The Divine Mercy accompanies us at each and every stage of human history, yet it was most fully and perfectly revealed in the Sacred Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Mercy of God promised Adam and Eve a Saviour, made a covenant with Abraham, renewed the covenant periodically with God’s servants, bestowed the Law through Moses, sent many prophets to recall God’s people, and, in the fulness of time, sent God’s only begotten Son into the world to redeem humankind.

Divine Mercy is administered in the daily life and Sacraments of the Church, reflected in the lives of the Saints, and is the eternal reward of all who learn to be merciful or to trust in God’s Mercy.

Mercy does not preclude repentance, a turning away from sin, but nevertheless the mercy of God seeks to be poured out more profusely, wants to be known more completely, and longs to embrace as many souls as possible.

The Lord takes no pleasure in “the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.” (Ezekiel 33:11)

Compare with Jesus’ words to Sister Faustina, a humble Polish nun, in the 1930s:

“The flames of mercy are burning me. I desire to pour them out upon human souls. Oh, what pain they cause Me when they do not want to accept them! My daughter, do whatever is within your power to spread devotion to My mercy. I will make up for what you lack. Tell aching mankind to snuggle close to My merciful Heart, and I will fill it with peace.” (Diary of Saint Faustina, paragraph 1074)

The Divine Mercy is more powerful and more intimate than a mother’s love:

“Everything that exists is enclosed in the bowels of My mercy, more deeply than an infant in its mother’s womb.” (Diary, 1076)

Divine Mercy embraces those who place their trust in the Lord:

“I perform works of mercy in every soul. The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy. My mercy is confirmed in every work of My hands. He who trusts in My mercy will not perish, for all his affairs are Mine, and his enemies will be shattered at the base of My footstool.” (Diary, 723)

“Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy.” (Diary, 699)

Read more: Who is Saint Faustina?