April 8, 2024

Thousands flock to Stockbridge shrine for Divine Mercy Sunday

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

STOCKBRIDGE – More than 15,000 pilgrims gathered on the lawn at the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine on Eden Hill for a 1 p.m. Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday in Stockbridge, April 7. The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge is a ministry of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, who have been promoting the message given to St. Faustina since 1941.

St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun, received revelations from Jesus about his message of mercy for the world in the 1930s. St. John Paul II declared the Second Sunday after Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday in 2000, during the canonization of St. Faustina.

“As we continue our celebration of the resurrection, Divine Mercy is directly related to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ,” said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, who oversees the Archdiocese for Military Services. Archbishop Broglio, who is also the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), was the principal celebrant of the Mass.

Several activities were planned for the entire weekend including talks, Eucharistic adoration, and confession. EWTN Global Catholic Network broadcast the solemn celebration beginning at noon EST on Sunday, with a one-hour program preceding the Mass, hosted by Marian Father Chris Alar, provincial superior of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy Province of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception in the United States and Argentina. He was joined by Marian Father Joseph Roesch, superior general of the Marian Congregation. The weekend culminated with the Sunday Mass and the singing of the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m. on April 7.

“This is the day that Jesus said, the one day of the year that the floodgates of heaven’s mercy are open wide. He set up the Sunday after Easter. This is a special day. Why is that? This completes the octave of Easter, eight days, and Jesus said on that day the floodgates of mercy are open,” explained Father Alar.

“The soul that has been to confession and receives holy Communion on that day will receive the complete forgiveness, not only all sin, but all punishment due to sin. People don’t realize that. When you come out of the confessional, unless we have perfect contrition, we still have punishment remaining. Not today. Our Lord says all that’s gone. It’s like a second baptism,” he said.

Pilgrims from as far away as Arizona and California and as far north as Toronto made the trip for the weekend. The theme for the weekend was “Spiritual Fatherhood.”

“I would say Jesus and the Catholic Church are the answer to every problem the world faces,” said Tara Davis, who drove from upstate New York with her husband and nine children. Davis said she grew up Catholic but said she had a strong reversion after being away from the church.

“Jesus is everything,” she said.

Among the speakers for the weekend were Jim Wahlberg, the executive director of the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation. Wahlberg, the brother of actors Mark and Donnie Wahlberg, struggled with addiction but had a powerful reversion to the Catholic faith. He is the author of The Big Hustle, and executive producer of “Mother Teresa: No Greater Love.” He met her in prison in 1988. He and his wife have three children.

Former NFL player and Arizona Cardinals tight ends coach Ben Steele spoke on the rosary. His talk, “Winning One bead at a Time: Strengthening My Faith with the Rosary,” focused on encouraging men to turn to the Blessed Mother. He also has a special ministry of making handmade rosaries for men.

Other speakers included Former NFL quarterback Elvis Grbac, who spoke on the importance of fathers as spiritual leaders of their families. Recording artist Ashley Nemeh, also performed.