Lessons from devotion to the Divine Mercy

Every year, on the first Sunday after Easter, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates God’s mercy. This feast day, known as Divine Mercy Sunday, was approved by Pope John Paul II, 23 years ago. The inspiration for this day is found in the diary of Sr Faustin Kowalska, a Polish nun who experienced apparitions of Jesus in 1935.
Some believers share what they have learnt from the Divine Mercy.
Longing for God’s intervention, Monica Lubega, a member of the Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy, first learnt about Divine Mercy in 2013. This was during a retreat in Gogonya, Wakiso District.

Without a job, to help her raise money for her transport, Lubega walked from Rubaga to Wakiso every week.
Lubega learnt about the different Divine Mercy prayers but she felt this was insufficient. She needed a spiritual explanation and understanding of God’s Mercy.

“While at Gogonya, a friend invited me to another retreat in Ggoli, Mpigi District. In this retreat Fr Denis Kizito elaborated the meaning of Divine Mercy in Sr Faustina’s life and why we need to devote ourselves to it,” she says the primary focus of the Divine Mercy devotion is the merciful love of God and the desire to let that love and mercy flow through one’s own heart towards those in need of it.
During the retreat, Lubega got to know that mercy is love that responds to human needs in an unexpected way. At its core, mercy is forgiveness. She says the Bible speaks of God’s love for sinners. “That is, for all of us.” Leaning of God’s mercy helps Christians to be mindful of their actions.

She says upon His resurrection, sins were forgiven, but sinning has never stopped. This causes pain to Jesus’ already wounded body. And through his mercy He goes on to forgive us.
“The retreat was a turning point in my life. It helped me understand the meaning of Christ’s passion and pain I cause to Him each time I sin. His endless mercy washed my spiritual wounds. Before I was used to mindless about sinning since I knew I would confess and definitely be forgiven. But learning of the pain I cause Him each time I committee a sin, today I am careful of my actions.”

My husband got a job after 10 years
For 10 years, Lubega’s husband had no job, yet her shop had closed down. With three children to take care of Lubega never lost trust. Together with her family they kept in prayer seeking for God’s mercy.
“Venerating the image of the Divine Mercy, I kept reading the signature “Jesus I Trust in You.”” With the help from family and friends the couple was able to take care of their children. Today, her oldest daughter is in her third year at the university pursuing a Bachelor of Laws degree on government sponsorship.
“My husband got another job and my family is picking up. I owe this to Divine Mercy.”

I learnt forgiveness
“It is the devotion to Divine Mercy that has taught me how to forgive. I had much to learn about mercy and forgiveness. I thought it was of great importance not to talk to any anyone because I was angry,” Immaculate Nassozi, a businesswoman and an apostle of Divine Mercy shares.

Many talk about forgiveness, but it does not come easy. Before joining the Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy Nassozi lived in anger, hatred and unforgiviness. However, through the different homilies, she found out that she was putting God’s infinite love to a standstill hence losing track of His grace and blessings.
She says praying the chaplet of Divine Mercy was a constant way to let go.
“Mercy has changed me radically. Just as Jesus is merciful to me, in the diary of Sr Faustina, I am called to show the same mercy to all people. If not, then following Jesus and going to church is a lie. She says the message of Divine Mercy has taught her to forgive because Jesus Christ has forgiven the unforgivable in her. Mercy and forgiveness are a spiritual insurance to our hearts.

Financial break through
For long Joseph Kambazza, a businessman, had been struggling with finances. Listening to different testimonies about Divine Mercy and attending retreats, he was convinced of devotion to God’s mercy.
“From the time I started praying the chaplet of Divine Mercy, I have realised a change in my finances. Every time I recite the chaplet I get business deals,” Kambazza says, adding that when he misses saying prayers there is no business. That has kept him committed.

Good deeds
Fr Joseph Luzidana of Youth Encounter Service Nsambya, says there are Mercy deeds Christians need to perform. Prayer: While praying, bring all mankind before God. Such as committing the souls of the religious, the souls of the devout and faithful people.
For the non-believers and those who do not know Jesus, the souls of the humble and for little children, the souls in Purgatory and Souls who have become lukewarm and indifferent.
Say comforting words to those in pain and do charity.