Divine Mercy Sunday, celebrated on the Sunday following Easter, is a day for Catholics to reflect on Jesus Christ’s immense love and mercy, despite our sinfulness. This commemoration was inspired by St. Faustina, a Polish nun who recorded messages of Christ’s mercy. It underscores Jesus’ incarnation as a profound demonstration of God’s mercy, offering reconciliation with God and the gift of the Holy Spirit. It reminds us that even death cannot sever God’s eternal love. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody and share this mercy, being signs of hope and healing.
Resources for this day are available below for parents, teachers, catechists, and youth ministers, providing guidance on celebrating and teaching about Divine Mercy. See how to determine the correct year.
Divine Mercy Sunday Year A
Divine Mercy Sunday Year B
Divine Mercy Sunday Year C
Mass Readings for Divine Mercy Sunday Year A
See resources, homilies, and more for the Divine Mercy Sunday Year A readings here.
- First Reading – Acts 2:42-47: In the early Christian community in Jerusalem, believers were united in heart and mind, shared all their possessions, and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. As a result, many signs and wonders were done, and the community grew in number and favor.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 118: This psalm expresses gratitude to the LORD for his enduring mercy and love. The psalmist recounts how the LORD saved him from distress and how the rejected stone became the cornerstone, inviting all to rejoice in the day the LORD has made.
- Second Reading – 1 Peter 1:3-9: The apostle Peter speaks of the hope and salvation that believers in Jesus Christ have, which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. He encourages the readers to endure trials because their faith will be refined and ultimately lead to the praise, glory, and honor of Christ.
- Gospel – John 20:19-31: Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection, and shows them his wounds. Thomas, one of the disciples, doubts their testimony until Jesus appears to him and invites him to touch his wounds, after which Thomas proclaims him as Lord and God.
Mass Readings for Divine Mercy Sunday Year B
See resources, homilies, and more for the Divine Mercy Sunday Year B readings here.
- First Reading – Acts 4:32-35: The unity and generosity of the early Christian community is described. The believers were of one heart and one mind, sharing everything they had and selling their possessions to provide for those in need.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 118: The psalmist then declares his trust in God, and proclaims that the Lord is his strength and salvation. The psalm ends with a declaration of praise and a call for God’s blessings to be upon the people.
- Second Reading – 1 John 5:1-6: Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God will love God and their fellow believers, and that this love is evidence of their faith. The passage also speaks about the importance of following God’s commandments, and how our love for God is demonstrated by our obedience to His commands.
- Gospel – John 20:19-31: Jesus appeared to his disciples in a locked room, greeted them, and showed them his wounds as proof of his identity. Thomas, who was not present, doubted that Jesus had truly risen from the dead. A week later, Jesus appeared to the disciples again and this time Thomas was present. Jesus invited Thomas to touch his wounds and believe.
Mass Readings for Divine Mercy Sunday Year C
See resources, homilies, and more for the Divine Mercy Sunday Year C readings here.
- First Reading – Acts 5:12-16: The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people, and believers gathered together in Solomon’s Colonnade. The sick were also brought to them and were healed, and the people revered the apostles and many others were added to their number.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 118: A psalm of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord, acknowledging His mercy and enduring love. It also speaks of the Lord’s help and salvation, and the joyful celebration of victory in the tents of the just. The psalm ends with a declaration of the Lord’s greatness and a call to rejoice in the day He has made.
- Second Reading – Revelation 1:9-11A, 12-13, 17-19: John explains that he was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching about God and Jesus. He then has a vision of the son of man in the midst of seven gold lampstands and falls down in awe. The son of man reassures him, stating that he holds the keys to death and the netherworld, and instructs John to write down what he has seen, what is happening, and what will happen in the future.
- Gospel – John 20:19-31: Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection and shows them his wounds, proving that he is indeed the risen Christ. Thomas, one of the disciples, initially doubts Jesus’ resurrection but eventually believes after seeing and touching his wounds.
More About Lectionary Cycles
Learn more about the difference between a Bible and a Lectionary, how the Lectionary is arranged, and translations of the Bible used at Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday.
The liturgical cycle is a three-year sequence of A, B, and C.
- 2024 is Year B
- 2025 is Year C
- 2026 is Year A
- 2027 is Year B
- 2028 is Year C
- 2029 is Year A
- 2030 is Year B
- 2031 is Year C
- … and so on
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