SAUK CITY — Divine Mercy Sunday will be celebrated on April 11 at St. Aloysius Church, 115 Madison St., in Sauk City. The festivities will begin at 12:30 p.m. and conclude with the holy sacrifice of the Mass celebrated by Bishop Robert C. Morlino at 4 p.m.
This special Mass will also celebrate the day that St. Aloysius, St. Mary, and St. Camillus Parishes are merged into Divine Mercy Parish.
The Feast of Divine Mercy has its roots deeply planted in the Old and New Testament and in the early Catholic Church tradition. On April 30, 2000, Pope John Paul II declared that throughout the universal Church, the Sunday after Easter will be known as Divine Mercy Sunday.
Message of Divine Mercy
The message of Divine Mercy is that God is merciful. He is love itself poured out for everyone, and this love is more powerful than any kind of evil in which individuals, humanity, or the world are entangled.
Believing in this love means believing in this mercy, for mercy is an indispensable dimension of love. Mercy is the specific manner in which love is revealed, and God wants no one to escape this merciful love. He wants all to turn to him with trust and repentance. The first act of trust is to receive His mercy.
Pope John Paul II referred to the many instructions that Jesus gave to St. Faustina in the 1930s regarding his request for a Feast of Mercy.
Jesus promised that He would pour out His mercy like a “whole ocean of graces” to those who go to Confession and receive Holy Communion. He also instructed her to paint an image of him just as he appeared to her and to have it blessed and venerated on the first Sunday after Easter throughout the world.
The image of the Divine Mercy will also be on display at St. Aloysius Church.
Events on Sunday
The festivities will begin with a welcome and introduction at 12:30 p.m. in the St. Aloysius School gym. This will be followed by a procession with the Divine Mercy image to the church. Featured speakers, music, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, and Confession will continue in the church, with Mass scheduled for 4 p.m.
There will also be refreshments, videos, and literature available in the lobbies and church basement. Childcare and assisted listening devices will be available.
St. Aloysius Church is joining with cluster parishes St. Mary, Merrimac; St. Norbert, Roxbury; St. Barnabas, Mazomanie; and St. John, Mill Creek, to celebrate this event. Everyone is encouraged to come for a portion or all of the afternoon and take advantage of the incredible promises available on the Feast of Divine Mercy Sunday.
Other Divine Mercy Sunday events
Divine Mercy Sunday events on Sunday, April 11, in the Diocese of Madison include:
- DARLINGTON — Holy Rosary Parish, 730 Wells St.: Eucharistic Adoration after the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass; Divine Mercy Chaplet; Sacrament of Reconciliation.
- MADISON — Bishop O’Connor Center, 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison: Confessions from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.; Rosary at 1 p.m.; Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer presiding at Mass at 2 p.m., followed by benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and chaplet of Divine Mercy.
- SAUK CITY — St. Aloysius Church, 115 Madison St., Sauk City: festivities begin at 12:30 p.m. and conclude with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Robert C. Morlino at 4 p.m.