Divine Mercy Sunday indulgence

[Monica4316]

Hi

Ever since I decided to become Catholic, I’ve been looking forward to the Divine Mercy Sunday. I couldn’t fully participate in it last year, since I couldn’t yet go to Confession or receive the Eucharist. However, this year, I’ll be able to!

But there’s a bit of a problem…

my family is Eastern Orthodox, and this year the Orthodox Easter falls on the same day as Divine Mercy Sunday. (thankfully this isn’t the case every year!) My family is coming with me to the Easter Vigil Mass so it’s only fair that I go with them to the Easter morning liturgy at their church, and celebrate with them. I’d have to go to Mass in the evening and receive the Eucharist then…

but I was wondering two things…

one, when should I go to Confession? It seems that Jesus told St Faustina that we should go to confession on that same day… but I don’t think I’ll be able to this time. I heard that it’s alright to have gone before? What if I go to Confession on Saturday morning?

my other question…

on the EWTN website, it describes how to get the plenary indulgence…

I. The usual conditions for every plenary indulgence:

sacramental confession [according to previously issued norms, within abut 20 days before or after]
Eucharistic communion [according to previously issued norms, preferably on the day, or the days before or after]
prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff [certain prayers are not specified]

II. The specific conditions for this Indulgence

On Divine Mercy Sunday

in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honour of Divine Mercy.

or, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!")

I was really looking forward on going to a “Divine Mercy celebration”, which is I guess what they mean by “prayers and devotions”… it sounds really wonderful! it’s at 2 pm, and there’s going to be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Benediction, the Divine Mercy chaplet, and I think a Mass… and afterwards, in the parish hall, a video about St Faustina. However this year I won’t be able to go cause at that time, I’ll probably be with my family celebrating Easter… I won’t have time to get to the church for 2. (I can’t wait to go next year though!!)

I just wanted to check…would it make sense for me to go to Confession on Saturday, Mass on Sunday evening, and then stay for a while before the Tabernacle and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father and say the Our Father/Creed/prayer to Jesus?



I think I got lost in all the instructions…lol!

btw, I really encourage everyone to participate in Divine Mercy Sunday!! if you’re planning to, what are you going to do for that day?

here’s some more info:
ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/index.htm

I’m planning to also pray the novena, and I recently got a Divine Mercy image to put in my room maybe I’ll get some flowers and candles to decorate it hehe

God bless!!

 

[benedicta00]

hi Monica, aren’t you going to have to make a confession before the vigil? That would cover the requirement.

I’m sorry to hear you can’t go.

 

[brigid12]

Yup, that’s what I plan to do (confession and then Vigil). Actually, you can have gone to confession over a week ahead ewtn.com/expert/expertfaqframe.asp?source=/vexperts/conference.htm