Why is Sunday in Albis (the first Sunday after Easter) also known as Divine Mercy Sunday?
The origin of this holiday is recent, it was established by Saint John Paul II in 1992.
The Pope gave this name to the feast to remember the figure of the Polish mystic saintFaustina Kowalska: the woman had in fact reported thatJesus, in one of his appearances, he wanted a day to be dedicated tomercy.
Diary
In her diary, the saint writes these words dictated by Jesus: “I want the Feast of Mercy to be a shelter and refuge for all souls and especially for poor sinners. On that day the bowels of my mercy are open, I will pour a whole sea of graces on the souls who approach the source of my mercy.
The soul that approaches Confession and Holy Communion receives total forgiveness of faults and punishments. I want there to be a Feast of Mercy. I want the image, which you will paint with the brush, to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter; this Sunday must be the Feast of Mercy”.
In the writings of Sister Faustina (whom Pope Wojtyla beatified in 1993 and canonized in 2000) it is also recalled that Jesus he repeated this request in 14 apparitions, also giving indications for the cause and purpose of his institution, the way to prepare and celebrate it as well as the graces associated with it.
In the Diary, the mystic writes: “Now I see that the work of redemption is connected with the work of mercy requested by the Lord“. And this is precisely the reason why the Risen One indicates the date of Sunday in albis for the Feast and also the reason for its institution.
