard him speak at a nearby parish mission and had asked if he could come speak at our home during the novena. The novitiate community and Little Sisters and Residents from Totowa and the Bronx were able to be here as well and it was hard to find an empty seat in the chapel. In his talk Brother Thaddeus eloquently explained in detail the Divine Mercy, “Jesus I Trust in You,” image, the Divine Mercy chaplet, the Feast of Mercy and the life and mission of St. Faustina. In speaking of the image, Brother said that we are called to respond to the Lord with complete trust and with works of mercy. He remarked that the Divine Mercy chaplet is a special prayer offered for the intentions of Our Lord and one especially essential for the spread of the culture of life. Brother Thaddeus will continue his studies this fall in Washington, DC.
Have any of you attended Sunday Mass at Queen of Peace lately? Well, be sure to come on Sunday at 10:45 a.m. and hear the new choir. During our celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday our residents’ choir appeared for the first time in their new royal blue choir robes. The choir is made up of residents, Little Sisters and friends. The Residents practice every Sunday before Mass and sometimes on Saturday too. We practice new hymns but the preference is for the old favorites. So be sure to come and pray with us. Remember, singing is praying twice! This Sunday we were happy to sing together the glories of our risen and merciful Lord!
For more information on Divine Mercy, please visit: http://thedivinemercy.org/index.php
Above: The image of Divine Mercy used for the novena; The Residents’ choir in their new choir robes pose before Mass
Divine Mercy Sunday