Today is the octave day of Easter, the Second Sunday of Easter, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday.  It is a day of great joy and celebration!  Jesus made such an incredible promise and gift for remission of sins and punishments on this day in particular.  He asked this to happen through the Church via St. Maria Faustina in 1936.  In 2000, Pope St. John Paul II instituted the Feast of Divine Mercy on the Second Sunday of Easter, fulfilling the Lord’s request.
 
The Urbi et Orbi (to the City of Rome and to the World) Decree, Indulgences Attached to Devotions in Honor of Divine Mercy, explains the conditions for receiving the plenary indulgence offered today, Divine Mercy Sunday.  The foundational requirements, as Jesus explained them to St. Faustina in her Diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul, are (1) sacramental confession and (2) reception of Holy Communion (Diary 699) on Divine Mercy Sunday (2nd Sunday of Easter):
 
The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.  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.  My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity.  Diary 699
 
Right now, during our 2020 COVID quarantine, we cannot receive Holy Communion nor can we go to sacramental Confession.  The promised plenary indulgence is, however, still possible for you!  Here’s how:
 

• Consider beginning with this prayer from the Marians of the Immaculate Conception:

 
Lord Jesus Christ, You promised St. Faustina that the soul that has been to Confession [I’m unable, but I made an Act of Contrition] and the soul that receives Holy Communion [I’m unable, but I made a Spiritual Communion] will receive the complete forgiveness of all sins and punishment. Please, Lord Jesus Christ, give me this grace.
 

• Pray the Act of Contrition privately (with the intent to return to the sacrament of Confession as soon as possible)

 
Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
 

• Pray the Spiritual Communion Prayer privately (with the intent to return to the sacrament of Holy Communion as soon as possible)

 
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things and I desire You in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
As though You were already there,
I embrace You and unite myself to You;
permit not that I should ever be separated from You.
 

• Do these other conditions:
  • Be Detached from the affection for a sin, mortal and venial.
  • Take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of the Divine Mercy.
  • In the presence of the Blessed Sacrament (if possible), recite an Our Father and the Creed.
  • Add a devout prayer to the Merciful Lord Jesus: “Merciful Jesus, I trust in you.”

 
Let's not be afraid today, or any day to approach Him and rely completely upon His mercy!  "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb 4:16).
 
 I hope you have a blessed Divine Mercy Sunday!
 
Fr. Mark
 
 
(2) Additional Resources

• Fr. Chris Alar, MIC on Divine Mercy Sunday 
• Act of Contrition (pray one of the listed options)
• Spiritual Communion Prayer