Eastern Catholics celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday?

[Alexander_Roman]

I’m wondering if anyone here celebrates the Divine Mercy feast day. And if you can, as an Eastern Catholic? thankshttp://www.spgames.info/g.gif

I like the Divine Mercy chaplet and have prayed it with my wife who also likes it. There is no liturgical or other reason for an Eastern Catholic to celebrate the Latin liturgical feast of Divine Mercy Sunday.

Alex

 

[Monica4316]

I have been to a Divine Mercy prayer group on a weekday, and to a Divine Mercy Mass, and I am eastern Catholic. However, it is to be the Sunday after Easter. That translates to, for Byzantine, Thomas Sunday. Divine Mercy Sunday is part of the Roman Calendar not used by the Byzantines. It seems more in keeping with eastern traditions to worship with your eastern community, when possible, and use the appropriate calendar.

I don’t have a parish of my own rite anywhere around me, I’m Russian Catholic and the closest is Ukrainian Catholic, I often go to the Latin rite parish. (that’s why my spirituality is very Latin).

For me, Easter would be according to the old calendar, on the 14th, that’s the Russian Catholic Easter I think…?

If your desire is to obtain a plenary indulgence through the Church, it is possible to have that with a half hour of devout reading of the scriptures (an approved text) plus the usual conditions for a plenary indulgence, or even the Akathist or suitable portion (such as occurs on the fifth Friday of Lent, or Akathist Saturday.
piercedhearts.org/treasures/devotions/other_prayers/akathistos.htm

Toparion of Thomas Sunday
Though the tomb had been sealed, O Life, from the grave you arose, O Christ our God. Though the door had been locked, you appeared among the disciples, O Resurrection of All. Through them you renewed an upright spirit in us according to your great mercy.
Kontakion of Thomas Sunday
With his probing right hand, Thomas searched your lifegiving side, O Christ our God. When you entered, although the doors were locked, he cried out to you with the other apostles: You are my Lord and my God.

thanks for the info… but can i receive the plenary indulgence on Divine Mercy Sunday simply by receiving Communion that day? (whether at Mass or Eastern Catholic liturgy), - and also following the other guidelines for indulgences.

Because Jesus specifically told Sister Faustina how he wanted Divine Mercy Sunday to be the Sunday after Easter, and he also wants us to follow our Church rules, that really puts you in a tough spot, doesnt it? Can you save enough for a cab ride? Or ask someone else who is planning on going to Divine Mercy Sunday mass to pick you up and you can chip in on gas? I would go to both if possible.

I would like to go to both as well, unfortunately I don’t have enough money for a cab ride as I’m between jobs at the moment. I might get a ride to Divine Mercy Mass though. I’m not sure about Eastern Catholic liturgy, it depends on when my family goes to their church - for the vigil, or Sunday morning. If they go Sunday morning, I’ll try to go to the Eastern Catholic vigil if they have it…

Unfortunately not all Eastern Catholic parishes celebrate Pascha on the old calendar. It’s nice the parish in your area does. Is your family going to the traditional Pascha service close to midnight on Sat. night 4/14? On Sunday morning 4/15 we won’t have any service in my parish and Russian Orthodox here won’t either. It would be nice to go to Orthodox Pascha Sat. night with your family. You can go to the Divine Mercy on Sunday in your Latin Church.

I spoke to my priest and the advice I got was to only go to the Eastern Orthodox church if I don’t really have a choice. That’s a good point about the vigil - I didn’t realize this - I’ll have to check the schedule. If my family is going to the vigil, then I can probably go to the Eastern Catholic liturgy the next morning, I read on their website that it’s happening there.

I’m sorry you haven’t been able to connect with people in the ECC parish who are able to give you a ride to those services. On the other hand it has seemed like you prefer the Roman Rite and there is no reason for you to go to an EC Church except if you want to do so.

I think I’m more ‘Latin’ but I haven’t officially switched. I don’t really know anyone in the EC parish except the priest, who I spoke to once.

Exactly - if an individual Eastern Christian has a private devotion to Divine Mercy there is no reason why they can’t take some time to pray the chaplet of divine mercy on the Latin Church’s Divine Mercy Sunday (more traditionally known as the Second Sunday of Easter) or even, as far as I know, obtain the indulgence associated with the day/devotion. For the Eastern Christian, it would be strictly a personal devotion and not a participation in the liturgical life of his or her particular Church.

