Divine Mercy novenas begin Good Friday, end April 7

    In the Jubilee Year of 2000, at the canonization of Saint Faustina, Pope John Paul II declared the Sunday after Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday. Special graces of mercy for the forgiveness of sin and remittance of the temporal punishment for sin are available on this day. The conditions for these graces include: asking for Divine Mercy with complete trust; repentance of all sins and reception of the sacrament of reconciliation either during Lent or before receiving communion on Divine Mercy Sunday; veneration of the image of Divine Mercy; and practice of mercy in dealings with others.
    This year, Divine Mercy Sunday is April 7. The Apostles of Divine Mercy encourage pastors to celebrate this special day by displaying the Divine Mercy image and speaking about God’s mercy in the homily (“I will anoint their words and touch the hearts of those to whom they will speak.” Diary No. 1521). The novena to the Divine Mercy also can help prepare for this feast (it begins on Good Friday).
    The major archdiocesan celebration will take place April 7 at St. Joseph Church, 1802 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, beginning with confessions at 1 p.m., Holy Hour at 1:30 p.m. with the recitation of the rosary and eucharistic adoration, followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 2:30 p.m. and Mass at 3 p.m., with Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, celebrant and homilist. Blessing with relic of St. Faustina will follow Mass. For details, contact Margaret Bieser at 577‑0385.  Limited materials are available. See also Association of Marian Helpers’ website, www.marian.org; and the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy website, www.thedivinemercy.org.
    Other services and celebrations include:
     ➤ Annunciation, 517 Avenue B, Bogalusa, will observe Divine Mercy Sunday on April 7 with a Mass at 2 p.m. in church, followed by recitation and closing prayers of the Divine Mercy novena, conducted by the Annunciation Rosary Society. Following the close of the novena, members will have fellowship at a reception in the Dobyns Center.    
    ➤ Ascension of Our Lord, 799 Fairway Dr., LaPlace, will begin private daily recitation of the novena on Good Friday, concluding with recitation of the chaplet in church following the 10:30 a.m. Mass on April 7.
    ➤ Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, 3053 Dauphine St., New Orleans, will celebrate a Divine Mercy Mass April 7 at 3 p.m. in English, sign language and Spanish. Every Thursday, recitation of Divine Mercy chaplet in Spanish at 6:30 p.m. followed by 7 p.m. Mass in Spanish.
    ➤ Christ the King, 535 Deerfield Road, Terrytown, will recite the Divine Mercy devotion at 3:45 p.m., followed by rosary at 4 p.m. and concluding with 4:30 p.m. Mass.
    ➤ Divine Mercy Parish, will celebrate beginning with regular Mass schedules at Nativity of Our Lord and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton churches. Divine Mercy devotions will conclude on April 7 at Nativity of Our Lord Church, 3325 Loyola Dr., Kenner, at 3 p.m. (hour of mercy), the Divine Mercy devotions, confessions, blessing of Divine Mercy images, and concluding with a procession with the image of Divine Mercy.    
    ➤ Immaculate Conception Parish, 4401 Seventh St., Marrero, will recite the novena followed by Good Friday service March 29 at 2 p.m. Novena recitation on Holy Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m.; Easter Sunday, March 31, 3 p.m.; Easter Monday through Friday, April 1-5, 5 p.m.; Easter Saturday, April 6, 2 p.m.; concluding on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 7, with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, benediction, rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet and homily beginning at 3 p.m.
    ➤ Infant Jesus of Prague Mission, 700 Maple St., Harvey, April 7, the rosary will be recited at 2 p.m., followed by the Divine Mercy chaplet and veneration of the Divine Mercy Image and the first class relic of St. Faustina. Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. (Mercy Hour) with Auxiliary Bishop Shelton J. Fabre as celebrant and homilist. Fellowship and refreshments will conclude the celebration in Carmel Hall.
    ➤ Mary Queen of Peace, 1501 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, will recite the Divine Mercy chaplet April 7 after the 8, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Masses and after the 6 p.m. Mass. There will be an extended celebration after the 11:30 a.m. Mass. Sandra Martin, OCDS, a secular Carmelite and spiritual director, will speak about Divine Mercy on April 2 from 9:45-10:45 a.m. and from 7-8 p.m.
    ➤ Our Lady of Guadalupe, 411 North Rampart St., New Orleans, April 7, benediction and recitation of the Divine Mercy chaplet at 3 p.m. with homily and adoration.     
    ➤ Our Lady of Prompt Succor, 2320 Paris Road, Chalmette: April 7, 11 a.m. Mass; encourages parishioners to receive special graces by trusting in God’s mercy, receiving reconciliation during Lent, attending Mass, receive communion, venerating Divine Mercy image and being merciful.
    ➤ Our Lady of the Lake, 312 Lafitte St., Mandeville, will celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy April 7 from 3 to 5 p.m. with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet in song, additional Divine Mercy devotional prayers, closing benediction, concluding with veneration of Divine Mercy image. Reconciliation also will be available during this time.
