Did you know this history of the Divine Mercy image? Do you have any story you would like to share of how the Divine Mercy image has had a significant impact in your life? What moves the progress of the soul from union to unity? If the Gospel message is already about mercy, why do you think there was a need for God to go through such lengths to emphasize His Mercy to the world? And why through a cloistered nun? Consider this quote from Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter Misericordia et misera: “We
Apr 14, 6:50 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Consider this quote from Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter Misericordia et misera: “We need witnesses to hope and true joy if we are to dispel the illusions that promise quick and easy happiness through artificial paradises” (no. 3). What does this have to do with mercy? How can the Divine Mercy image be a sign of hope and joy for us?Read the fictionalized version of how the painting came to be, mentioned above. Why was it so important for the figure to be walking and blessing, according to Sr. Faustina?
The full figure of Christ walking was a break with artistic tradition, according to the novel. Is there a difference in the message of our Lord here, compared to the previous icons of Christ sitting on a throne? What does a throne signify, and what does walking signify
rroll !
Apr 15, 7:15 PM
Carroll (Guest): Hi Dawn… Genny is not well and George requires constant supervision, so I was just going to leave a note saying that I would miss being with you tonight
Apr 15, 7:16 PM
Carroll (Guest): Divine Mercy will be a rich topic!
Apr 15, 7:17 PM
Dawn (Guest): hi, ok. Prayers for you all! yes, good topic tonight, will miss you but understand
Apr 15, 7:17 PM
Carroll (Guest): Much appreciated!
Apr 15, 7:17 PM
Carroll (Guest): Gotta run-
Apr 15, 7:17 PM
Dawn (Guest): God Bless you
Apr 15, 7:20 PM
Dawn (Guest): Beautiful photo of Fr Sopocko with the Visitation SIsters <3
Apr 15, 7:21 PM
Apr 15, 7:26 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes we stopped the treatise and substituted Divine Mercy because things were not going well with my absence and trip I could not do it. I hoped the newsletter would have said that but i guess it did not
Judy (Guest): Well, hopping off with the first question,I was not aware of this history of the Divine Mercy Image.
Apr 15, 7:33 PM
Ruth (Guest): Thank you, Sister. I don’t know how you do all you do. I just let a day slip by not accomplishing much of anything, and I started before 6 AM.
Apr 15, 7:33 PM
VisitationSiste: I think they were to serve as an introduction and boil all the material to the essentials- at least tythats what I think the Oblate Frs tried to do.
Apr 15, 7:34 PM
Ruth (Guest): Hi Sister, Dawn, Judy. Sorry Carroll can’t stay.
Apr 15, 7:34 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes Judy- it was new to me when we found it and exciting for us to know Visitation had a part to play
Apr 15, 7:34 PM
Judy (Guest): What a blessing for the Monastery!
Apr 15, 7:35 PM
VisitationSiste: That community had to move to Poland but I think their annals must hold info
Apr 15, 7:35 PM
Dawn (Guest): I recall this part of discussion quite awhile ago, the connection with painting and the Visitation sisters. maybe it was just a mention or two
Apr 15, 7:35 PM
Ruth (Guest): I don’t understand. Feel like I missed something.
Apr 15, 7:36 PM
VisitationSiste: What Ruth?
Apr 15, 7:37 PM
VisitationSiste: The article on Divine Mercy?
Apr 15, 7:37 PM
Judy (Guest): Other than the fact that I love the Divine Mercy Image and am touched by the picture of Jesus pulling aside His tunic to display His Heart, I don’t have anything else to say.
Apr 15, 7:37 PM
Judy (Guest): About question #2.
Apr 15, 7:38 PM
VisitationSiste: The first attraction to me when I was still in my apt was Divine Mercy= amovie came out and I think Helen Hayes was involved in it somehow
Apr 15, 7:38 PM
VisitationSiste: St Fautina’s Diary is very powerful
Apr 15, 7:39 PM
Judy (Guest): Yes, in reading parts of it the past few days, I think that I am going to reread it in full again.
Apr 15, 7:39 PM
VisitationSiste: It has such unction!
Apr 15, 7:40 PM
Ruth (Guest): Oh, OK. I did miss the
Apr 15, 7:40 PM
Carol Ann: Hi Everyone! I have my Father’s Divine Mercy image, which he received with his first Holy Communion about 1940!
Apr 15, 7:41 PM
VisitationSiste: My goodness! What is it like?
Apr 15, 7:41 PM
Judy (Guest): Hi Carol Ann! Glad you are here!
Apr 15, 7:41 PM
Ruth (Guest): 1940!
Apr 15, 7:41 PM
Dawn (Guest): Hi Carol Anne!
Apr 15, 7:41 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): Hi Sr Susan , Ruth , Judy , Dawn , and Carol Ann ! God Bless You ! Brian
Apr 15, 7:41 PM
Judy (Guest): Welcome aboard, Brian!
Apr 15, 7:42 PM
Dawn (Guest): Hi Brian!
Apr 15, 7:42 PM
Carol Ann: it is a print of the original image, I found it wrapped inside his First Communion certificate
Apr 15, 7:43 PM
Judy (Guest): That must have been a surprise.
Apr 15, 7:43 PM
VisitationSiste: That is incredible
Apr 15, 7:43 PM
VisitationSiste: What a blessing to find
Apr 15, 7:43 PM
Dawn (Guest): a wonderful gift!
Apr 15, 7:44 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): Saint Faustina Diary very powerful you see her deep Love for Jesus and her passion to save souls !!!
Apr 15, 7:44 PM
Carol Ann: It was a surprise. I had no idea what it was until i started attending the local Polish Catholic church and Josie told me about Divine Mercy Chaplet, There is not enough time to tell you all that Jesus has done for me through this prayer
Apr 15, 7:44 PM
Judy (Guest): Oh to love Him as she did!
Apr 15, 7:46 PM
Judy (Guest): Maybe you could share with us one such thing.
Apr 15, 7:46 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): You Do Judy you see it in your writing your deep Love for Jesus is Soo evident !!!
Apr 15, 7:47 PM
VisitationSiste: BRB
Apr 15, 7:47 PM
Judy (Guest): ?
Apr 15, 7:48 PM
Dawn (Guest): I think be right back
Apr 15, 7:48 PM
Dawn (Guest):
Apr 15, 7:48 PM
Judy (Guest): BRB?
Apr 15, 7:49 PM
Dawn (Guest): I think it means be right back… part of the new language
Apr 15, 7:49 PM
VisitationSiste: Back! it was the doorbell
Apr 15, 7:49 PM
Judy (Guest): Gotcha!
Apr 15, 7:51 PM
VisitationSiste: The Lord asked St Margaret Mary to emphasize the Sacred heart by giving revelations even tho people knew of His loving heart and similarly with Mercy- He needs to emphasize things at different times
Apr 15, 7:51 PM
Ruth (Guest): It was just a few years ago that JPII popularized the Divine Mercy prayers; I don’t think I knew anything about it before then. I did get a copy of St. Faustina’s Diary from a woman I used to bring Communion to and help take care of when she was terminally ill. I only read bits and pieces of it back then.
Apr 15, 7:52 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): I think it is really special how Jesus used Sister Faustina to keep the focus on saving Souls right after the festivities of Easter when we can get off guard and lose our focus on leading others to Christ !!!
Apr 15, 7:52 PM
Judy (Guest): Question 3: Through the years, many people had come to see God as a punitive taskmaster instead of a loving Father. Surely God was trying to move people to a more positive image and so reveals Himself as Divine Mercy. His revelations to St.l Faustina were meant to focus on the great love He has for His people and how He waqnts them to cease fearing Him and to embrace His mercy.
Apr 15, 7:52 PM
Carol Ann: It was more known in Poland and Polish America before then, but the devotion has been growing steadily. most parishes here have Chaplet groups like the Rosary groups. I just wish all the parishes would do the full celebration for Divine Mercy Sunday
Apr 15, 7:54 PM
VisitationSiste: Our times need His Mercy!!!!
Apr 15, 7:54 PM
Dawn (Guest): There is a group who shares live Mass from church of St Faustinas tomb, and her sisters are there singing. A Divine Mercy painting hangs in front, maybe over her tomb, I do not know where the orginial painting id
Apr 15, 7:54 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): Amen Judy !!!
Apr 15, 7:55 PM
Judy (Guest): One of His statements to St. Faustina is “Let the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy….I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable Mercy.
Apr 15, 7:55 PM
Ruth (Guest): At St. Bernard’s in Saranac Lake, it is done up big on Mercy Sunday — with a huge picture, benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and the sung Mercy
Apr 15, 7:55 PM
Ruth (Guest): Chaplet.