I understand

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Hello,

You might know about Divine Mercy Sunday that will be celebrated in the Catholic Church on the 15th.

I believe you mean Roman Catholic Church.

Also I believe that Divine Mercy Sunday is an option for the 2nd Sunday of Easter. My missalette says “2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy)” for that day.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

As I understand OP she is referring to the date the Divine Mercy falls on the Latin Church Calendar, April 14 this year, which would be our Pascha rather than Thomas Sunday.

The local UGCC prays the Stations of the Cross in their temple and pray the rosary out loud in the temple, not as a private devotion, so I would not be surprised to find they in someway celebrate Divine Mercy. This local UGCC does not follow the old calendar for Pascha, so for that parish Divine Mercy Sunday on the Latin calendar would fall, as you indicate, on Thomas Sunday for that ECC. However according to what OP writes here, the ECC near her and her parents Orthodox Church share the same calendar for Pascha, April 14…

What about us Byzantine Catholics who are on the same date as the Roman Church?

Not all Eastern Catholic Churches celebrate Pascha with the orthodox.

 

[Monica4316]

As I understand OP she is referring to the date the Divine Mercy falls on the Latin Church Calendar, April 14 this year, which would be our Pascha rather than Thomas Sunday.

The local UGCC prays the Stations of the Cross in their temple and pray the rosary out loud in the temple, not as a private devotion, so I would not be surprised to find they in someway celebrate Divine Mercy. This local UGCC does not follow the old calendar for Pascha, so for that parish Divine Mercy Sunday on the Latin calendar would fall, as you indicate, on Thomas Sunday for that ECC. However according to what OP writes here, the ECC near her and her parents Orthodox Church share the same calendar for Pascha, April 14…

that is my understanding because on the Eastern Catholic calendar, it says they are celebrating Easter on the 14th.

The Sunday after Pascha is ALWAYS Thomas Sunday , whether it coincides with the Gregorian Calendar Easter or not.

This year for me, Easter is on the 14th… (I think). That is also the Divine Mercy feast day in the Latin rite.

I’m sure it has been discussed before about the importing of Latin devotions into the Eastern Catholic churches.

Im not importing devotions into the Eastern church… It’s a private devotion

As I understand it the ECs have plenty of para liturgical devotions of their own which should be used rather than importing something , for which there is no objection for private use , but these imported Latin devotions should not be public ones.

Yes we are aware that many have come in in the past , but there is really no need to increase their number .

I understand, like i said, it’s a private devotion. I was asking if Eastern Catholics can have this private devotion.

If the OP wishes to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday - then she should make up her mind whether she is an RC or an EC - mixing and matching leads to confusion - as she is well aware.

I can’t really just decide. I was placed into the EC automatically when I converted. I’d like to switch I guess, just because I don’t even live near a parish of my rite, and my spirituality is more Latin, but the priests I spoke to advised me to wait and see. I’m trying to follow the fast and calendar of the Eastern church but like I said, I don’t live near a Russian Catholic parish so it’s not always easy doing everything else

Monica4316 said before that she is of the Russian Catholic Church. They do not have a jurisdiction in the USA. They are under the care of a bishop of the Latin or another Church sui iuris. That means she can use the Latin calendar. The feasts should be celebrated in a Catholic Church, unless morally impossible.

The CCEO states:

Canon 403

1. With due regard for the right and obligation to preserve everywhere their own rite, lay persons have the right to participate actively in the liturgical celebrations of any Church sui iuris whatsoever, according to the norms of the liturgical books.
2. If the necessity of the Church and genuine advantage so recommend, and when sacred ministers are lacking, certain functions of the sacred ministers may be committed to lay persons, according to the norms of law.

Canon 883

1. The Christian faithful who are outside the territorial boundaries of their own Church sui iuris can adopt fully for themselves the feast days and days of penance which are in force where they are staying.
2. In families in which the parents are enrolled in different Churches sui iuris, it is permitted to observe the norms of one or the other Church, in regard to feast days and days of penance.

hmm… interesting. I was told before I need to follow Eastern fasts and calendar. But this canon seems to be saying I can follow the Latin ones. More things to discuss with a priest I guess

 

[Monica4316]

Yes - but why do Roman Catholics insist on wishing to impose their liturgical feasts (even those approved as private revelations) on Eastern Catholics? I’m not saying that this was a conscious determination - but the question suggests that there is something somehow lacking in us not celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday.

No… I just wanted to ask if an Eastern Catholic MAY celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, as a private devotion, or if that’s not allowed or something.

I believe you mean Roman Catholic Church.

Also I believe that Divine Mercy Sunday is an option for the 2nd Sunday of Easter. My missalette says “2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy)” for that day.

Yes, second Sunday of Easter is the Divine Mercy Sunday according to the Latin rite calendar

 

[Monica4316]

Question… is it somehow wrong or disrespectful to celebrate both feast days of Easter, etc? For example… I go to a Latin rite parish a lot so I’d like to go to their Easter Mass this weekend, and Good Friday as well. But then when my rite’s Easter comes, the week after, I’d like to celebrate that too also because my family celebrates it then. I understand there’s only one time that Jesus died and rose again. I’m not at all trying to imply that it happened twice or something. But can a person still celebrate both calendars, just because they’re in this confusing situation? I know people might advise me to switch rites, etc. I’m looking into that and it’s taking me time and I need to speak with a priest about it. I did and I was advised to not switch just now. But - meanwhile, is this something I could do?

 

[Hesychios]

Question… is it somehow wrong or disrespectful to celebrate both feast days of Easter, etc? For example… I go to a Latin rite parish a lot so I’d like to go to their Easter Mass this weekend, and Good Friday as well. But then when my rite’s Easter comes, the week after, I’d like to celebrate that too also because my family celebrates it then. I understand there’s only one time that Jesus died and rose again. I’m not at all trying to imply that it happened twice or something. But can a person still celebrate both calendars, just because they’re in this confusing situation? I know people might advise me to switch rites, etc. I’m looking into that and it’s taking me time and I need to speak with a priest about it. I did and I was advised to not switch just now. But - meanwhile, is this something I could do?

If you want to, just do it!

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Yes, second Sunday of Easter is the Divine Mercy Sunday according to the Latin rite calendar

Sorry to disagree with you but the Ordo I have lists it as this.

15 Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)

There is nothing special listed within the Ordo that would make this Sunday any different so I am guessing that it is only a name thing. I will look in the Missal tomorrow to see if there is anything that is special but I do not think there is.

 

[Vico]

…
thanks for the info… but can i receive the plenary indulgence on Divine Mercy Sunday simply by receiving Communion that day? (whether at Mass or Eastern Catholic liturgy), - and also following the other guidelines for indulgences…

Yes, all indulgences are available to any Catholic eastern or Latin It could also be a partial indulgence, if something is lacking (like Holy Eucharist or Holy Confession, or perfect contrition, or vocal prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father), other than grace.

Three conditions for the plenary indulgence

And so the Supreme Pontiff, motivated by an ardent desire to foster in Christians this devotion to Divine Mercy as much as possible in the hope of offering great spiritual fruit to the faithful, in the Audience granted on 13 June 2002, to those Responsible for the Apostolic Penitentiary, granted the following Indulgences:

a *plenary indulgence, *granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on the Second Sunday of Easter or 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 who, 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!");

A partial indulgence, granted to the faithful who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation.

For those who cannot go to church or the seriously ill

In addition, sailors working on the vast expanse of the sea; the countless brothers and sisters, whom the disasters of war, political events, local violence and other such causes have been driven out of their homeland; the sick and those who nurse them, and all who for a just cause cannot leave their homes or who carry out an activity for the community which cannot be postponed, may obtain a plenary indulgence on Divine Mercy Sunday, if totally detesting any sin, as has been said before, and with the intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three usual conditions, will recite the *Our Father *and the *Creed *before a devout image of Our Merciful Lord Jesus and, in addition, pray a devout invocation to the Merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you).

