Divine Mercy Sunday: A Beacon for Pilgrims of Hope in Jubilee 2025

As the Church journeys through the Jubilee Year 2025, Divine Mercy Sunday, celebrated on the second Sunday of Easter, shines with renewed significance for all "Pilgrims of Hope".

Rooted in Christ’s Paschal Mystery and the private revelations of St. Faustina Kowalska, Divine Mercy Sunday reminds the faithful of God's boundless compassion. Christ, appearing to St. Faustina in the 1930s, asked for a special feast honouring His mercy, symbolised by the iconic Divine Mercy image with rays of blood and water flowing from His heart (John 19:34).

Canonised in 2000 by St. John Paul II, who officially established the feast, St. Faustina’s message of mercy moved from private revelation to universal celebration. Successive popes have reinforced that divine mercy is central to the Christian faith, not a peripheral devotion.

The Gospel for Divine Mercy Sunday (John 20:19–31) portrays Christ breathing the Holy Spirit on the apostles, granting them the power to forgive sins—mercy in action. This powerful encounter urges believers to trust deeply in God’s healing love.

This year, the feast resonates strongly with the Jubilee’s theme. Pilgrims are invited to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation, receive the Eucharist worthily, venerate the Divine Mercy image, and practise mercy towards others. In doing so, they respond to Christ’s promise of extraordinary graces to those who trust in His mercy.

In a world marked by uncertainty, Divine Mercy Sunday stands as a radiant beacon, assuring believers that God’s mercy—not human frailty—has the final word. Echoing St Faustina’s timeless prayer: "Jesus, I trust in You."

By Fr. Valerian Lobo

Jamshedpur Diocese