During this time of pandemic, Knights and their families are invited to unite in praying the Divine Mercy novena and chaplet beginning on Good Friday, April 10.
During the 1930s, Jesus revealed the depths of his merciful love for mankind to a Polish nun, St. Faustina Kowalska. Among the messages St. Faustina received was a devotion known as the Divine Mercy chaplet and a novena (nine days) of prayer to be offered from Good Friday through the first week of Easter. Through St. Faustina, Jesus said: “I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the fountain of my mercy, that they may draw therefrom strength and refreshment and whatever grace they have need of in the hardships of life” (Diary, 1209).
During this time of pandemic, Knights and their families are invited to unite in praying the Divine Mercy novena and chaplet beginning on Good Friday, April 10. The devotions will be streamed live at 3 pm EDT — the Hour of Mercy — daily from the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C., by members of St. Faustina’s religious community, the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. The daily broadcasts are also available on demand after their initial broadcast at 3 pm. The novena and chaplet are available for download so that they can be prayed together with the sisters or as a family.
To help Knights grow in understanding and practice of the Divine Mercy devotion, the Order has produced a series of videos that highlight the power and depth of God’s merciful love in world. Through these short messages, an “Ocean of Mercy” is revealed.
Friday, April 10
St. Faustina: Prophet of Mercy (8:20)
In the year 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized St. Faustina Kowalska. This humble and simple Polish nun was lifted to the honors of the altars, becoming the first saint of the New Millennium. Her life and witness have reshaped modern history and led millions to discover the power of God’s merciful love.
You Tube
Saturday, April 11
Witness of Mercy: The Story of Jennifer Trapuzzano (6:52)
When her beloved newlywed husband Nathan was shockingly murdered while taking his morning walk, Jennifer confronted the greatest trial of her life. Her decision to embrace mercy and forgiveness in the face of unimaginable personal tragedy is a powerful display of trust in God’s mercy.
You Tube
Sunday, April 12
The Name of God is Mercy (7:19)
Today, Divine Mercy is the fastest growing devotion in the Catholic Church. So, what exactly is Divine Mercy? You may know it as an image revealed to Saint Faustina. Or a special form of prayer, or perhaps as a new feast day instituted by St. John Paul II. While all of those are true, Divine Mercy is even greater.
You Tube
Monday, April 13
The Divine Mercy Image: An Icon of Mercy (6:26)
The earliest revelation of Divine Mercy revealed to St. Faustina was an iconic Image. On February 22, 1931, Jesus appeared to her with rays radiating from His heart and said, paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: “Jesus, I trust in You.” This image, containing rich symbolism, has helped inspire millions of people to embrace God’s mercy.
You Tube
Tuesday, April 14
Divine Mercy: A Message for Today (6:22)
Pope John Paul II famously said, “In the designs of providence, there are no mere coincidences.” This truth is clearly revealed in both the timing and content of Jesus’ revelations to St. Faustina. The message of Divine Mercy played a providential role in 20th-century Polish history, setting the stage for a global reawakening to God’s infinite mercy.
You Tube
Wednesday, April 15
Poster Child of Divine Mercy: The Testimony of Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC (6:04)
Fr. Donald Calloway, M.I.C., recounts his remarkable journey from a youth filled with sex, drugs and crime to a dramatic encounter with Our Lady and a life transformed through the grace of God’s mercy.
You Tube
Thursday, April 16
Auschwitz: Divine Mercy and The Limits of Evil (5:32)
Throughout the world Auschwitz has come to symbolize evil, genocide, and the Holocaust. Over 1.1 million men, women and children lost their lives there. Two members of St. Faustina’s religious community, the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, travel through these hallowed grounds and view the legacy of Auschwitz through the prism of the Divine Mercy message.
You Tube
Friday, April 17
John Paul II: An Apostle of Mercy (5:00)
Pope John Paul II reflected the message of Divine Mercy both in his life’s witness, and through his many writings. He canonized St. Faustina in 2000 and designated the Sunday after Easter as the Feast of Divine Mercy, finally fulfilling a request Jesus had made to Sister Faustina. For John Paul, it was also a fulfillment of a life-long mission.
You Tube
Saturday, April 18
Witness of Mercy: A Father’s Forgiveness (6:01)
It was Joe Walker’s devotion to the Divine Mercy that enabled him to forgive his daughter’s murderer. Soon after, he began sharing his story and the Divine Mercy image with hundreds in his parish and community.
You Tube
Sunday, April 19
Face of Mercy (57:43)
In 2016, the Knights of Columbus produced The Face of Mercy, a powerful film exploring the history and relevance of the Divine Mercy devotion in our turbulent times. Narrated by Jim Caviezel, the film chronicles the life of St. Faustina and the revelation of the Divine Mercy message for the world. Weaving theology and history with modern testimonials, the film presents a tapestry of the “face of mercy” to remind us that Divine Mercy is not just a devotion or abstract theology – it is God’s love, alive and universal, and it will transform the world.
Please contact the
Knights of Columbus News Bureau
news@kofc.org, 475-255-0097