Divine Letter from Most Rev. John O. Barres on April 19, 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the way” during this time, namely, “the light of Twenty years ago, on April 30, 2000, Pope Saint ,” the supernatural gift that uplifts John Paul II canonized Saint , the every generation.2 What he proposed to humanity in humble messenger of Divine Mercy. During his his homily two decades ago, he still proposes from homily at the of her “the window of the Father’s , while reflecting on house”3 today: A radical receptivity the timeliness of the message of of God’s “great and unfathomable mercy for the twentieth century, the mercy.”4 Polish pontiff pondered what humanity’s future might be like. He This Divine Mercy Sunday 2020, answered plainly. “We are not encouraged by Pope Saint John given to know. However, it is Paul II who points to merciful light certain that in addition to new in the midst of darkness, the progress there will unfortunately be Diocese of Rockville Centre no lack of painful experiences.”1 receives anew the message of mercy entrusted to Saint Faustina. The COVID-19 pandemic, which Together, on this Second Sunday of has impacted families, parishes, , we look upon the Image of and communities across Long the Divine Mercy. In contemplating Island and beyond, stands today as this serene painting of Our Lord, one of those painful experiences. we discover again three aids for What Pope Saint John Paul II knew these days of crisis: Christ’s gaze, vaguely to be on the horizon then is His action, and a timely prayer. sadly ours to experience firsthand now. The devastating effects of the coronavirus – death, First, beginning at the top of the Image, we illness, fear, uncertainty, isolation, unemployment, encounter the gaze of mercy. There, the Lord’s eyes financial distress – have invaded our lives. The look upon us. How good this is to hear and know weight of this Cross has fallen on our shoulders. 1 Pope John Paul II, Homily at the Mass for the Canonization of Sr. Mary Faustina Kowalska, April 30, 2000. Although Pope Saint John Paul II could not have 2 Ibid. foreseen the particularities of the pain we are 3 Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Homily at the Funeral Mass of the Roman 4 Pontiff John Paul II, April 8, 2005. enduring, he knew the soothing balm that would Faustina Kowalska, Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy bring us peace. He understood what would “illumine in My Soul (Stockbridge, MA: Marian Press, 2007) no. 570. again! looks at us. He sees us as we are, laden, of the Divine Mercy, the familiar line is more especially now, with the anxieties, burdens, and striking. Its five words formulate perfectly a prayer challenges of life. He sees us just as he saw those in the midst of so much uncertainty. How good is Gospel figures whom we met this - the the Lord! He still teaches his disciples how to pray Samaritan woman at the well, the man born blind, (cf. Lk. 11:1), and He invites us to make these and Martha and Mary, the grieving sisters of words the signature of our lives. This prayer is not Lazarus. He loves us as He loved them. When offered blindly. It is said after having met the feelings of loneliness or discouragement arise, when Lord’s gaze and having been vivified in His life- questions pervade our hearts or perplexities disturb giving rays. Our bold placing of trust arises from our peace, the Image reminds us that we can look to “the ocean of mercy” He has shown to us and from the Lord and always find Him which we have received.10 looking at us. In his eyes, we Through our contemplation of can discover “the look of love the Image, we recall that God which [we] crave.”5 There, we has moved towards us, that He can meet mercy, “the greatest has loved us, and that He has attribute of God,” which “no shown mercy to us, and mind, be it of man or of angel, therefore, we know it is will be able to fathom it reasonable to say, “Jesus, I trust throughout all eternity.”6 in you.”

Second, in contemplating the The Lord’s look, His love, and Image of the Divine Mercy, that brief prayer are special we note the two rays gifts this year. They offer emanating from Our Lord’s consolation. They provide breast, one red and one pale. peace. As the Lord told Saint Faustina, “The pale ray stands The Image of the Divine Mercy for the Water which makes also serves as “a reminder of souls righteous. The red ray the demands of [His] mercy.”11 stands for the Blood which is As Pope Saint John Paul II said the life of souls.”7 With the in his second encyclical, Dives Church through centuries, we in Misericordia (Rich in see in them the , Mercy), “Jesus Christ taught Baptism and , and we that man not only receives and trace these gifts of life back to experiences the mercy of God, their source, His pierced side (cf. Jn. 19:34). These but that he is also called ‘to practice mercy’ towards glorious rays flow from woundedness. Their origin is others.”12 In short, we who have received mercy are in the victory of the Cross. They highlight an act of called to give mercy. love, a total gift of self. This pale ray and red ray remind us that the Lord has acted for us. In these weeks, the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Undeserving though we were, he loved us to the end Mercy are being lived radiantly. Witnesses of mercy (cf. Jn. 13:1) and laid down his life for us. “God is are in our midst, and our gratitude flows to the love, and Mercy is His deed.”8 And we are the many who are sharing what they have received. beneficiaries of that mercy. In these weeks, when God might seem unmoved or distant, these rays proclaim again the tender mercy shown from the 5 See Pope Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter, Deus Caritas Est, 18. Cross. They profess that God has acted and that He 6 Pope Kowalska, John Paul Diary II,, Homilynos. 301 at and the 699. Mass for the Canonization of Sr. Mary 7Faustina Ibid, no. Kowalska 299. , April 30, 2000. still acts with a mercy that sustains the world. 8 Ibid. Ibid, no. 651. 9 Joseph Ibid, no. Cardinal 47. Ratzinger, Homily at the Funeral Mass of the Roman Pontiff 10John Ibid, Paul no. II1319., April 8, 2005. Third, we read the “signature” at the bottom of the 11 Faustina Ibid, no. Kowalska, 742. Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: , “Jesus, I trust in you.”9 On this year’s Feast 12in PopeMy Soul John (Stockbridge, Paul II, Encyclical MA: Marian Letter, Press,Dives 2007)in Misericordia no. 570. , 14. We call to mind the heroic virtue and tender protect, love and serve life.”14 The truth and beauty mercy alive in our families and among our of the encyclical is underscored in these days when neighbors. With , we think, too, of our fragility is before us and society is united in its those women and men who are “writing the concern for life. decisive events of our time: doctors, nurses, supermarket employees, cleaners, caregivers, The second anniversary falls on May 18th, when we providers of transport, law and order forces, will celebrate the centenary of Pope Saint John Paul volunteers, priests, deacons, religious men and II’s birth. Spending time with this indefatigable women and so very many others.”13 In this preacher of mercy, it is good to remember that his challenging time, mercy is on display. life was not immune to crisis and turmoil. He witnessed and experienced much that could have Divine Mercy Sunday falls this year between two weighed him down. However, throughout his notable anniversaries in the life and pontificate of journey, he turned to the Lord and sought to know Pope Saint John Paul II. Both of which provide His mercy. May he help us invite the Divine Mercy insight and wisdom for our present situation. into our lives, especially in these days.

The first anniversary occurred on March 25th, Together with Pope Saint John Paul II and Saint when we marked twenty-five years since the Faustina, let us implore Almighty God: release of Pope Saint John Paul II’s encyclical letter on the Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae). I fly to Your mercy, Compassionate God, who That letter shone the light of the Divine Mercy on alone are good. Although my misery is great, threats against life. It articulated the good news of and my offenses are many, I trust in Your life, a gift from God that leads to eternal life with mercy, because You are the God of mercy; God, and it called every person to “respect, and, from time immemorial, it has never been heard of, nor do or earth remember, that a soul trusting in Your mercy has been disappointed.15

Let us pray for the souls of those who have died from the coronavirus and for the solace of their families. We entrust them to the Divine Mercy.

And whatever may come, let us never fail to say, Jesus, I trust in you.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend John O. Barres Bishop of Rockville Centre

13 Pope Francis, Extraordinary Moment of Prayer, March 27, 2020. 14 Pope John Paul II, Encyclical Letter, Evangelium Vitae, March 25, 1995, 5. 15 Kowalska, Diary, no. 1730.