    ➤ Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 1908 Short St., Kenner, will recite chaplet after 9 a.m. morning prayer on Good Friday and Holy Saturday and after the 3 p.m. service on Good Friday; after all Easter Sunday Masses; after weekday Masses Easter Monday through Easter Friday at 6:25 and 9 a.m.; and on Easter Saturday after the 6:25 a.m., 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Vigil Mass. Confessions will be heard 30 minutes before all Sunday Masses. On Mercy Sunday, the chaplet and adoration will begin at 2:30 p.m., with 3 p.m. Divine Mercy Mass, followed by blessing with relic of St. Faustina.
    ➤ Sacred Heart, 28088 Main St., Lacombe, April 7, Divine Mercy chaplet at 3 p.m. followed by Mass and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, concluding with benediction in church.
    ➤ St. Anthony, 2653 Jean Lafitte Blvd., Lafitte, recitation of the novena and Good Friday service March 29 at 6:45 p.m.; novena at 7 p.m. followed by Easter Vigil Mass March 30 at 7:30 p.m.; Easter Sunday, March 31, 10:45 a.m., novena followed by Mass; then Easter Monday through Friday, April 1-5, Mass and novena at 7 p.m.; Easter Saturday, April 6, 3:45 p.m., novena followed by Mass; concluding on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 7, with the Hour of Mercy devotion at 3 p.m.
    ➤ St. Anthony of Padua, Luling, and St. Mark, Ama, (see St. Mark, Ama).
    ➤ St. Genevieve, 58203 Hwy. 433, Slidell, will celebrate Divine Mercy devotion with Mass at 11 a.m. followed by adoration until 3 p.m. Rosary will be recited at 2 p.m. and reflection led by Deacon Paul Mumme.
    ➤ St. Gertrude, 17292 La. Highway 631, Des Allemands (see St. John the Baptist, Paradis).
    ➤ St. Hubert, 176 Anthony Monica St., Garyville, will celebrate Mercy Sunday April 7 beginning at 2 p.m. with adoration, recitation of the Divine Mercy chaplet and benediction at 3 p.m., followed by 3:30 p.m. Mass.
    ➤ St. Jerome, 2402 33rd St., Kenner, will recite the Divine Mercy chaplet beginning Good Friday after Stations of the Cross in Spanish, concluding with a bilingual service on April 7 at 3 p.m.
    ➤ St. Joan of Arc, 529 West 5th St., LaPlace, will recite the Divine Mercy novena and chaplet beginning Good Friday after the 3 p.m. service; Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday at 3 p.m.; Easter Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m.; Easter Tuesday following 5:30 p.m. Mass; and Easter Saturday following 4:30 p.m. Mass. On April 7, adoration begins at 2 p.m. followed singing of the Divine Mercy chaplet at 3 p.m.
    ➤ St. John the Baptist, Paradis, and St. Gertrude, Des Allemands, will have a combined devotion, with recitation of the Divine Mercy chaplet and novena April 7 in St. John the Baptist Church at 3 p.m. followed by a small social in the parish hall.
    ➤  St. Mark, Ama and St. Anthony of Padua, Luling, will have a combined parish Divine Mercy Sunday celebration, to be held at St. Mark Church, 10771 River Road, Ama, beginning with confession and Eucharistic Adoration at 1 p.m., followed by Eucharistic procession on the levee at 2:30 p.m. Divine Mercy Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. followed by refreshments in the CA building.
    ➤ St. Matthew the Apostle, 10021 Jefferson Hwy., River Ridge, will celebrate the Divine Mercy devotion beginning at with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 2 to 3:30 p.m., recitation of the Holy Rosary at 2:30 p.m., chaplet at 3 p.m., sung by the SMA Children’s Choir, and concluding with benediction at 3:30 p.m.
    ➤ St. Patrick, 28698 Highway 23, Port Sulphur, April 7, Divine Mercy Mass at 3 p.m., with confessions prior to Mass. Refreshments to follow in the Family Life Center.
    ➤ St. Peter, 125 East Nineteenth Ave., Covington, will have Eucharistic adoration in the church following the 5 p.m. Mass from 6-9 p.m., with chaplet recitation on each hour and special prayers during each hour: 6 p.m., for youth and young adults; 7 p.m., for marriage and family life; and at 8 p.m., for the protection of life. Confessions will be offered after the 5 p.m. Mass.
    ➤ St. Rita, 7100 Jefferson Hwy., Harahan, will recite the novena on Good Friday following the 7 a.m. morning prayer and on Holy Saturday following the 8:30 a.m. morning prayer.  On Easter Sunday, all are encouraged to offer the chaplet following the Mass of their choice. Monday through Friday of Easter week, the chaplet will be offered following the 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Masses, and on Easter Saturday following the 8:30 a.m. Mass. St. Rita Harahan will not celebrate a 3 p.m. Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday, rather encouraging everyone to attend the Mass at St. Joseph Church celebrated by Archbishop Gregory Aymond.