The Spreading of the Worship of Mercy

          Among the new forms of devotion to the Divine Mercy described by Sr. Faustina, one also finds the spreading of the worship of Mercy, as this form of devotion is also connected with the promises the Lord Jesus addressed to all those who undertake this devotional form. Jesus did not precisely define the ways of spreading the worship of Mercy, but He gave us a perfect example of such an apostolate in the life of Sr. Faustina. Thus, the worship of Mercy is primarily to be disseminated through a life in the spirit of total trust in God, that is the fulfillment of His will and mercy towards one's neighbors. Yet, one must not limit oneself to the above stipulations, as one should also proclaim by word the message of Mercy to the world and arouse trust and confidence in one's neighbors. On the pages of the Diary the Lord Jesus summons us many a time to spread the truth about God's merciful love for man, so that each and every one of us could take full advantage of the time and the gifts of mercy upon the earth thus attaining salvation. Oh, if sinners knew My mercy - the Lord confided in Sr. Faustina - they would not perish in such great numbers. Tell sinful souls not to be afraid to approach Me, speak to them of My great Mercy (Diary 1396).

Jesus attaches great importance to the above task, as He addresses special promises to those who perform it. Souls who spread the honor of My mercy I shield through their entire lives as a tender mother her infant, and at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior (Diary 1075). Jesus addresses a special note of encouragement to priests ensuring them that hardened sinners will repent on hearing their words when they speak about My unfathomable mercy, about the compassion I have for them in My Heart (Diary 1521).

          In order to acquit oneself well of the above task, one has to primarily get to know the mystery of God's mercy, meditate upon it after prior analysis of the Holy Scriptures, the encyclical Dives in Misericordia, Sr. Faustina's Diary, as well as other books which have received the Imprimatur of the Church. Penetrating the mystery of the Divine Mercy in the act of creation, salvation and man's eternal unity with God, as well as noticing the operation of God's merciful love in one's personal life, gives rise to the attitude of trust and mercy, as well as a wish to spread this message to others.