Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Peter and Paul for Divine Mercy Sunday; the second Sunday of Easter. The faithful of the Archdiocese are invited to join Cardinal Rigali in this special celebration of the devotion recognizing God's mercy and love.

Sunday, April 23, 2006
Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

The faithful will pray to Jesus Christ in several ways, including: adoring His presence in the exposed Blessed Sacrament, confessing their sins and receiving forgiveness; praying a Divine Mercy Prayer; concluding their period of prayer before the Bless Sacrament; and finally celebrating the Sacrifice of the Mass.

Schedule of Events
12 Noon - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
12:30 p.m. - Sacrament of Penance
2:30 p.m. - Recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet
2:50 p.m. - Benediction
3:00 p.m. - Mass

While praise of God's mercy is a central and ancient practice in the Church, popular devotion to Divine Mercy Sunday is relatively new. Sister Faustina Kowalska of Poland noted in her 1931 diaries that Jesus appeared to hear and called for greater devotion to divine mercy. Pope John Paul II canonized Saint Faustina in 2000 and announced that the second Sunday of Easter will be given the additional title of Divine Mercy Sunday throughout the Church. The devotion encourages repentance for one's sins, and through the mercy and forgiveness of God, one's closer union with Jesus in the Eucharist.

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Contact
Meredith V. Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747