The First-degree relic of St Faustina has arrived to our parish!
As you already know, this relic has been given to us by the Religious Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, from the Divine Mercy Shrine in Krakow, Poland.
Following the recommendations I received from the Divine Mercy Shrine, we will keep the relic permanently on display. Their letter to us states:
“Once again we make our most heartfelt request to you, Reverend Father, that the relic be permanently placed in the parish church for public veneration and that it will be kept in a reliquarium, enclosed in a special glass case to protect it against theft and profanation. This way, the faithful will always have access to St Faustina during their prayers in Church and may experience her intercession before God who is rich in Mercy”
This is exactly what we mean to do. As a matter of fact, we are setting up a chapel that will be specially dedicated to the Divine Mercy, where people can visit and pray any time they wish, while the church is open.
“May it bring about the deepening of devotion to the Divine Mercy among your parishioners – the letter continues to say – May devotion to Divine Mercy, which today decides the destiny of the world and of every man and woman, ceaselessly revive the ministries in your parish. May it lead to a more intime relationship with Jesus, opening it to an experience of His merciful love”.
I personally take the arrival of the relic of St Faustina as an extraordinary grace to our parish. May we live up to God’s invitation and fully appreciate the time of God’s visitation (cf Lk 19:44). Once the chapel is ready, we will organize a Mass to welcome the relic. More on this will be forthcoming.
God bless you all.
Fr Carlos