On April 30, 2000, I assisted at the canonization of Sister Mary Faustina Kowalska in Rome. (cf: http://thedivinemercy.org/message/johnpaul ) The following Sunday, which was declared as ‘Divine Mercy Sunday’ by Pope John Paul 11, she became Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament.
On Divine Mercy Sunday I went to confession at the Church of the Holy Spirit. During my confession the priest said something that had a very profound spiritual effect on me. He said: “I encourage you to swim in the Ocean of God’s Mercy.” (cf: https://striveforheavennow.ca/prayer/divine-mercy )
The image that the priest gave me of God’s ‘Ocean of Mercy’ is so correct as a portrayal of our loving and merciful God, who wants to forgive all sinners if they will only repent of their sins and reach out to God’s son Jesus Christ to receive Mercy.
Jesus said to Saint Faustina:
“My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for sinners. 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. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flows are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.” (Diary entry #699)
Today, we are immersed in a very sinful world who’s god is ‘sex and the almighty dollar and all the pleasures of the lust of the flesh’. So many people, in their present, sinful spiritual state are heading straight for Hell, for eternity.
I encourage you to ‘strive for Heaven now! Don’t delay! Tomorrow may be too late! Reach out for God’s Mercy. To learn more I invite you to read the following: https://striveforheavennow.ca/prayer/divine-mercy .
Donald Andre Bruneau.
