New Divine Mercy Shrine is open daily

“My heart overflows with great mercy for souls, and especially for poor sinners. If only they could understand that I am the best of fathers to them and that it is for them that the blood and water flowed from my heart as from a fount overflowing with mercy.” — Words of Jesus recorded in “Diary of St Faustina: Divine Mercy In My Soul,” no. 367

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor opened a new Divine Mercy Shrine for the Diocese of Little Rock on Sunday, June 11, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). The special celebration began with a bilingual Mass at 12:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock. Participants then processed one mile to St. Edward Church where Bishop Taylor blessed the new image of the Divine Mercy and lead the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. He signed the decree officially creating a diocesan shrine and conclude the event with Benediction. Light refreshments were served after the ceremony. 

St. Edward Church and Divine Mercy Shrine welcomes visitors from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily Monday through Friday. Mass, reconciliation (confession) and eucharistic adoration (exposition of the Blessed Sacrament) will be offered at special times. See complete schedule below:

Monday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (open)
Tuesday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (open); 4-5 p.m. (closed); 5-6 p.m. (eucharistic adoration, reconciliation); 6 p.m. (Mass)
Wednesday: 7 a.m. (Mass); 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (open); 4-5 p.m. (closed); 5-6 p.m. (eucharistic adoration, reconciliation)
Thursday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (open); 4-5 p.m. (closed); 5-6 p.m. (eucharistic adoration, reconciliation); 6 p.m. (Mass)
Friday: 7 a.m. (Mass); 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (open); 3-4 p.m. (eucharistic adoration, reconciliation)
Saturday: 3-4 p.m. (eucharistic adoration, reconciliation); 4 p.m. (Mass)
Sunday: 9 a.m. (Mass); 10-11 a.m. (open); 11 a.m. (Mass, Spanish); noon – 1 p.m. (open); 1 p.m. (Mass, Spanish); 2-3 p.m. (open); 3-4 p.m. (eucharistic adoration, reconciliation)

The shrine is based on the worldwide divine mercy devotion that developed from the apparitions of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun, who wrote in her diary that she witnessed a vision of Jesus on Feb. 22, 1931, while she was living at a convent in Plock, Poland. She wrote that Jesus had one hand raised in benediction and the other resting over his heart, from which emanated two rays of light. 

St. John Paul II canonized St. Faustina on May 1, 2000. Five days later the Vatican decreed that the Second Sunday of Easter would henceforth be known as Divine Mercy Sunday, which recognizes that God’s love and mercy endure forever and overcome any sin that separates us from him.

Parishes celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday with holy hours, which might include adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Benediction, Praises of Divine Mercy, Litany of the Precious Blood, novenas, rosaries, or other prayers and songs, or the sacraments of anointing of the sick and reconciliation.

The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy is located in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and offers Mass, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, rosary and talks via livestream. Visit Catholic Icing and Teaching Catholic Kids for tips to teach your kids about this devotion.