Divine Mercy Sunday, celebrated on the Octave of Easter (the Sunday after Easter Sunday), is a relatively new addition to the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. Celebrating the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ, as revealed by Christ himself to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, this feast was extended to the entire Catholic Church by St. Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000, the day that he canonized Saint Faustina. A plenary indulgence, which forgives us of all temporal punishment resulting from sins that have already been confessed is granted on the Feast of Divine Mercy to all the faithful who go to Confession, receive Holy Communion, pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, and “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 honor 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!).” For more information on the Divine Mercy devotions, please contact Maria Beck at 832-618-0726.