The Divine Mercy Devotion is primarily based on JESUS's command to Saint Faustina Kowalska, to prepare the world for HIS return.
JESUS Himself appeared to this simple Polish nun many times during her life time.
In obedience to her spiritual director, St Faustina recorded the revelations in her diary notes. These revelations are about God’s abundant MERCY which is freely given to all human beings.
After her death in 1938, the Diary notes were studied intensively by world reknown Theologians and brought to the attention of higher authority that although the writings had come from the pen of a simple nun who had barely completed three years of formal schooling, the writings were theologically sound.
The message is a simple reminder of what the Church has always taught through scripture and tradition: that GOD is always merciful and forgiving. So we, too, in imitation of Jesus and driven by our love for HIM, must show mercy and forgiveness to friends and foe alike.
(Luke 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful).
In the Divine Mercy devotion, a reinforced and powerful new focus calls people to a deeper understanding of what God’s love is (1 Corinthians 13; 4-7 “…it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs…”) unreserved, overflowing and available to everyone — especially the greatest sinners.
The main message is this: God loves us all — no matter how badly we have led our lives.
God wants us to recognize His mercy - which is greater than our sins.
We can approach God with greater trust, receive His abundant mercy, and let it flow through us to others so that all will come to share His joy. But first, it begins with us.
“I demand from you deeds of mercy which are to arise out of love for me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse yourself from it (Diary of Sister Faustina, Note number 742).
A — Ask for God’s Mercy. God wants us to fervently approach Him in prayer, repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world. God completely understands us and accepts us as we are.
B — Be merciful. God desires for us to receive the fullness of His mercy and allow it flow through us to our loved ones, our workplace, our society. To be merciful is not just an option of the
Divine Mercy Devotion; it's a requirement! Luke 6:36 "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful,"
C — Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust. The more we trust in Jesus, the more we will receive. Simply because if we do not desire, we will be closed to receiving.
Not many people know about the amazing holy life of St Faustina. Here's a brief ( 3.38 minute) video that simply explains her life from St Faustina's own congregation, Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland.