It's Divine Mercy Sunday: Please Pray St. Faustina's Chaplet for Our Poor Church

Guest Post: Was Jorge Bergoglio St. Faustina's Greatest Cross?

By David Martin

On December 17, 1936, the renown mystic St. Faustina, known for her role in establishing the devotion to the Divine Mercy, penned two entries into her diary which warrant close examination today. Entries 823 and 824 appear to be closely related and occur chronologically without interruption. Without further ado, the first part of her statement [entry 823] is as follows.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at the "Bedside" of the Dying

Let us go in spirit to pray at the bedside of the dying.
The Last Prayer -- Ernest Meissonier (1815-1891)

A friend forwarded the email below from a priest in Ireland. I'm adding his suggested project to my daily prayer regimen. I too read the article from a nurse about people dying alone during this pandemic. 

Chicago Pro-Life Flash Mob Overwhelms Pro-Aborts in Chicago

 Want a great big shot of pro-life adrenaline? On the 26th a pro-abortion crowd in Chicago demonstrated in support of Planned Parenthood. What they didn't know is that a group of young, enthusiastic pro-lifers organized a "flash mob" to counter their protest. They came with bright yellow balloons printed with "LIFE" and brought a sign reading "Orange you glad to see us?" to counter the orange shirts of the opponents. After their joyful demonstration they chanted the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. God bless these young people from the Survivors Generation! God is winning through the peers of the aborted babies who I know were there in spiritual solidarity with their brothers and sisters. See more videos at Fr. Z's blog.

These young people could give life to a cadaver! Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever.

Miracle of Mercy on the Hudson

via videosift.com

The entire country rejoiced January 15th when U.S. Airways flight 1549 piloted by Captain Chesley Sullenberger crashe-landed safely in the Hudson River without any loss of life. Below is an eyewitness account from one passenger. You can hear Fred's CNN testimony as well.

Saturday, January 24, 2009
Subject: Passenger of Flight 1549

Vinny,

I sincerely hope this email finds its way to you. I was a passenger on flight 1549 and my name is Fred Berretta. You might have caught a glimpse of me or heard me on CNN or Fox the night of the crash. I interviewed with Lou Dobbs, Wolf Blitzer and Bill O'Reilly and discussed the crash that night.

I had been on a one day business trip to NY and sat in seat 16A just behind the left engine. My trip was a last minute decision the day before. I finished my meetings early on Thursday and realized I had time to attend the 12 noon mass at St. Patrick Cathedral. It was unusual for me to have the extra time, but that day I did. After Mass, I stopped by the gift shop just across from the cathedral and purchased your book, "7 Secrets of the Eucharist." As I waited to board flight 1549 bound for Charlotte, where I live, I began reading your book. I continued reading while we taxied until just after take off.

I think I got through about half of it and then decided to close my eyes and reflect on the incredible insights your book gave me regarding the Eucharist. We were climbing out and just a minute or so into the flight I heard the impact of the bird strikes and then the explosion in the left engine. I could see it on fire and the cabin began to smell like jet fuel. As a private pilot, once I realized the second engine was also not functioning, things became quite tense.

While I had known about and prayed the Divine Mercy chaplet years before, I had not really focused on it in quite a long time. Ironically, I had prayed the chaplet the day before at 3 pm. I had forgotten that in my briefcase I had long kept a copy of a booklet of the Divine Mercy chaplet which had excerpts from St. Faustina's diary. When I arrived in NY, I had some time at my hotel and decided to clean out my briefcase, something long overdue. I found the Divine Mercy booklet, prayed the chaplet, and read some of the words of Jesus to Faustina.

Before we hit the water, I thought about the words Jesus said, that nothing would be refused if asked for during the hour of mercy.* I really thought there was a good chance myself and others would die that day, but I asked God to be merciful to us, I prayed the Lord' prayer and a Hail Mary. I then prayed to St. Michael, and we impacted the water. The odds were not with us that day, but God clearly was. I believe it is the only jet airliner to successfully ditch in the water without fatalities in the history of aviation.

I just want you to know that your book gave me comfort as we were going down, and for that I am grateful. I know a lot of people prayed on that plane, and I believe the Miracle on the Hudson was a testament to the mercy of God, and a sign of hope.

Take care and may God continue to bless your ministry and all you do to spread the message of Divine Mercy and the wonders of Holy Communion.

Best regards,

Fred Berretta

*Flight 1549 crashed into the Hudson River during the 3 o'clock hour (at about 3:30 pm), which Christ told St. Faustina is "the hour of great mercy." It was during this hour that His heart was pierced by a lance, and blood and water gushed forth as a fountain of mercy for the world. "In this hour," He told her, "I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion." (Diary of Saint Faustina, #1182, 1320.)

Pray and Fast for Our Poor Country

A suffering friend who I believe is close to the heart of God, has suggested we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet three times every day between now and election day focusing on our poor, distressed country. I echo her plea. Especially pray for the conversion of those who favor and work for the child-killing industry. Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life urged those participating in the 40 Days for Life Campaign to follow the Daniel Fast for the next 21 days abstaining from wine and meat. Remember that some demons can only be driven out by prayer and fasting. Put power behind your prayer with at least some form of fasting.

Beg for God's mercy on America through the intercession of the Blessed Mother and the Guardian Angel of the United States:

1. Please pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet three times in a row. If you can, please put a high priority on doing this every day through Election Day.

2. On the Hail Mary beads, instead of saying: "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us, and on the whole world" pray: "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us (me), have mercy on our country, have mercy on the whole world."

3. On the Our Father beads, on which we would normally pray: V. "Eternal Father, I (we) offer You the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ." R. "In atonement for our sins, and the sins of the whole world." Change the response to: "In atonement for our sins, the sins of our country, the sins of the whole world."

4. End with: V. "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One" (unchanged) R. "Have mercy on us, have mercy on our country, have mercy on the whole world." (changed)

Please note that this is in no way a proposed change for the Divine Mercy Chaplet, but is particularly to be said during this time (and times to come) when our country's future is in serious peril, and our closeness to God and following His commands as a nation in serious jeopardy.

God bless us all! Have mercy on us, O Lord. If You spare us, Your mercy will be pure mercy: since we have no deserving because of our own sins, and the sins of our country as we stood by and even cooperated by voting for those who would perpetuate and increase the evil of killing unborn babes, children and innocent people. We scarcely have the courage to pray for Your Divine mercy, if it were not for Your mercy. Amen.

Desecration of the Eucharist on YouTube

As of today, I'm not posting any more YouTube videos on my blog. Desecration of the Eucharist is apparently the approved policy of the video channel. Starting with PZ Myers desecration, there are now a series of such acts on YouTube and Catholics can expect to see more. Until YouTube changes its policy to halt these obscenities, I'm through with YouTube.

These desecrations are a powerful witness of why we must return to Communion on the tongue which offers much less opportunity to steal hosts for desecration. Of course, if a disturbed or wicked individual is intent on this behavior, nothing will stop him. Please make acts of reparation for the blasphemies and sacrileges against Jesus Christ and our Blessed Mother. Recite the Litany of Reparation and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the deluded souls who engage in what is a true hate crime against the Lord of universe. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy.