The Best American Pilgrimage You Can Take On Divine Mercy Sunday
(Last updated March 2024)
Sunday, April 7th, is Divine Mercy Sunday, the Sunday after Easter that has been referred to as a "spiritual buffet" for Catholics.
Revered as one of the most powerful prayers a Catholic can pray (shared with us by one of our greatest saints!), Divine Mercy is actually "new" in terms of the Church. Yes, it has been around as long as I (and probably anyone reading this!) have been around, but it only came to be in the early 20th Century when Jesus appeared to St. Faustina in a vision.
The Divine Mercy Chaplet, revealed to St. Faustina Kowalska through visions of Jesus in the 1930s, emphasizes God's endless mercy towards humanity. Jesus instructed St. Faustina on the chaplet's prayers, promising great mercies to those who would recite them and especially venerate Divine Mercy Sunday, the Sunday after Easter.
This day is designated for receiving God's mercy through confession and communion, fulfilling Jesus' promise of complete forgiveness for sins and punishment. The devotion's growth reflects a modern spiritual movement, highlighting Divine Mercy as a pivotal element of the contemporary Catholic faith.
While praying this chaplet, attending confession, and communion are all you need to observe (and celebrate!) this feast day properly, I wanted to share a potential pilgrimage site that I cannot recommend enough: The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy.
Since June 1944, the Marian Fathers have nurtured the Divine Mercy devotion at the National Shrine in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. This sacred place, emerging from Father Walter Pelczynski's vision and the Marian community's prayers, has become a beacon of hope and thanksgiving for countless pilgrims.
Celebrated annually following Easter, the Feast of The Divine Mercy symbolizes a profound communal and spiritual growth, culminating in the Shrine's recognition as a national sanctuary in 1996, drawing global visitors to partake in its message of mercy and grace.
While the name itself - and the opportunity to pray with the Congregation of the Marian Fathers - is reason enough to visit, there is so much more to see and do during your visit to the Shrine, beginning with daily mass, adoration, confession, the blessing of religious articles, and, of course, the praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
After praying, it is time to explore the Shrine's 375 acres, beginning with the life-size Stations of the Cross.
If you want to make the most of your pilgrimage, past guests recommend praying and spending time at the Holy Family Shrine, followed by a stop at the stunning Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto.
Have you lost a loved one? The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy wants to help you honor them, which you can do by visiting The Shrine of the Holy Innocents (pictured), Immaculate Conception Candle Shrine, and/or the Our Lady of Mercy Candle Shrine and Oratory.
Remember to visit the gift shop before the day ends!
The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy is open 365 days a year. Please visit their website for a complete list of hours of operation and upcoming events.