Divine Mercy Sunday Plenary Indulgence | 2023

Divine Mercy Sunday is April 16, 2023

Jesus told St. Faustina that this Feast of Mercy would be a very special day when "all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened." (Diary 699) Our Lord made a great promise to all those souls who would go to Confession and then receive Him in Holy Communion on the Feast of Mercy, on the Sunday after Easter, which is now called Divine Mercy Sunday throughout the Catholic Church.

Jesus promised, "The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain the complete forgiveness of sins and punishment." (Diary 699) He went on to say, "I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My Mercy." (Diary 1109)

Take advantage of this incredible promise and the additional plenary indulgence on this feast of Mercy "Divine Mercy Sunday". We want you to benefit fully from these promises, and we encourage you to notify all of your family and friends about them too and urge them to return to the practice of their faith About "Divine Mercy Sunday", Jesus said "…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 the souls who approach the Fount of My Mercy. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.... Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy." (Diary 699)

It is required of all Catholics to confess their serious sins at least once a year. One may go to Confession up to 20 days, before or after Divine Mercy Sunday.

Summary of the Indulgence

I. The usual conditions for a plenary indulgence:

1.) Sacramental confession [according to previously issued norms, within about 20 days before or after.]

2.) Eucharistic communion [according to previously issued norms, preferably on the day, or the days before or after]

3.) Prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff [certain prayers are not specified]

II. The specific conditions for this indulgence:

On Divine Mercy Sunday

1.) In any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy... or

2.) In the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!")

Partial Indulgence:

A partial indulgence, granted to the faithful who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation. [e.g., Jesus, I trust in You. My Jesus mercy. or any other approved invocation]

Those who cannot go to church or the seriously ill.

Conditions for a Plenary Indulgence:

1.) Totally detesting any sin,

2.) The intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three usual conditions of confession, communion and prayers for the Holy Father

3.) Recite the Our Father and the Creed before a devout image of Our Merciful Lord Jesus, pray a devout invocation to the Merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you).

If it is impossible to do even this:

1.) With a spiritual intention unite with those carrying out the prescribed practice for obtaining the Indulgence in the usual way and

2.) Offer to the Merciful Lord a prayer and the sufferings of their illness and the difficulties of their lives, with the resolution to accomplish as soon as possible the three conditions prescribed to obtain the plenary indulgence.

For information about the image of Christ shown above go here. To learn about Saint Faustina, the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Divine Mercy Sunday, see "Who is Saint Faustina?". For information on praying the Divine Mercy Novena go here.