In the church of “Santo Spirito in Sassia”, in Rome, the Spirituality Center of Divine Mercy has been operating for 30 years, created on January 1, 1994 by Saint John Paul II, particularly devoted to Saint Faustina Kowalska.
Krzysztof Bronk and P. Dominik Gaładyk – Vatican City
On Divine Mercy Sunday, instituted by John Paul II under the inspiration of Saint Faustina Kowalska, many pilgrims flock to the church of Santo Spirito in Sassia, not far from St. Peter’s Square, where a copy of the image of Jesus is preserved. Mercifully donated by Pope Wojtyla himself. Since 2000, after the canonization of Saint Faustina, there is also a relic of the Apostle of Divine Mercy. Both are preserved in one of the side chapels of the sanctuary.
The Church of Holy Spirit has a long tradition, dating back to the 8th century. Since its origins it has been linked to the practice of mercy. Initially it was a center for Anglo-Saxon pilgrims – hence its name in Saxon – and later it became the church for the patients of the oldest hospital in Europe.
Prayer place
Every day at 3:00 p.m. the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is prayed in the church, which is broadcast on the sanctuary’s website – www.divinamisericordia.it – and on the Telepace television channel. Since 1993, the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, to which Saint Faustina belonged, has provided its services here. John Paul II visited the Divine Mercy Spirituality Center in 1995 and Pope Francis in 2021. Every year, on Divine Mercy Sunday, the Pontiff greets the faithful who that day come to St. Peter’s Square in a procession with the image of Merciful Jesus.
Divine Mercy Sunday, a moment of grace
Today’s anniversary is “a moment of special grace,” Sister Wincenta Mąka, who serves at the sanctuary, told Vatican Radio, “the Lord Jesus himself had assured Saint Faustina of this.” “On this day,” the nun recalled, “you can ask for numerous graces, not only the grace of plenary indulgence, but also whatever is in your heart and if it is in accordance with the will of God.”
Holy Mass presided by Pope Francis in the parish of Santo Spirito in Sassia on April 11, 2021, on Divine Mercy Sunday. (Vatican Media)
