Divine Mercy Mass

[TomK]

Well, after having read the thread about the bent-armed crozier, all I can say is please have mercy on me, a new member!

This past Sunday, we attended Mass at our parish. Then loaded the five and nine-year-olds in the car, and drove them through pouring rain to go to the cathedral for the Divine Mercy.

What we saw was a repeat of the morning’s mass. The only difference noted were the picture of the Divine Mercy (which wasn’t displayed during the chaplet that preceded the Mass).

I dunno why but we were all expecting something special (although listening to a decent choir was a treat). I ended up caving in and leaving after Mass.

Is it a requirement that the Mass of the Divine Mercy ony be held at cathedrals? Frankly, nearly two hours of pouring rain and whining children really made me question the worth of attending next year. (Plenary indulgence aside.)

 

[RCMom]

Our “Divine Mercy” mass was not at a Cathedral. In fact, it was at a teeny, tiny little church that was not very conducive to my 6month old and 22 month old and their “participation.” It was the same readings, but the homily focused on JPII, his role in instituting Divine Mercy Sunday, and then a discussion on how we are also called to perform acts of mercy with a story of one example. Prior to mass we had Adoration and Confessions for 2 hours, and then Benediction right before mass began. There was a large picture of the Divine Mercy, but one was also present at my regular church, which did not have a specific Divine Mercy celebration. I posted earlier asking if attending a specific mass was necessary. I should have asked my priest, but did not have the chance. I think as long as you attend mass, show reverence to the picture, receive Holy Eucharist, and go to confession, along with the chaplet, you perform the necessary requirements for the indulgance. I am not positive on this though, so you might want to double check with your priest. ANother sugestion would be to ask your priest to have a Divine Mercy mass at your home parish.

J

 

[lovelavender]

I went to mass on Divine Mercy Sunday morning. It was a regular mass, although I think the priest talked about it during his homily.

But later in the day at 2:30, there were about 3 churches in my area (not even cathedrals) that held Divine Mercy prayer services. It wasn’t a mass. We said some prayers, recited the chaplet of Divine Mercy. They also had benediction. It was a different service altogether…I really liked it. I took my kids and they were pretty cool about going to chuch “twice” as they said it.

 

[TomK]

I was told that our bishop wanted to gather us at the cathedral. But what puzzled me is he was no where to be seen.

 

[chicago]

Every Mass everywhere on that day is a Mass of Divine Mercy Sunday. And you can gain the grace by going to a local parish just as well as going to some special celebration at a cathedral or wherever. It’s just that some places are having particular commemorations to emphasize the day’s signifigance.

 

[Cherub]

At my parish, the Divine Mercy was between 1:30 and 3:30 Sunday afternoon. The earlier in the day (or previous evening vigil) Communion met that part of the requirement. We gathered outside the church and processed in, singing a litany as we walked. When we were inside, the picture of the Divine Mercy was on an aisle at the foot of the altar. The priest incensed the image and began the opening prayers, then he treated us to a speech explaining the origin of the Divine Mercy, some details of the life and mysticism of Sister Faustina, and why it is so important that we practice this devotion. The priest then exposed the Host for us in the monstrance.
Another priest was there, and after the talk, they both went into confessionals to hear our confessions. Then, after everyone had gone to confession, we all prayed the chaplet together, and then the Host was replaced in the tabernacle. This was just the parish church, not the cathedral. Very lovely.