Apr 19 2009
Divine Mercy Sunday
The quality of mercy is not strain’d,
It droppeth, as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath:
it is twice bless’d;
It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes:
‘Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway,
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God’s
When mercy seasons justice.
[From: The Merchant of Venice, Act IV, Scene I. William Shakespeare]
Anyway, our city is in the midst of the clustering upheaval and losing priests and gaining temporaries and one priest to oversee it all who has a very pronounced lithp, hence, all seems to be a tad disorganized, and I am between parishes for the first time in 20+ years– (torn between RC and Maronite rites), and so, I wouldn’t have known who was offering what in observance of this day of His if I hadn’t grabbed the free town newspaper on the way out of a supermarket yesterday. There inside as I searched for job ads fruitlessly, I happened upon a lovely ad about Divine Mercy Sunday being celebrated at 2 pm today just up the street.. it was magnificent.
Turnout was poor, but the Maronite priest took it upon himself to offer a RC Mass at a (larger) RC church for us.. (his own church is teensy). There was Adoration, Procession, Benediction, incenseincenseincense, a special set of prayings for DM.. and not only did we receive Him, and His Mercy, but we were anointed, too.
The Lord hears the cry of the poor in spirit, too. I am beginning to understand His mom is always so thankful for the proper attention shown Him.
I had not observed the conditions for the indulgence since.. well, 4 years ago. I feel I am in spiritual trouble always, but how can I not ask that any possible grace go to loved ones who cannot help themselves?
Anyway, we finished up with the prayer to St. Michael. What a day.
The Monstrance was on the altar and the priest was just in front of Him as we were anointed.
My God, we’re so lucky to be Catholics.
Owen
indeed.
Carol, I’m glad you had such a beautiful afternoon for Divine Mercy Sunday. I always wonder too why the turnout is often small, and why some parishes have nothing at all. But we know that the graces and blessings are there for the asking, for ourselves and others. “how can I not ask that any possible grace go to loved ones who cannot help themselves?” Thank goodness for His mercy, because we can do just that…
I hope everyone had a wondrous DM Sunday.
Still looking in from time to time on everybody’s blogs – God bless and keep up the good work!
Ann, so glad you had a fine DM Sunday as well, and lovely to have you back. I do hope you will be opening your comments too – it’s been a long, hard winter, and everyone’s been pretty quiet…including me…
Sorry (? lol) for my quiet, too — I’m reinventing the house for the zillionth time (family coming), plus it’s only 25 years..I’m still moving in (I hope I’m not the only one who says that). I kinda have to move while I’m still able–I feel the auld bod saying “no” more and more, even when driving.. but anyway, I look in on folks from time to time, too. Very thankful for the posts, not least of all the poetry and prose. We need that, don’t we?
Good luck with all the reinventing/cleaning, etc., and I hope you have a lovely time with your visitors! Don’t overdo, though. I know what you mean about “while I’m still able” – I don’t even dare run for the bus anymore, because I know my knees will give out on me and I’ll be rolling down the sidewalk in a most unladylike fashion.
I have said the chaplet on my own but that was the first time I had heard it prayed publicly. Kudos to whomever instigated that.