America's Largest Catholic Newspaper
Cardinal Dolan urged the attendees of the sold out 7th Annual Divine Mercy Conference in the Bronx to make the phrase, “Sir we want to see Jesus,” their own prayer.
He told the nearly 1,000 that came from all over the tri-state area to Cardinal Spellman High School, “I feel I am looking around at the church, the body of Christ in all its dazzle and radiance.”
The Cardinal used the phrase, “Sir, we want to see Jesus,” as the theme for his keynote address, which was filled with humor and anecdotes.
He said that statement is the world’s plea. “The church is the answer to that plea,” he explained. “When they look at us, they will see Jesus.”
Pointing to the sacraments, the Cardinal said those are some of the ways to find Jesus. “The rays of mercy come from the sacrament of Penance.”
He also spoke about needing to rediscover a contrite church. The Cardinal said although the church shows the world Jesus, we have to admit that members of the church do not always reveal the church.
He told a story about a friend in Ireland that lost her faith while struggling with all that had happened within the church in her native country. The Cardinal said she then rediscovered her faith. When he asked her about it she said, “Didn’t you hear? The pope apologized.”
“That moved her,” the Cardinal said. “That’s why we need to be contrite, turn to Divine Mercy.” Citing St. Peter as a wonderful example of repentance, Cardinal Dolan described a painting of St. Peter with crevices in the skin on his face.
“The crevices were from tears,” he said. “One thing he knew was Divine Mercy Incarnate.”
He concluded, “You showed me Jesus today. Keep up the good work.”
One attendee, Edith Yolanda Rodriguez of St. Frances de Chantal parish, called the conference exhilarating. She said, “I love this conference because it blows your mind. You discover things your didn’t really notice…It leaves you wanting more.”
Those attending the conference spent much of the day with inspirational speakers who used music, graphics and stories to give meaning and witness to the concept of Divine Mercy. Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation rounded out the day.
Pope John Paul II declared the Second Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy Sunday in 2000 during the Mass of canonization of St. Faustina. He said, “"It is important then that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on this Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church, will be called Divine Mercy Sunday."
St. Faustina’s diary quotes Jesus: “"I want the image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it. By means of the Image I shall be granting many graces to souls; so let every soul have access to it." (Diary 341, 570)
Other speakers for the day included: Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR; Msgr. James Lisante, pastor, Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, West Hempstead; Scott Hahn, professor of theology and scripture at Franciscan University of Steubenville; Linda Santo, Mother of Little Audrey — Witness to Sanctity of Life; Abby Johnson, former director of Planned Parenthood, now pro-life advocate; Susan Tassone; Joan and Dave Maroney of Mother of Mercy Messengers; and Sister Rebecca Piatek,, CSSF-Felician-Franciscan-Lady of Hope province.
