The Society of Our Lady of Divine Mercy is sponsoring a pilgrimage to the Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, Mass., for St. Faustina Day on Oct. 4-6. The price of the trip will be covered with donations and fundraisers.

The purpose of the bus pilgrimage is to promote the Divine Mercy devotion in Western New York.

The Divine Mercy Shrine is part of the vast apostolate of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. They have worked with St. John Paul II to promote the Divine Mercy devotion. Father Joseph Jarzebowski, MIC, saved the diary of St. Maria Faustina from the Nazis and brought it to the United States. St. John Paul II told the Marian Fathers, and all people, to be Apostles of Divine Mercy.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has stated in his message for Divine Mercy Sunday in 2006 that "Divine Mercy is not a secondary devotion, but an integral dimension of Christian faith and prayer." On Divine Mercy Sunday 2008, he said, "Mercy is the central nucleus of the Gospel message."

Two fundraising events will help support the pilgrimage. An Italian buffet and Chinese auction will take place at St. Michael Church in Buffalo on Sunday, May 3, from 1 to 3 p.m.  The rosary, along with a praise and worship concert, will take place at St. Jude the Apostle Church in North Tonawanda on Monday, May 11, at 7 p.m.

Anyone interested in the pilgrimage to the Divine Mercy Shrine may contact Donna Marie at 716-627-4187.