Divine Mercy Sunday was established as a feast day for the entire world in 2002 by Pope John Paul II. Sr. Maria Faustina Kowalska was canonized that day as well. The message of Divine Mercy was received by St. Faustina from the Lord between 1931 & 1938. It is a powerful reminder of who God is and has been from the very beginning. This truth that God is in his very nature love and mercy itself. Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated the first Sunday following Easter Sunday.
This Jubilee year, Divine Mercy Sunday, is particularly significant. On April 27, 2025, Pope Francis will canonize Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint. The canonization will take place during the Jubilee for Adolescents in Rome. Carlo Acutis was known for his devotion to the Eucharist and his use of technology to spread the word of God. He died at age 15 from leukemia.
Prior to his death he compiled an extensive Eucharistic Miracles exhibit, which SMM was blessed to have on display during our 40 hours celebration October 2024. Carlo's last words were reported as "I am happy to die because I lived my life without wasting even a minute of it on anything unpleasing to God". To his mother, he said, "Mom, don't be afraid. Since Jesus became a man, death has become the passage towards life, and we don't need to flee it. Let us prepare ourselves to experience something extraordinary in the eternal life".
St. Carlo Acutis, pray for us. St. John Paul II , pray for us. St. Faustina, pray for us.