The A-B-C of the Divine Mercy message

The Divine Mercy message is one we can call to mind simply by remembering the ABC.

Ask for His Mercy. 

God wants us to approach Him in prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world.

Be merciful. 

God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us.

Completely trust in Jesus. 

God wants us to know that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust. The more we trust in Jesus, the more we will receive.

The Divine Mercy Image

It is more than just a religious icon or painting. It is an actual visual representation of the person of Jesus as He appeared to St. Faustina on 22 February 1931. Jesus instructed her to have the vision painted with the words “Jesus I Trust in You” inscribed on the painting. The two rays denote Blood and Water. The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the depths of Jesus’ tender mercy when His agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. The Image represents the graces of Divine Mercy poured out upon the world, especially through Baptism and the Eucharist.

St. Faustina wrote in her diary as follows:

“The evening, when I was in my cell, I saw the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand was raised in the gesture of blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From beneath the garment, slightly drawn aside at the breast, there were emanating two large rays, one red, the other pale. In silence I kept my gaze fixed on the Lord; my soul was struck with awe, but also with great joy. After a while, Jesus said to me, Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and then throughout the world. I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over its enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory".(Diary, 47-48)