Pope’s ‘Regina Coeli’ on Divine Mercy Sunday
(April 16, 2012) True peace comes only from Jesus as it results from His victory
over evil, Pope Benedict said on the Sunday after Easter which is observed as Divine
Mercy Sunday. The Pope was speaking to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square prior to the
weekly midday recitation of the “Regina Coeli” prayer. He reflected on Sunday’s Gospel
reading in which Christ appears to his disciples twice in a span of eight days after
His Resurrection. The second time He encountered the incredulous Thomas who believed
Him only after touching his wounds. Each time Jesus’ greeting to them was “Peace
be with you”. The Pope said it is a greeting that only Jesus can give it because
it is the fruit of his radical victory over evil.” This “peace” that Jesus offers
to his friends is “the fruit of the love of God that led him to die on the cross,
to pour out all of his blood in payment, as the meek and humble Lamb, ‘full of grace
and truth’,” he said. Pope Benedict explained this was why his predecessor Blessed
John Paul II declared the Sunday after Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday. The vision
of the Divine Mercy of Christ was revealed to the young Polish nun Sister Faustina
Kowalska, on February 22, 1931. Pope John Paul instituted the Divine Mercy Sunday
on April 30, 2000 when he declared Sr. Faustina a saint. The Polish Pope, a great
devotee of Divine Mercy, himself died on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday in 2005.
After reciting the ‘Regina Coeli” prayer, Pope Benedict particularly greeted a group of pilgrims that celebrated the Eucharist at the nearby church of Divine Mercy, where St. Faustina Kowalska and Blessed John Paul II are also venerated. Later speaking in French, the Pope recalled the feast of Divine Mercy, saying, “Easter season invites us to express our confidence and joy of being baptized.” He said Jesus invites us not to be incredulous, like Thomas, but believers. Do not be afraid, have the audacity to show our faith! The Pontiff also recalled the 7th anniversary of his election as Pope on April 19, 2005. “I ask you to pray for me, that the Lord gives me strength to accomplish the mission entrusted to me!” the Pope urged.
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