If it is impossible that people do even this, on the same day they may obtain the Plenary Indulgence if with a spiritual intention they are united with those carrying out the prescribed practice for obtaining the Indulgence in the usual way and offer to the Merciful Lord a prayer and the sufferings of their illness and the difficulties of their lives, with the resolution to accomplish as soon as possible the three conditions prescribed to obtain the plenary indulgence.

vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_doc_20020629_decree-ii_en.html

 

[5Loaves]

What about us Byzantine Catholics who are on the same date as the Roman Church?

Not all Eastern Catholic Churches celebrate Pascha with the orthodox.

However according to what OP writes here, the ECC near her and her parents Orthodox Church share the same calendar for Pascha, April 14…

However, OP has been down this road a number of times in other threads, given her circumstances (there is nowhere near her a Russian Catholic Church, her Church sui iuris because she was baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church) she is free to follow the feast days and days of penance of her Latin Church, the Church where she has lived her Catholic life , according to Canon 883 §1. The Christian faithful who are outside the territorial boundaries of their own Church sui iuris can adopt fully for themselves the feast days and days of penance which are in force where they are staying.

 

[5Loaves]

hmm… interesting. I was told before I need to follow Eastern fasts and calendar. But this canon seems to be saying I can follow the Latin ones. More things to discuss with a priest I guess

I would respectfully say I’m confident that here and on another Forum you have been responded to a number of times in the past year or so on this topic, that anyone like yourself “outside the territorial boundaries of their own Church sui iuris can adopt fully for themselves the feast days and days of penance which are in force where they are staying.” You can follow fully your Latin Church parish and you have many times been strongly encouraged to do so.

I think discussing this again with your priest is a very good idea. He is familiar with your persistent concerns about this.

I continue to suggest:

It would be nice to go to Orthodox Pascha Sat. night with your family. You can go to the Divine Mercy on Sunday in your Latin Church.

 

[Monica4316]

Sorry to disagree with you but the Ordo I have lists it as this.

15 Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)

There is nothing special listed within the Ordo that would make this Sunday any different so I am guessing that it is only a name thing. I will look in the Missal tomorrow to see if there is anything that is special but I do not think there is.

Sorry I don’t really understand… the 15th is indeed Divine Mercy Sunday as it says. The missal doesn’t mention the feast day, it comes from a revelation to St Faustina, but it’s a feast in the Latin rite - I believe Pope John Paul II officially approved it… so during that day, a person can receive an indulgence, and Jesus talked about in the revelation. It’s good to to Confession and Communion on that day. Also, there are many churches that have Divine Mercy celebrations where people can pray the Chaplet and venerate the Divine Mercy image, and there’s also Confession/Adoration and Mass.

Yes, all indulgences are available to any Catholic eastern or Latin It could also be a partial indulgence, if something is lacking (like Holy Eucharist or Holy Confession, or perfect contrition, or vocal prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father), other than grace.

Three conditions for the plenary indulgence

And so the Supreme Pontiff, motivated by an ardent desire to foster in Christians this devotion to Divine Mercy as much as possible in the hope of offering great spiritual fruit to the faithful, in the Audience granted on 13 June 2002, to those Responsible for the Apostolic Penitentiary, granted the following Indulgences:

a *plenary indulgence, *granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on the Second Sunday of Easter or 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 who, 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!");

A partial indulgence, granted to the faithful who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation.

For those who cannot go to church or the seriously ill

In addition, sailors working on the vast expanse of the sea; the countless brothers and sisters, whom the disasters of war, political events, local violence and other such causes have been driven out of their homeland; the sick and those who nurse them, and all who for a just cause cannot leave their homes or who carry out an activity for the community which cannot be postponed, may obtain a plenary indulgence on Divine Mercy Sunday, if totally detesting any sin, as has been said before, and with the intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three usual conditions, will recite the *Our Father *and the *Creed *before a devout image of Our Merciful Lord Jesus and, in addition, pray a devout invocation to the Merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you).

If it is impossible that people do even this, on the same day they may obtain the Plenary Indulgence if with a spiritual intention they are united with those carrying out the prescribed practice for obtaining the Indulgence in the usual way and offer to the Merciful Lord a prayer and the sufferings of their illness and the difficulties of their lives, with the resolution to accomplish as soon as possible the three conditions prescribed to obtain the plenary indulgence.

vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_doc_20020629_decree-ii_en.html

thanks!

 

[Monica4316]

However, OP has been down this road a number of times in other threads, given her circumstances (there is nowhere near her a Russian Catholic Church, her Church sui iuris because she was baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church) she is free to follow the feast days and days of penance of her Latin Church, the Church where she has lived her Catholic life , according to Canon 883 §1. The Christian faithful who are outside the territorial boundaries of their own Church sui iuris can adopt fully for themselves the feast days and days of penance which are in force where they are staying.

That does make sense. I was told to follow the Eastern fasts/feast days, I’m not sure. I’ll ask a priest about this. I think it makes sense about the Canon though, if we’re interpreting it correctly.

I would respectfully say I’m confident that here and on another Forum you have been responded to a number of times in the past year or so on this topic, that anyone like yourself “outside the territorial boundaries of their own Church sui iuris can adopt fully for themselves the feast days and days of penance which are in force where they are staying.” You can follow fully your Latin Church parish and you have many times been strongly encouraged to do so.

I think discussing this again with your priest is a very good idea. He is familiar with your persistent concerns about this.

I continue to suggest:

I’ll talk to a priest regarding going to the Orthodox church with my family, - I was advised by a priest to only go if I don’t really have a choice, - so I’ll see. I’d be glad to go to the Divine Mercy celebration on the Sunday.

God bless

 

[Alexander_Roman]

No… I just wanted to ask if an Eastern Catholic MAY celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, as a private devotion, or if that’s not allowed or something.

Yes, second Sunday of Easter is the Divine Mercy Sunday according to the Latin rite calendar

Sorry - I misunderstood. It can always be celebrated as a private devotion!

I would love it if all Eastern Catholics would be under the nearest EC Church, nomatter what it is, rather than under a Latin bishop too . . .

Alex

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Sorry I don’t really understand… the 15th is indeed Divine Mercy Sunday as it says. The missal doesn’t mention the feast day, it comes from a revelation to St Faustina, but it’s a feast in the Latin rite - I believe Pope John Paul II officially approved it… so during that day, a person can receive an indulgence, and Jesus talked about in the revelation. It’s good to to Confession and Communion on that day. Also, there are many churches that have Divine Mercy celebrations where people can pray the Chaplet and venerate the Divine Mercy image, and there’s also Confession/Adoration and Mass.

I do not know any simpler way to state it. The calendar say that it is the Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy).

Its the or part.

 

[Monica4316]

Sorry - I misunderstood. It can always be celebrated as a private devotion!

I would love it if all Eastern Catholics would be under the nearest EC Church, nomatter what it is, rather than under a Latin bishop too . . .

Alex

I know it’s confusing lol since my spirituality is more Latin, that can kind of work for me, but it’s also confusing to figure out.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I’ll talk to a priest regarding going to the Orthodox church with my family, - I was advised by a priest to only go if I don’t really have a choice, - so I’ll see. I’d be glad to go to the Divine Mercy celebration on the Sunday.

God bless

It shouldn’t be a problem. I myself have been to an Orthodox parish for Vespers and I have even started correspondence with the priest. I’m hoping to meet him in private hopefully next month. Just letting the festivities of April go by. I’ll see what I will learn from the priest.

I even partook of the Litya bread and wine form the Vespers. If the parish was closer to where I live, I would go there more often.

 

[5Loaves]

I’ll talk to a priest regarding going to the Orthodox church with my family, - I was advised by a priest to only go if I don’t really have a choice, - so I’ll see. I’d be glad to go to the Divine Mercy celebration on the Sunday.

God bless
ConstantineTG;9163622:

It shouldn’t be a problem. I myself have been to an Orthodox parish for Vespers and I have even started correspondence with the priest.

Although I suggested to OP that going to Pascha with her parents could be a nice thing to do together (she has told us before that her parents don’t normally practice their faith so this is a chance to worship together) but if the priest who gave her this advice is also her spiritual father, the one she talks with when she says “I’ll talk to a priest” about things, then I would suggest she follow his suggestion since he would be familiar with the struggles OP continues to deal with in her journey in faith.

 

[malphono]

FWIW, (and for those who deny the trend of Novus Ordo-inspired neo-latinizations in the Maronite Church), I’ll add my :twocents: to this thread.

Yesterday, in addition to the traditional designation of “New Sunday” the other was also observed.