Divine Mercy Sunday

Divine Mercy Sunday
The first Divine Mercy painting by Kazimierowski (1934) at the Divine Mercy Sanctuary (Vilnius)
Official nameFeast of the Divine Mercy
Observed byRoman Catholic Church
ObservancesMass, sacramental confession
DateSecond Sunday of Easter
2024 dateApril 7
2025 dateApril 27
2026 dateApril 12
2027 dateApril 4
First timeApril 30, 2000 (2000-04-30)

Divine Mercy Sunday (also known as the Feast of the Divine Mercy) is a feast day that is observed in the Roman Rite calendar, as well as some Anglo-Catholics of the Church of England (it is not an official Anglican feast). It is celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter, which concludes the Octave of Easter. It is originally based on the Catholic devotion to the Divine Mercy that Faustina Kowalska reported as part of her visions of Jesus, and is associated with special promises from Jesus and indulgences issued by the Catholic Church.

According to the diary of Kowalska, the feast of Divine Mercy receives the biggest promises of grace from Jesus in the Divine Mercy devotion. A person who goes to sacramental confession (the confession may take place some days before) and receives holy communion on that Sunday, shall obtain the total forgiveness of sins and punishments. This grace is similar to the grace received at baptism and greater than a plenary indulgence. Additionally, the Catholic Church also grants a plenary indulgence (observing the usual rules) with the recitation of some simple prayers.