Prompted by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in response to the New Evangelization, Divine Mercy for America is an initiative driven to radically increase awareness of and devotion to Jesus, The Divine Mercy as a sure means of providing great benefit to souls in our country and those throughout “the whole world.”

Why Divine Mercy for America?

Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938) did her best to do as the Lord commanded, keeping a diary during the last four years of her life. Several times she recorded that Jesus requested prayers and entreaties for her country. She was shown how these efforts not only appeased God’s anger, but also resulted in blessings. Jesus also gifted us with several specific promises attached to devotion to His mercy that have been changing the lives of countless souls since they were first revealed to St. Faustina. It is through trust in this message and these promises that we, too, can grow in holiness and become empowered to save souls and our country.

A Response to the “Signs of the Times”

Divine Mercy for America responds to the “signs of the times” by tracing out a path for people of faith, particularly Catholic Christians, to follow in the footsteps of Saint Faustina by employing the same prayers, promises and sacrifices for America that she offered the Lord for Poland. But, as encouraged by Pope Benedict XVI, we must also strive to make our relationship with Christ the Lord increasingly firm so that like Saint Faustina, we may become ever better living vessels of Christ – truly pleasing to God in deed, word, and prayer.

Nurturing Personal Holiness

For America to be strong and holy we must nurture personal holiness. We must accept this time of grace and enter the school of St. Faustina where we may also acquire “the art of living in the spirit of childlike trust toward God and mercy toward neighbor” through these simple means:

• Spiritual reading and daily meditation
• Reflecting on the mysteries of the rosary
• Meditating on the Passion of Christ
• Participating in retreats
• Fervent celebration of the Holy Eucharist
• Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament
• Sincere and frequent confession
• Pondering and perceiving all the good that God has placed in the world and in our personal lives

Praying for Our Country as St. Faustina Prayed for Hers

Individuals, families, prayer groups and entire parishes can offer the Lord these following pious practices for our country as Saint Faustina was asked to do by Jesus for Poland:

• Closely uniting ourselves to Jesus during the Sacrifice of the Mass continually offering His Blood and wounds to the Father in expiation for sins. Saint Faustina was to do this for seven days (cf. 39).
• Making a novena of the recitation of the Litany of the Saints (cf. 59).
• Offering sufferings and prayers throughout the day (cf. 818).
• Prayer, prayer and more prayer (cf. 325).
• Making a novena of Holy Communions (cf. 325).
• Praying the Chaplet of Mercy in community for nine days in the chapel (cf. 714).

Trusting the Promises of Jesus, The Divine Mercy

Jesus told St. Faustina; “The graces of My mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is – trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive” (Diary, 1578).

Recognizing our human weaknesses and sins, God is always ready to pour out His mercy upon us. Divine Mercy for America seeks to take full advantage of the gifts of grace and mercy available through devotion to The Divine Mercy and faith in His promises.

The Feast of Mercy

Saint Faustina recorded 14 revelations concerning our Lord’s desire that this feast formally be established and celebrated the first Sunday after Easter each year. In Diary entry 699 Jesus tells us: “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.”

At the canonization of St. Faustina on April 30, 2000, Pope St. John Paul II made the proclamation for the establishment of this feast. Later that night he said it was the happiest day of his life! No doubt, it was because of the great promises this day holds in store for all who approach the Fount of Mercy for themselves, their families, friends, and the whole world.

“The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day are opened all the divine floodgates through which graces flow.”

The Feast of Mercy offers us an opportunity to be completely cleansed in the Blood of the Lamb, totally reconciling us with the Father. We are made fresh and new. But “oceans of grace” are available not only for our spiritual needs but also for our temporal needs such as good jobs or grades, help with finances and relationships, good health, and world peace. Celebrating this feast with contrite hearts, faith, and trust, we can participate in the salvation of souls.

The Image of The Divine Mercy

In 1931, Our Lord appeared to Saint Faustina and told her to have an image painted as she saw Him with the signature, “Jesus, I trust in You” (327). Jesus requested that this image be “venerated throughout the world” (47) and promised that it would be the source of great graces for souls and protect homes and cities where it was honored. Diary entry 570 promises and directs us:

Enthroning and venerating the image of Jesus in our homes, parishes, Catholic schools, hospitals, and workplaces is one sure way to bring Christ into our very midst. Billboards and banners in public view bless all who pass by. Blessed holy cards and framed images given to family and friends as gifts can be the source of conversion, reconciliation, and healing of all kinds. Working to distribute, venerate, and spread the knowledge of this Image’s power and glory will bless America with Divine Mercy.

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a prayer of intercession prayed on ordinary rosary beads in as little as ten minutes, yet in Diary entry 1541 Jesus tells St. Faustina; “My daughter, encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given you. It pleases Me to grant everything they ask of Me by saying the chaplet. When hardened sinners say it, I will fill their souls with peace, and the hour of death will be a happy one.”

Jesus asked St. Faustina to pray the chaplet unceasingly and incessantly, and especially for the sick and dying. He continues, “When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the Merciful Savior.”

Prayerful recitation or singing of the chaplet is a privilege we should embrace daily – as often as possible – for it can make a difference to souls for all eternity.

The Hour of Great Mercy

Every day we can obtain great graces for souls, particularly poor sinners, by immersing ourselves in the Passion of Jesus at the three o’clock hour. “At that moment [mercy] was opened wide for every soul. In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking. I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My passion” (1572, 1320). Let not one day go by without recalling the suffering and death of Our Lord, placing ourselves at the foot of the Cross, begging mercy for us and the whole world. Jesus will hear us and answer our prayers. This is His promise and this is our hope!

Prayer for Divine Mercy for America

May Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, protect and guide the Divine Mercy for America Campaign to help bring about the re-Christianization of our nation – one that respects the dignity of all life, upholds the sanctity of traditional marriage and families, and eliminates the threat to our religious freedom – for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
+ Bishop Emeritus Rene H. Gracida

May God Bless America!