Divine Mercy is so essential, especially in these troubled times with war and various other serious problems globally.

“There is conflict because of division, and it’s because we know [if] we’re not close to God, we’re not going to be close to one another,” explained Father Juan Ochoa, director of the Office for Divine Worship for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and rector of the Shrine of Divine Mercy located in Christ the King Catholic Church in Hollywood.

“And mercy is about reconciliation. It’s about bringing people together — closer to God, but also to one another. The beautiful Eucharistic prayers that the Church has given us in the liturgy, especially with Eucharistic Prayer I, which speaks about reconciling with God, and then Eucharistic Prayer II, to be reconciled to one another. And this is what Divine Mercy is.”

Reflecting on today’s troubled times, Father Ochoa said that this year on Divine Mercy Sunday, both in the archdiocese and at the Divine Mercy Shrine, “Indeed, we’re going to be praying for peace during the prayer at 3 p.m.”

The celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday, along with the devotion of Divine Mercy, has a firm foundation in Los Angeles at the Shrine of Divine Mercy at Christ the King, which is celebrating its centennial this year.

“Today, this shrine becomes a beacon of light, a symbol of the unfathomable love that God has for each one of us,” Archbishop José Gomez said when dedicating the shrine on Oct. 14, 2023. “It is a place where we can come and experience the transformative power of Divine Mercy. Here, we can seek forgiveness, find strength, and embrace the promise of eternal life.”

This year, people were planning well ahead of Divine Mercy Sunday to celebrate this day at the shrine.

“We are very happy that different parishes called already, about a month ago, and they want to bring pilgrims on this Sunday. We’re expecting several parishes to come as pilgrims,” Father Juan Ochoa told the Register ahead of the Second Sunday of Easter. Formerly pastor of Christ the King Church, he was instrumental in having the shrine recognized officially by the archdiocese. 

“We are very excited because the establishment of the shrine is only about three years old,” he added. Looking at the continuous growth of the shrine, he explained that groups from different parishes are going to come for Mass and all the Divine Mercy celebrations that include the Divine Mercy Chaplet at the Hour of Divine Mercy. One unique part of the day’s celebration will be Stations of the Cross composed by a Polish priest who based them on the writings of St. Faustina, the “Apostle of Divine Mercy,” who received the messages of mercy from Christ in Poland in the 1930s.

 

Exceptional Aspect

Before St. John Paul II established the feast of Divine Mercy on the Sunday after Easter for the universal Church in 2000, parishioners of Christ the King Church were already celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday and promoting the Divine Mercy devotion in 1997.

One of the requirements for celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday includes the veneration of the image of the Divine Mercy. This archdiocesan shrine has one that is considered unique.

Two priests from the parish — Father Zenon Jarzabek and Father George Bobowski — went to the Vatican, and during an audience with Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2003, at their request, the Holy Father himself blessed and signed this image with his initials. This is believed to be the only image in the United States that John Paul II himself blessed and also signed. This icon has become a third-class relic.

On Sept. 13, 2003, this image of Jesus was enthroned in the Divine Mercy chapel in the church. The following day, this Chapel of Divine Mercy at Christ the King Church was blessed by Archbishop Stanislaw Szymecki from Bialystok, Poland.

The shrine also includes painted images of St. Faustina and Blessed Father Michał (Michael) Sopoćko, Faustina’s confessor and spiritual director. Since the installation, the image of the Divine Mercy has drawn not only parishioners but also the wider community. They come to seek Divine Mercy and also to learn that they are called to be instruments of God’s mercy to others.

Since the shrine was established, devotion has grown. Mass attendance has gone up, Father Ochoa observed. And many parishes that have Divine Mercy groups have come to visit on weekdays. Sometimes, well-known people come to pray, including Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus in The Chosen series. 

At the shrine and church, Divine Mercy is celebrated continuously throughout the year. On Divine Mercy Sunday itself, there are several Masses, and the 3 p.m. Hour of Mercy includes exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, reflection on Divine Mercy, Benediction, entrustment of the world to Divine Mercy, and veneration of the relics of Sts. John Paul II, Faustina and Maximilian Kolbe, and Blessed Michał.

People also join to pray the chaplet before the daily morning Masses, during Tuesday evening’s Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and at other times during the week, including Sunday afternoons.

Considering current events, this merciful message is vital. Father Ochoa said there are “differences in the world, different perspectives within human beings. … We know there are conflicts everywhere. And mercy is about reconciliation. It’s about peace. We all want peace, but there can be no peace without reconciliation.”

Turning to “Divine Mercy, you’ve reconciled with God first — and then reconcile with your neighbor. Come home to be with our Father. And in being one with our Father, we’re also being one with our brothers and sisters.”