A Time of Grace for the Whole World
Truly in need of great miracles and blessings for our country and families, the Lord in His mercy and generosity extends to us great promises to help us obtain them every day, particularly at the three o’clock hour. Three o’clock in the afternoon is the hour we recall the Lord’s death and the outpouring of His mercy. (link to URL for 3. Action Plan a. Nurture Personal Holiness iv Meditating on the Passion) Saint Faustina recorded these directives of Jesus:
At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. (Diary, 1320)
I remind you, My daughter, that as often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners; for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul. (1572)
Three O’Clock Hour Promises
Jesus promised more than once to handsomely reward our devotion to the hour of His death. Saint Faustina recorded His words of mercy and hope:
In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion. (1320)
In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking. (1572)
These are powerful promises that we must not overlook or fail to take advantage of. They can be used to bring about the re-Christianization of our nation, an end to all kinds of sin and evil in our families, community, and world. The Lord died for the salvation of souls. This is our opportunity to share God’s plan of redemption. Let us pray for the grace to not let one day go by without recalling the suffering and death of Our Lord at the three o’clock hour, placing ourselves at the foot of the Cross, begging mercy for us, for our country, and for the whole world.
How to Honor the Hour
The Lord makes it clear that the three o’clock hour is an extremely holy hour and so it follows that the more time we can set aside for prayer and meditation during this time the better. Yet, no matter our duties, the Lord gave specific instructions as to how to best honor this hour:
My daughter, try your best to make the Stations of the Cross in this hour, provided that your duties permit it; and if you are not able to make the Stations of the Cross, then at least step into the chapel for a moment and adore, in the Blessed Sacrament, My Heart, which is full of mercy; and should you be unable to step into the chapel, immerse yourself in prayer there where you happen to be, if only for a very brief instant. (1572)
We should try to honor this holy time every day as best as our station in life permits. No matter where we are, how much time we have, or what we doing, we should all be able to stop for a “very brief instant” of prayer. There are many aids available to help us make the Stations of the Cross whether we are able to do so in a church or at home or even driving in our cars. Two excellent resources for making the Stations of the Cross are St. Faustina’s Way of the Cross Audio CD and the booklet Way of the Cross-National Shrine of The Divine Mercy.
If we are unable to go to a chapel to visit the Blessed Sacrament, perhaps we can pray before an Image of The Divine Mercy in the home or office and spiritually unite ourselves with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Wristwatches and cell phones may be set to remind us of this special time of grace. A jog of the memory can turn coffee breaks into chaplet breaks and carpooling time into prayer time. Catholic school after-care programs and study halls can also foster prayer and devotion during this time. However great or small, we may be sure that all devotion directed toward Jesus with love during this time will reap rewards for the Lord said:
It was the hour of grace for the whole world – mercy triumphed over justice. (157)
All references to Diary: Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M, Stockbridge, MA 01263. All rights reserved. www.marian.org