Apr 15, 7:56 PM
Ruth (Guest): Other parishes are invited. I’ve seen the church packed more than for a typical Sunday Mass.
Apr 15, 7:57 PM
Judy (Guest): Here at the Shrine, we have an all day celebration with Father Patenaude who is a talented musician. We have Mass, confessions, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, talks, much music and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Beautiful!
Apr 15, 7:57 PM
VisitationSiste: in times of great sin great mercy abounds
Apr 15, 7:57 PM
Carol Ann: The full celebration is Mass with Eucharist, followed by adoration and time for confession, then the Chaplet service. We used to open the chaplet service processing to the altar and placing red and white carnations there to represent what we wante to leave to mercy. when it was over, we would process back and take a carnation home as a reminder
Apr 15, 7:58 PM
Judy (Guest): What a lovely idea, Carol Ann!
Apr 15, 7:59 PM
VisitationSiste: Beautiful
Apr 15, 7:59 PM
Ruth (Guest): You live near the Divine Mercy Shrine, Judy?
Apr 15, 7:59 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): Wonderful !
Apr 15, 7:59 PM
Dawn (Guest): This is now , Mother. great mercy is pouring out. many are coming to conversion while great sin is occuring!
Apr 15, 7:59 PM
Judy (Guest): No, I live near the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians.
Apr 15, 8:00 PM
Judy (Guest): That’s in Stony Point, NY.
Apr 15, 8:00 PM
Judy (Guest): That’s in Stony Point, NY.
Apr 15, 8:00 PM
VisitationSiste: That is probably why ST Fautina received the message in the 1930’s- the war and the current immoral ways of our world
Apr 15, 8:02 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): Found a beautiful song this week I hadn’t heard in awhile . Christian Artist Jackie Valesques sings Adore . Jesus I adore you ! Reminds me of our great Love for Jesus !!!!
Apr 15, 8:02 PM
Ruth (Guest): Pope Francis is clear on the importance of Mercy. The Year of Mercy proclamation had special provisions for prisoners.
Apr 15, 8:02 PM
VisitationSiste: I am moved by her song on your knees too or on my knees?
Apr 15, 8:03 PM
VisitationSiste: What were those Ruth
Apr 15, 8:03 PM
Judy (Guest): Question 3 asks why the message was given to a cloistered nun. My thought is that such a one has greater opportunity to reflect on, and with God’s grace, to comprehend Gods thereby being able to effectively reveal them to others.
Apr 15, 8:03 PM
Judy (Guest): Comprehend Go’s message
Apr 15, 8:03 PM
Judy (Guest): God
Apr 15, 8:03 PM
Judy (Guest): God’s message.
Apr 15, 8:04 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes St Margaret Mary was also cloistered. Fewer distractions, perhaps and intensity of prayer life?
Apr 15, 8:04 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): Oh Sister Susan that is one of my favorite songs I play it whenever things get really rough !!!!
Apr 15, 8:04 PM
Carol Ann: i think too it is more likely that there is someone in the monastery to help discern the message as well. though, having read the diary, it seems to me many of the sisters were quite mean to her about it
Apr 15, 8:05 PM
Ruth (Guest): It included indications that the prison cell gate (– e.g. when being taken to meals or exercise) could be used the same way as the Mercy Portal that was in only certain churches.
Apr 15, 8:05 PM
Judy (Guest): How many saints were treated poorly by their companions in Religious Life when they received special favors from the Lord.
Apr 15, 8:05 PM
Carol Ann: i think a lot of them!
Apr 15, 8:05 PM
VisitationSiste: Oh yes- St Margaret Mary, the foundress of the Cenacle, St John of the Cross, lots
Apr 15, 8:06 PM
Judy (Guest): St. Alphonsus too.
Apr 15, 8:07 PM
Ruth (Guest): That issue goes way, way back: Cain & Able, Joseph and his brothers — jealosy.
Apr 15, 8:07 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): It keeps us Humble and always close to Our Lord Jesus !!!
Apr 15, 8:07 PM
Judy (Guest): I believe that St. Francis of Assisi had troubles with some of the friars too.
Apr 15, 8:08 PM
Carol Ann: For Sr Faustina it was because she was uneducated (at least especially compared to the others) and they could not believe she could know what she did
Apr 15, 8:08 PM
Ruth (Guest): Judy, I vaguely remember something about their pretending not to recognize him and turning him away from one of his houses.
