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FEAST OF DIVINE MERCY: ‘We can experience the mercy of God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation’

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Every year hundreds of devotees come together on the Feast of Divine Mercy, where they participate in the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on the Altar, Confession, a recital of the Holy rosary, and singing of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. A parishioner is seen reaching out to a Divine Mercy image during the celebrations on Sunday. Photo: Ron Tan.

By Amanda Murthy

“There are several ways that we as Catholics can experience the Mercy of God. The Lord wants to take all our burdens from us, but first we must approach him.”

Fr Donald Kettle delivered this message during the Divine Mercy celebrations at the St Mary’s Cathedral, where he spoke in front of hundreds of devotees last Sunday.

In celebrating the Mass, he was joined by concelebrants Fr David Watt, Fr Marcellinus Meilak (OFM), Fr Andre Nahas, Fr Mariusz Gzrech, and Fr Nicholas Nweke. 

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Fr Kettle, the principal celebrant is seen approaching the Blessed Sacrament during the exposition. Photo: Amanda Murthy.

The annual devotions, which commenced in 1992, started at 1pm with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Confession and Holy Rosary which reflected on the Glorious mysteries.

The congregation then participated in Divine Mercy prayers and Benediction, and venerated the relic of Saint Faustina Kowalska, who is known as the Saint of the Blessed Sacrament.

Fr Kettle challenged the congregation to believe in the power of confession, as it is God’s gift to His Church citing that many Catholics these days choose to receive Holy Communion, but do not believe in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

“People today would rather have an imaginary truth rather than have truth itself-We cannot doubt the necessity of the sacraments without doubting Christ himself.”

“Therefore we need to put our faith in the truth, not the truth we wish to believe in, but the truth Himself,” he added.

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Altar servers are seen holding the relic of Saint Faustina Kowalska which was open to the congregation for veneration at the Divine Mercy celebrations. Photo: Ron Tan.

He invited those present to look back on the events that occurred following Jesus Resurrection from the dead.

“Jesus appeared to his apostles and greeted them saying “peace be with you”, he prayed over them and gave them the power of the Holy Spirit, which gave them the power to forgive sins.”

“This is why we confess our sins to a priest- To doubt these things is to doubt Jesus Christ himself,” he said

He left the congregation with a powerful message on St Faustina’s account of Jesus’ promise on the topic of confession.

"The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened."