In the Catholic News Herald’s July 12 cover story, “Reclaiming History,” celebrating Our Lady of Consolation Parish’s efforts to preserve a beloved decades-old school building, we are reminded of how God can make all things new. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque writes in her autobiography that Jesus said to her, “…I am the eternal memory of My Heavenly Father, by Whom nothing is forgotten, and before Whom the past and the future are as the present.” As they preserve the past for the present and the future, Our Lady of Consolation will be making their learning center new again.
Jon Gauthier is a member of St. Matthew Parish and a published author.
As the Catholic News Herald cover wars in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere, mankind continues to seek peace without success. Perhaps we need to return to the message of Divine Mercy.
Our Lord’s message of Divine Mercy, as recorded in St. Faustina’s diary, is simple: “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 poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the Fount of My Mercy.”
Jesus asked that the feast of Divine Mercy be preceded by a novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all – the lukewarm and indifferent.
“On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy...On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls...Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy.”
Jon Gauthier is a member of St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte and author of “Embracing Goodness: How Life Works.”