April 2024 Prayer Guide

Pray

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflect

Each year, on the Second Sunday of Easter, the Church celebrates the Sunday of Divine Mercy. In the 1930s, Jesus appeared to a humble Polish nun, St. Maria Faustina Kowalska. As Jesus continued to appear to St. Faustina, she recorded His messages in her Diary. On one such occasion, Jesus said to St. Faustina, “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners” (Diary, no. 699).

When recalling our sins, we may feel discouraged or fearful of approaching God; however, we can cling to the truth that Christ's Passion on the Cross did not end in death, but in the joy of the Resurrection. The miracle of Easter gives us the courage to face our sins, confess our mistakes, and then humbly receive God's forgiveness and accept the joy that comes with new life in Christ. In his infinite love for us, God desires nothing more than to wash away our sins and offer us his mercy. He has a prepared place in his merciful heart for each of us, and no sin is bigger than his power to forgive. 

No matter how we have fallen, the Resurrection of Christ is an assurance of hope. Christ’s mercy is constantly available to us, if only we reach out to him in faith and confidence through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The words Christ revealed to St. Faustina, he also speaks to us: “Lay your head on my shoulder, rest and regain your strength. I am always with you” (>Diary, no. 498).

Act

(Choose one.)

• Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3:00 pm (the Hour of Mercy) for the intention of healing for all suffering from involvement in abortion.
   
• Jesus spoke to St. Faustina, “Reveal all the wounds of your heart. I will heal them” (Diary, no. 1487). Seek Christ in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and allow His healing mercy to reach every hurt and hidden pain. 
   
• Offer some other sacrifice or prayer that you feel called to do for this month’s intention.

One Step Further

In this two-minute video, several women share their journeys towards a path of hope. Through the help of Project Rachel Ministry, they found healing from the hidden suffering they carried after their abortions. Please raise awareness by viewing and sharing on social media.