On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27th, we will celebrate the silver jubilee of the canonization of Saint Faustina and the propagation of the devotion to Divine Mercy. The very next day will be the feast of Saint Gianna Molla, on April 28th, and May 1st will find us celebrating (in addition to Saint Joseph the Workman) Saint Peregrine. All three of these saints are very significant at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and they compose three of the side altars in the Shrine church.
As a pilgrim enters the church at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the first thing to draw his attention is the mosaic of Our Lady behind the altar. Her majesty and gentleness are captured beautifully in the replica of the image, where she resides, as on a throne, above the tabernacle which houses Our Lord Jesus. Pilgrims approach, and Our Lady of Guadalupe draws them to her Son to receive His Divine Mercy. On the Sunday after Easter Sunday, Our Lord desires to shower the graces of His Mercy upon the world in a particular way, as Catholics all over the earth honor Him in His Mercy. This year is the Silver Jubilee of the canonization of Saint Faustina - the apostle of Divine Mercy. This great anniversary also falls, this year, during the Jubilee Year of Mercy, which focuses on Pilgrims of Hope. How many graces must be available to us this year on this Sunday, when we celebrate the hope that has been given to us through the Mercy of Our Lord! The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been designated as a pilgrimage site for the Jubilee Year, which means that pilgrims can obtain a plenary indulgence by visiting the Shrine church, the other requirements being detachment from sin, praying for the intentions of the Holy Father at the pilgrimage site, and receiving the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confession within two weeks of your pilgrimage. This is the season of hope restored to us by Jesus, Who died and rose again for our salvation!
The feast of Divine Mercy is immediately followed this year by that of Saint Gianna Molla, on April 28th, who herself lived as an image of that Divine Mercy. A doctor, a wife, and a mother, Saint Gianna gave her life for the child she carried in her last pregnancy. Upon the discovery of a tumor in her uterus, Saint Gianna requested that all measures taken be to save the life of the child she was carrying, not just her own life. At Gianna’s request, the doctors removed the tumor only, allowing the baby to live, but also leading to other complications until she gave birth. A week later, Saint Gianna died, an example of the sacrificial love of Our Lord on Calvary.
It was this image of Our Lord, as He died on the Cross, which brought healing to Saint Peregrine. Originally anti-papist, after Saint Peregrine physically struck another saint, Saint Philip Benizi, who was preaching, he converted, entered a religious order, and became a fervent brother, helping those in need. At 60 years old, he was diagnosed with cancer in his leg. The limb was scheduled to be amputated, and Saint Peregrine spent the night before the operation in front of a crucifix. In a dream, he saw Christ descend from the cross and heal his leg. Upon waking, he found that his leg was indeed healed. Saint Peregrine shows us where true healing comes from - Christ on the Cross poured forth His Precious Blood to save our souls and bodies from eternal death.
All three of these saints are powerful intercessors in heaven. Saint Faustina urges us to trust in God’s Mercy, even as Saint Gianna urges mothers to self-sacrifice in a heroic manner, while Saint Peregrine encourages those who struggle with cancer and their loved ones never to lose hope. May Saint Faustina, Saint Gianna, and Saint Peregrine lead us all to the Cross of Our Lord, Who pours His healing Love upon us, through the hands of His mother, as she says to all of us that approach her, the Mother of Mercy, “Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5).
