Leitrim letters: Divine Mercy Sunday draws near

Once again Divine Mercy Sunday draws near which is the first Sunday after Easter Sunday and falls on the 27th April this year. As the name suggests, this is the day of infinite Mercy as spoken of by Jesus to Sr Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun, when the floodgates of Gods love and compassion are opened for the whole world. This is not something to be taken lightly or brushed aside because every single person is in deep need of Gods Mercy.

No sin can enter Heaven - in other words, if a person dies with sins which have not been confessed or sins not properly atoned for, then the soul of that person cannot go straight to Heaven.

If the sins are venial in nature the soul will go to Purgatory for a certain period depending on the severity of the sins and contingent on the the prayers and sacrifices offered up for that soul by the faithful here on earth.

If however the sins are mortal in nature, that soul is unfortunately lost and goes to Hell. We cannot assume that any particular soul is gone to Hell because Gods infinite Mercy is available to every soul right up to their last breath, What we are sure of, is that Hell exists and that souls go there.

Our Lady in Fatima allowed the children to see Hell and the souls therein. Following that, these young children prayed earnestly day and night and offered very severe penances to God to save souls from going to that place as they called it.

On Divine Mercy Sunday, we have the unparalleled privilege of availing of Gods Mercy with a few small conditions; 1. To go to Confession on Divine Mercy Sunday 2. To receive Holy Communion on that day 3. To attend Holy Mass where the Priest speaks about Gods infinite Mercy 4. To perform some deed(s) of Mercy in the time leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday 5. To venerate publicly an image of Divine Mercy 6. If possible to pray the Novena of Divine Mercy and do the Chaplet for nine days which commences on Good Friday and precedes Divine Mercy Sunday.

To do the above, Jesus promises that all ones sins are wiped away and all punishment due which is the equivalent of a second baptism and which would mean that a persons soul would go straight to Heaven if they were to die immediately afterwards, regardless of their past life. As Jesus Himself said that even if their sins be like scarlet they will become white as snow.

This indeed should not be missed by anyone who can avail of it as there is absolutely nothing in this life to equal it in goodness.

There are a few places locally that I know of where Divine Mercy Sunday devotions will take place: 1. St Josephs Church, Boyle with Confessions from 2pm and Holy Mass @ 3pm 2. The Dominican Friary, Sligo at the same times 3. Knock with confessions from 11.30am approx and Holy Mass @ 3pm.

From year to year many people die - many who were alive this time last year have since departed - many who are alive now will have departed this time next year so this is the last chance for those people whoever they may be, to avail of this extraordinary Heavenly Gift.

Yours etc.,

Kevin Wynne

Lough Allen

Carrick on Shannon