USA, Stockbridge\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div> April 11, 2012<\/p>\n<\/div> PRESS RELEASE DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY WEEKEND WILL DRAW OVER\u00a018,000 Where:<\/b>\u00a0The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, Stockbridge, Mass. WE WELCOME ALL MEDIA WHO MAY WISH TO ATTEND THE WEEKEND.<\/p>\n STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. \u2014 More than 18,000\u00a0people are expected to attend the annual Divine Mercy Sunday Weekend festivities this Saturday and Sunday, April\u00a014-15, at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, the home of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. The annual event is hosted by the Marian Fathers, who are well known for their promotion of The Divine Mercy message.<\/p>\n An international broadcast of The Marian Fathers\u2019 celebration will air on the EWTN global cable network beginning at\u00a012:00\u00a0p.m.\u00a0EST with a one-hour program preceding the celebration. Featured guests are Ralph Martin, Christina Klein, and Terry Barber. The program will be followed by a solemn Mass at\u00a01:00\u00a0p.m. and conclude with the singing of the Divine Mercy Chaplet at\u00a03:00\u00a0p.m., recognized as the hour that Jesus died on the cross.<\/p>\n Ralph Martin is the president of Renewal Ministries, an organization devoted to Catholic renewal and evangelization. Renewal Ministries is the sponsor of \u201cThe Choices We Face,\u201d a widely viewed weekly Catholic television and radio program distributed throughout the world. The organization also engages in a wide variety of mission work in more than 30\u00a0countries.<\/p>\n Christina Klein is a graduate of Bowling Green State University and resides in Columbus, Ohio where she has been active over the past six years serving in the Columbus Diocese. She is the founder of the Columbus Catholic Women\u2019s Conference, which has been attended by over 7,000 women since its inception in\u00a02008. Christina is also the vice president for St.\u00a0Gabriel Catholic Radio, where she is the host of \u201cFrom the Chair with Bishop Campbell.\u201d<\/p>\n Terry Barber is the founder of Saint Joseph Communications, the Catholic Resource Center, and Lighthouse Catholic Media. He is a co-host for \u201cReasons for Faith Live with Jesse Romero\u201d on the EWTN Radio Network. Saint Joseph Communications is one of the largest international Catholic audio and video production and distribution companies in the United States. Terry is a pioneer in lay Catholic evangelization with more than 30\u00a0years experience.<\/p>\n Throughout the weekend, the 350-acre Divine Mercy Shrine campus is transformed into a small city providing a rich, spiritual experience to pilgrims visiting from throughout the world. Translators providing assistance in Spanish, Polish, Italian, French, and Tagalog are among the more than 600\u00a0volunteers on site throughout the weekend to assist with a myriad of responsibilities, ranging from overseeing parking to receiving prayer intentions and staffing the outdoor shrines and the grotto.<\/p>\n Of particular interest at this year\u2019s Divine Mercy Sunday celebration is the international debut on the EWTN telecast of HAPP, Hearts Afire Parish-based Programs for the New Evangelization. Developed by Association of Marian Helpers Director Fr.\u00a0Michael Gaitley,\u00a0MIC, this unique program provides a fresh and supportive approach to parish-based faith renewal involving small groups. Since becoming director, Fr.\u00a0Gaitley has identified the need for faith-renewal programs in parishes. He will introduce HAPP on EWTN.<\/p>\n Unfolding in stages, the program involves a series of books, leader guides and retreat companions designed to teach, inspire, and reignite a love of God and neighbor among parishioners. Its uniqueness is underscored by the availability of direct support from the Association of Marian Helpers to parish groups as they engage in the three-stage group-retreat and study program. Two of Fr.\u00a0Gaitley\u2019s books from the HAPP program,\u00a033\u00a0Days to Morning Glory<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0Consoling the Heart of Jesus<\/i>\u00a0have consistently received high praise for their popular, engaging, and creative approach to evangelization.<\/p>\n Anyone is welcome to attend Divine Mercy Sunday Weekend. The Marian Fathers extend a warm invitation to everyone to come to Eden Hill in Stockbridge to experience this annual celebration. There is no charge for admission. This event is also an enriching experience for ministry groups, Confirmation candidates, and any religious education classes, grades\u00a09-11, to observe and share in the devotion of thousands of pilgrims.<\/p>\n In addition to its annual celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday, the National Shrine sponsors a variety of events and guest speakers throughout the year. Scheduled for Sunday, April\u00a029 at\u00a03:45\u00a0p.m. is a presentation by Sr.\u00a0Marie Simon-Pierre Normand. She will share her testimony of a miraculous healing through the intercession of Blessed John Paul\u00a0II, which came two months after his death. Sister Marie Simon-Pierre\u2019s healing was recognized as the miracle needed for John Paul\u00a0II\u2019s beatification. There is no charge for the presentation. More information on this event and Divine Mercy Sunday can be obtained at\u00a0www.thedivinemercy.org\/shrine<\/a>.