Apr 15, 8:08 PM
Dawn (Guest): The closer one moves to Jesus, maybe the enemy trys to cause division. it is the spiritual battle
Apr 15, 8:09 PM
Judy (Guest): Those who are given great favors by the Lord also experience great suffering, as Brian said to keep them humble.
Apr 15, 8:09 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): A prophet is without honor in his own household ! Humility !
Apr 15, 8:09 PM
Carol Ann: and to know it is because of Jesus that the things happen, not because of themselves
Apr 15, 8:09 PM
Ruth (Guest): You probably are right on with that Dawn.
Apr 15, 8:09 PM
Dawn (Guest): Jesus, I trust in you!
Apr 15, 8:10 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): Amen !!!!
Apr 15, 8:11 PM
Judy (Guest): Question 4: We need witnesses to hope and joy so as to help others who are looking for quick and easy happiness to learn patient endurance and trust that in His mercy, God will bring us eternal happiness no matter how long it takes.
Apr 15, 8:12 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): I was reading today 2Corithians 3-11 Paul’s Thanksgiving after Affliction ! Awesome !!!!
Apr 15, 8:12 PM
Ruth (Guest): Knowing that, Carol Ann, makes it a bit easier; I think part of the suffering, sometimes, is the confusion that may come about: “Is it my fault?” “What could/should I have done differently?”
Apr 15, 8:13 PM
Judy (Guest): The Divine Mercy Image with the outstretched arms of Jesus and the inscription “Jesus, I trust in You” stands as a constant reminder that we can trust in Jesus to receive us lovingly into His arms.
Apr 15, 8:13 PM
Carol Ann: and the answer usually is there is nothing to do differently because it is the other person who must accept or not
Apr 15, 8:13 PM
VisitationSiste: Divine Mercy is consoling but yet we cannot be presumptious- that’s where humility comes in
Apr 15, 8:13 PM
Ruth (Guest): Even Christ on the Cross, felt God-forsaken.
Apr 15, 8:14 PM
Carol Ann: yes, we must discern what is ours to do and leave the rest to Him
Apr 15, 8:15 PM
Dawn (Guest): presumptious like, ex in not thinking of our self as a sinner?
Apr 15, 8:16 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): Great scene in Apostle Paul movie where Paul has been brutalized in every way he has his head lying down and you can see him in his heart saying Jesus I Trust in You !!!
Apr 15, 8:16 PM
VisitationSiste: sort of- like taking it for granted
Apr 15, 8:16 PM
Ruth (Guest): I was reading “The Imitation of Christ” (Thomas aKempis) in 8th and 9th grade, and trying to understand humility. It is not thinking the worst of oneself. It took me a long time to realize that humility is being face-to-face with the TRUTH.
Apr 15, 8:16 PM
Dawn (Guest): or realizing that all we have or are is from Christ, nothing on our own.
Apr 15, 8:16 PM
Dawn (Guest): I hope to see the movie
Apr 15, 8:17 PM
Judy (Guest): And question 6: Previous icons of Jesus have Him sitting on a throne. The throne symbolizes royalty and authority. The throne is stationary and so does not move. Hence, anyone wishing to see the king, the monarch. must go to Him. In the Image, Jesus is walking, that is, He is moving toward His people, taking the initiative and going out to them.
Apr 15, 8:17 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): Try to go if you can Dawn !!!
Apr 15, 8:17 PM
Carol Ann: His children need Him, and so He comes
Apr 15, 8:18 PM
Ruth (Guest): The word “humus” (soil made from decayed plant material) has the same root. Humility is like being down-to-earth. Both feet on the ground.
Apr 15, 8:19 PM
Guest2058 (Guest): God’s love is a great mistery
Apr 15, 8:19 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): Jesus wants us to be involved totally in His Ministry to Save as many Souls as Possible !!!
Apr 15, 8:20 PM
Judy (Guest): We don’t have to wait to talk to Jesus. He is always moving toward us, moving even before we more toward Him. He is like the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son–already on the road watching for his son and as soon as he sees him, he runs to him and hugs and kisses him.Jesus is always ready to embrace us.
Apr 15, 8:20 PM
Judy (Guest): Move toward Him.
Apr 15, 8:20 PM
Ruth (Guest): I think of the “Hound of Heaven” (John Dunn?) God pursues the sinner, even “hounds” him, til he responds.
