As a further sign of His forgiving love, Jesus called for a Feast of the Divine Mercy to be celebrated in the whole Church.

Sister Faustina continuing what Our Lord said to her wrote:

'I want this image (of Divine Mercy) to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter; that Sunday is to be the Feast of Mercy.

On that day, the depths of My Mercy will be open to all.

Whoever will go to confession and Holy Communion on that day will receive complete forgiveness of sin and punishment. Mankind will not enjoy peace until it returns to My Mercy.

Oh, what great graces I will grant to souls who say this Chaplet; the very depths of My tender mercy are stirred for the sake of those who say the chaplet. Write down these words, My daughter. Speak to the world about My mercy; let all mankind recognise My unfathomable Mercy. It is a sign for the end times; after it will come the day of justice. While there is still time, let them have recourse to the fount of My mercy; let them profit from the Blood and Water which gushed forth for them.

Say unceasingly this Chaplet that I have taught you. Anyone who says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will receive grace from My Infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to know My Infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in My Mercy.

When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person not as the just judge but as the Merciful Saviour.

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.

On the cross, the fountain of My mercy was opened wide by the lance for all souls---none have I excluded!

The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy.

Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.

Souls perish in spite of My bitter Passion. I am giving them the last hope of salvation; that is, the Feast of My Mercy.

The flames of mercy are burning Me. I desire to pour them out upon human souls. Oh, what pain they cause Me when they do not want to accept them!

Oh, how painful it is to Me that souls so seldom unite themselves to Me......I wait for souls, and they are indifferent towards Me. I love them tenderly and sincerely, and they distrust Me.

I demand from you deeds of mercy which are to arise out of love for Me.You are to show mercy to your neighbours always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse yourself from it

My daughter, encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given to you'.1541

The Holy Father, Pope John Paul ll, has formally instituted the Feast of Divine Mercy to be observed on the First Sunday After Easter.