In a series of revelations to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska in the 1930s, God called for a special feast day to be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. Today, we know that feast as Divine Mercy Sunday, named by Pope St. John Paul II at the canonization of St. Faustina on April 30, 2000. Two years later, Pope St. John Paul II attached a plenary indulgence to the special feast day.
This year, Divine Mercy Sunday will be celebrated on April 11. To receive this plenary indulgence, there are the usual standard or three conditions of sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and a prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff.
Next, the specific conditions or “work” required: “On Divine Mercy Sunday…
- in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy
- or, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. “Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!”).”