<\/p>\n For media wishing to use pictures of recent Divine Mercy Sunday celebrations, go to\u00a0www.thedivinemercy.org\/media<\/a>.<\/p>\n For the most up-to-date information, call 413-298-3931 or e-mail\u00a0mercysunday@marian.org<\/a>. If you plan to cover Divine Mercy Sunday Weekend, you will need to show your credentials to park on the Marians’ Eden Hill property. Once on the grounds, please come to the Media Tent located across from the Marian Monastery for your access pass.<\/i><\/p>\n Divine Mercy Sunday Fact Sheet<\/b><\/p>\n What is Divine Mercy Sunday?<\/b> But why did Jesus want Divine Mercy Sunday to be held in such high regard by His people?<\/b> What are those promises and graces and how must we prepare for this feast?<\/b> As to the special graces and promises, Christ told St.\u00a0Faustina:<\/p>\n “I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My mercy” (Diary,<\/i>\u00a01109).<\/p>\n “Whoever approaches the Fount of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment” (Diary,<\/i>\u00a0300).<\/p>\n “The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion will obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment” (Diary,<\/i>\u00a0699).<\/p>\n When did Divine Mercy Sunday become an official feast day for the universal Church?<\/b> What is the significance of the image of The Divine Mercy?<\/b> But what does the image “mean”?<\/b> We know how Pope John Paul\u00a0II felt about the message of Divine Mercy. But what does his successor think about it?<\/b> Didn\u2019t Pope Benedict\u00a0XVI declare John Paul\u00a0II blessed on May\u00a01,\u00a02011, which was Divine Mercy Sunday last year?<\/b> Who are the Marians?<\/b> Learn more about the Shrine at\u00a0thedivinemercy.org\/shrine<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>USA: Divine Mercy Sunday Weekend Will Draw Over 18,000 Pilgrims to Stockbridge April 14-15<\/h1><\/div>
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\nApril 11, 2012
\nContact: David Came, Editor, 413-298-1320
\ndcame@marian.org<\/a><\/p>\n
\nPILGRIMS TO STOCKBRIDGE APRIL 14-15\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
\nWhat:<\/b>\u00a0News and feature story opportunities for Divine Mercy Sunday Weekend.
\nWhen:<\/b>\u00a0April 14-15 (Divine Mercy Sunday Weekend)<\/p>\n
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\nAlso known as “The Feast of Mercy,” Divine Mercy Sunday marks the Second Sunday of Easter (also the “Octave Day” of Easter) and the fulfillment of one of our Lord’s most imperative requests made to the Polish mystic, St.\u00a0Faustina Kowalska, in a series of revelations in the\u00a01930s. The Lord’s will with regard to the feast day’s establishment was already made known in His first revelation to the saint, which she recorded in her now-famous\u00a0Diary<\/i>. In all, there were 14\u00a0revelations concerning the desired feast. “The Feast of Mercy,” He said, “emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My mercy” (Diary<\/i>,\u00a0699).<\/p>\n
\nIn short, the main reason Jesus wanted this feast to be established is that He wanted to “throw a lifeline,” so to speak, to souls who are perishing, souls who are drowning in sin and despair. That lifeline is this feast, with all the tremendous promises of graces and benefits that Jesus attached to it.<\/p>\n
\nThis is how we are to prepare:
\n1. Go to confession, preferably during the Lenten season.
\n2. Receive Holy Communion on the feast day.<\/p>\n
\nPope John Paul II made the surprise announcement of this change in his homily at the canonization of St.\u00a0Faustina on April\u00a030,\u00a02000. There, he declared: “It is important then that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on this Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church,\u00a0will be called ‘Divine Mercy Sunday.’<\/i>\u00a0”<\/p>\n
\nThe image of Jesus, The Divine Mercy, is to have a special place of honor on the Feast of Mercy, a visual reminder of all that Jesus did for us through His Passion, death, and Resurrection \u2026 and a reminder, too, of what He asks of us in return \u2014 to trust Him and be merciful to others: “I want the Image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it” (Diary<\/i>,\u00a0341).<\/p>\n
\nThe Image of The Divine Mercy represents the risen Christ. These two rays signify the Sacraments of mercy (Baptism and Penance or Reconciliation, and the Eucharist). The Eucharist is the blood of souls, carrying life-sustaining food for our spiritual journey. The water points to the Sacraments of Baptism and Penance, in that through these Sacraments, our souls are washed clean.<\/p>\n
\nWith unmistakable clarity, Pope Benedict\u00a0XVI underscores the words of his predecessor. He has said, “Mercy is the central nucleus of the Gospel message.”<\/p>\n
\nYes, he did, describing the date chosen for the beatification as \u201cvery significant\u201d and emphasizing how Pope John Paul\u00a0II died on the vigil of the feast day in\u00a02005.<\/p>\n
\nThe Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception have been, since\u00a01941, the authentic promoters of The Divine Mercy message and devotion. Their U.S. apostolic center is located at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. In\u00a01993, Pope John Paul\u00a0II gave the Marian Congregation a special mandate: “Be Apostles of Divine Mercy under the maternal and loving guidance of Mary.”<\/p>\nOther news<\/h2><\/div>