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CommentsOne reader, who prefers to remain anonymous, sent this in:
The Divine Mercy message has the power to take over a person's life. What effect can the message have on the way a person lives? The following list is a start.
You know you're a Divine Mercy apostle if:
1. You estimate distances in terms of Divine Mercy Chaplets ("Such-and-such a place is about two chaplets away ...").
2. You take a slightly longer way to drive home so that you can complete the chaplet you are reciting.
3. At Sunday Mass you mix up parts of the Apostles' Creed with the Nicene Creed.
4. You arrive slightly late for your 3 p.m. appointments because you pray the chaplet during the "Hour of Great Mercy".
5. When you hear that someone is dying, or has died, you immediately recite the conversion prayer that Jesus gave to St. Faustina: "O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You" (Diary, 187).
6. When you see a crucifix you also see the blood and water gushing forth from the Heart of Jesus.
7. You call St. Faustina "my Faustina," as Pope John Paul II did.
8. You carry Divine Mercy brochures and prayercards in your car/handbag just in case you meet someone who may need one.
9. You don't mind waiting anymore because you can use the time to pray the conversion prayer for those around you.
10. You have read St. Faustina's Diary so many times that you need to keep a tally on the inside cover.
11. When you pray the Rosary, you say the Apostles' Creed after the first Hail Mary.
12. You have the image of The Divine Mercy in various places around your home.
13. You hand out cards so other parishioners can commence the Divine Mercy Novena on Good Friday.
14. You have highlighted or underlined your favorite parts of St. Faustina's Diary.
15. You have memorized a favorite prayer from the Diary.
16. On your travel wish-list is a pilgrimage to the Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Poland.
17. You have tremendous trust in Jesus.
18. You don't mind not being able to sleep at night, because it gives you time to pray the chaplet.
19. You keep Rosary beads under your pillow.
20. You are learning more and more about how important the Passion of our Lord is to our salvation.
21. When you go to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, you take the Diary.
22. You pray the chaplet when you wake up in the morning, just in case you forget to pray it at 3 o'clock.
Do you have more? Please add your own ...
Be a part of the discussion. Add a comment now!
A servant of Jesus and Mary - Jan 14, 2009
Wow! Keep going brothers and sisters, keep going...all for Jesus.
deb s - Jan 14, 2009
you carry the Divine Mercy image and Rosary Beads with you at the hospital, and give them to patients who are distressed or looking to pray.
you pray with your patients
patients look at and are happy to see the Nurses for Divine Mercy pin which you wear everywhere.
you know that the rays of mercy flow to patients, as you are the hands and feet of our Lord at the bedside.
you get on your knees every morning to Thank Our Lord for his mercy for letting you be an Apostle of his Mercy
steph - Jan 14, 2009
I find myself doing a few of the things on the list. Some of them I need to get better at. Another thing I have found is I sometimes start the rosary on the wrong bead. Because I confuse it with the chaplet.
Mary - Jan 14, 2009
You keep Divine Mercy prayer cards and pamphlets on the table by the front door for the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses who stop by.
P. - Jan 14, 2009
Before running away with harsh , judgemental thoughts about persons/ sitautions , being able to take a moment to look at our Lord on The Cross , to hear those words - " why are you persecuting Me!"
Thank you for clarifying the intent of the "Blood and water " prayers .
And another aid - the Divine Mercy C.D s to play in the car - the scriptural chaplet that includes verses from the psalms by Bro.Konopka are very good - full of confidant trust ( and hope that there would be enough zeal -which in turn would make the time available ) to take it to nursing homes to play/pray with residents there .
Carrie - Jan 14, 2009
Very cute! I found myself going down the list saying to myself "yes, no, yes, yes . . ." LOL! It's wonderful to know I'm not alone on some of my Divine Mercy quirks ;-)
Brian - Jan 14, 2009
You use the initials 'jitiy' for computer passwords!
You think the Diary should have this on the front cover in large letters: WARNING: READING THIS BOOK COULD RESULT IN YOUR HEART EXPLODING FROM GOD'S LOVE AND MERCY
When you drive past a Church, you spiritually enter into the tabernacle. as St Faustina did when she travelled.
You have a favourite notebook from the Diary
Anne-Marie - Jan 15, 2009
You sacrifice going out to eat a couple times in order to be able to buy the book "Mercy Minutes" Daily Gems of St Faustina to transform your prayer life by Rev. George W. Kosicki, CSB. You put that book next to your favorite spot in your house, preferably in the living room so everyone can see it and read faithfully the Daily Gems, several times a day... and share them with your friends and family when the occassion comes up. You can take it to work to read at lunch time etc. I have copied this article and will make copies to share with our Adult Studay Class next Monday... we are studying Series Two on Divine Mercy. God bless you, and Mary keep you.
A humble servant of Jesus and Mary - Jan 16, 2009
You are always dreaming of the Blessed Day when all hearts are united to the Hearts of Jesus and our Blessed Mother, and mankind's chief preoccupation is the Eucharistic Adoration of Divine Mercy, with the exceeding love of God as its only all encompassing and ultimate end, everything for the Glory of God's Mercy and for the purification of souls which I trust and believe is also the Sweet Divine Eternal Dream of God, the Divine Eternal Vision of the Holy Trinity.
P. - Jan 17, 2009
Joyful that most Divine mercy pictures come unframed and touchable , for the pure joy of being able to touch those rays , The Blood and Water that gushed forth , to undo the torrent of water by the dragon and to bring the truth of His Love , for each of us , for our God created human nature that He Himself loved and embraced and inturn make us look at each other with awe and mystery - He too had shared eyes just like that.. ears just like that and that He can take away all that is in us (and others ) that is not fitting for our status as a child of God !
Thank you beloved Marians for prayers and guidance !
I.C. - Jan 17, 2009
To begin my day with the meditation and eager desire to be an instrument of Love and Mercy and to be witness of Lord Jesus in thoughts, words and deeds.
mm - Jan 19, 2009
When your mind and your body are beyond the ability to formulate any prayer at all, you still hold your rosary in you hand.
martin escoto, philippines - Jan 20, 2009
waking up every morning thinking where you can spread the Divine Mercy images (to churches, chapels, hospitals, or to the poor and dying who are loosing hope in life.
martin escoto - Jan 20, 2009
when you see suffering as a blessing
Cindy - Jan 24, 2009
When you can't wait for Lent to get here so that you can start your lenten journey to Divine Mercy Sunday! How exciting! Just like having Christmas all over again. I can't wait!!
RL of EADM - Jan 24, 2009
On Sunday's,locating the OBIT'S, to Pray the Mercy Prayer "O Blood and Water" for every person listed.
While driving, you Pray the "O Blood and Water" for every LIVING PERSON in the CAR.