Divine Mercy Shrine

 The Society of Our Lady of Divine Mercy is sponsoring their seventh bus pilgrimage to the Divine Mercy Shrine for Oct. 4, 5 and 6 for St. Faustina Day. The purpose of the pilgrimage is to spread the devotion to the Divine Mercy, do works of mercy, and to foster fellowship between Catholics. However, anyone of any religion can come on this pilgrimage. There is no cost for those pilgrims who bake for a minimum of five baked good sales, and participate in a parish auction and other fund-raisers.

The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy is the home of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception and is situated in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains in Stockbridge, Mass. The Marian Fathers have occupied Eden Hill since 1944 and pilgrims arrived there shortly after to pray and celebrate the Feast of the Divine Mercy. After World War II, the shrine was constructed to accommodate larger numbers of pilgrims and was completed in 1960. The shrine was declared a national shrine in 1996.

Each year, at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, pilgrims celebrate the feast day of St. Maria Faustina of the Blessed Sacrament OLM. There is a schedule which includes a talk on Divine Mercy at 1 p.m.; Rosary for Life and confessions; Mass at 2 p.m., and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 3 p.m. There are many smaller shrines on the grounds: St. Joseph, Our Lady of Lourdes and the Mother of Mercy Candle Shrine, which has windows showing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. St. Faustina's relics are housed in the beautiful church at the shrine as are others.

Pilgrims going with us on the bus will be dining and sleeping in Lee, Mass. All meals will be covered except three lunches. The following is a list of some of the fund-raisers that pilgrims must participate in:
Baked Good Sales:

St. John Paul II Parish, 2052 Lakeview Road, Lake View, all Masses on Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10.

St. Michael Parish, 651 Washington St., Buffalo, all Masses on Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 435 Amherst St., Buffalo, 4:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday, March 23 and 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, March 24.

St. Timothy Parish, 565 East Drive, Tonawanda, all Masses on Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31.

St. Mary's of the Lake Church, 4737 Lakeshore Road, Hamburg, all Masses Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28.
Auction and luncheon at Cala's Kitchen, 6888 Erie Road, Derby, Saturday, April 13, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

For more information on this pilgrimage, contact Donna Marie at 627-4187.