Apr 15, 8:20 PM
Guest2058 (Guest): His love is unlimited
Apr 15, 8:21 PM
VisitationSiste: Jessu walks towards us because His grace always reaches out to us first
Apr 15, 8:21 PM
VisitationSiste: Jesus
Apr 15, 8:22 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): Had a Speaker many years ago do a Men’s Breaksast ! Every person in that breakfast had an opportunity to share and be involved !!!! Jesus wants everyone involved even our enemies ! That’s why He asks us too Love our Enemies !
Apr 15, 8:22 PM
Dawn (Guest): Pope Francis did Stations at the Collisim with studnts who wrote much of the reflections The one that stood out to me is…think of how many times Christ fell and failed in carrying his cross. This I have never meditated on, if Jesus fell then of course I fall and do!
Apr 15, 8:22 PM
Judy (Guest): It was not John Dunn who wrote the “Hound of Heaven” however the name of the author escapes me.
Apr 15, 8:23 PM
Dawn (Guest): Yes Brian!
Apr 15, 8:23 PM
Ruth (Guest): Francis Thompson.
Apr 15, 8:23 PM
Carol Ann: I was just typing that, lol. love google
Apr 15, 8:23 PM
Judy (Guest): Righteo, Ruth!
Apr 15, 8:25 PM
Guest2058 (Guest): Jesus wants us to love like he does.
Apr 15, 8:25 PM
VisitationSiste: The novel version of the story is based on much truth I would be so happy if I could read the annals of that Monastery! I wonder if the Vilnius Visitandines ever met St Faustina
Apr 15, 8:25 PM
VisitationSiste: It seems the devotion to the Sacred Heart and to Divine Mercy are united!
Apr 15, 8:26 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): Amen Sister Susan !!!
Apr 15, 8:26 PM
Ruth (Guest): Was it G.K. Chesterton who said that Hound of Heaven was the best poem ever written in the English language?
Apr 15, 8:26 PM
Guest2058 (Guest): Love and Mercy.
Apr 15, 8:26 PM
Dawn (Guest): And he wants us to see how he understands humanity and falling and loves us SO MUCH
Apr 15, 8:26 PM
Judy (Guest): Yes, Mother. The rays of mercy are coming from the heart of Jesus. So there is a tremendous connection between the two devotions.
Apr 15, 8:27 PM
Ruth (Guest): They are very similar, Sister.
Apr 15, 8:27 PM
Dawn (Guest): I never made the connection but yes, it is right there!
Apr 15, 8:28 PM
VisitationSiste: He wants us to have deep love and trust in HIM
Apr 15, 8:28 PM
VisitationSiste: May this week give each of us that gift!
Apr 15, 8:28 PM
Judy (Guest): Amen, Mother!
Apr 15, 8:28 PM
Ruth (Guest): May we all know — and share — His mercy, very, very deeply!
Apr 15, 8:28 PM
Guest2058 (Guest): Amen!.
Apr 15, 8:28 PM
Dawn (Guest): Amen
Apr 15, 8:29 PM
Carol Ann: and continue to pray for us all and for the whole world, so in need of mercy
Apr 15, 8:29 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes!
Apr 15, 8:29 PM
Judy (Guest): There is no love like His. So let us drink fully of the chalice of His divine love.
Apr 15, 8:30 PM
Guest8841 (Guest): Amen Sister Susan ! Keep Shining Everyone ! Jesus Loves us All Soo Much ! Let’s Share His Love with Everyone !!!! God Bless You All !!!! Brian
Apr 15, 8:30 PM
Carol Ann: and remember to take time for quiet contemplation
Apr 15, 8:30 PM
Dawn (Guest): God bless everyone. I think of our prayers being joined during the week for those intentions that are brought up in here.
Apr 15, 8:30 PM
Judy (Guest): Have a blessed and reflective week, everyone!
Apr 15, 8:30 PM
Carol Ann: yes, God bless us, every one
Apr 15, 8:31 PM
Dawn (Guest): Amen
Apr 15, 8:31 PM
Dawn (Guest): Good night ….it suddenly began snowing! God bless
Apr 15, 8:32 PM
Ruth (Guest): A mercy chaplet for each person who has wounded each of us or experience that has made it hard to trust, so that just as Jesus had mercy on those who caused his death and on the apostles who abandoned him, mercy may reach out to all those wounded and who are wounding others.
Apr 15, 8:33 PM
Carol Ann: i have to remember that Ruth, it will keep me in prayer forever…