The Divine Mercy Shrine in Kraków, Poland — one of the foremost pilgrimage centers in the Catholic world — is preparing to welcome thousands of the faithful for Divine Mercy Sunday on April 12.
According to official information released by the shrine, the celebrations will be marked by liturgical observances and moments of prayer in response to the request of St. Faustina Kowalska, who conveyed the words of Jesus: "I desire that the first Sunday after Easter be the feast of mercy."
Mass and vigil celebration
Under this year's theme, "God, the Merciful Father... To You We Entrust the Destiny of the World," the organizers invite the faithful to the commencement of celebrations on Saturday, April 11, with a vigil Mass in the basilica to be celebrated by the archbishop emeritus of Kraków, Marek Jedraszewski.
After the Mass, a prayer vigil will take place, continuing through the early morning hours. At midnight, another Mass will be celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Janusz Mastalski of Kraków. Afterward, the faithful will continue to participate in the vigil until 5 a.m.
On Divine Mercy Sunday, the Mass will be celebrated at the outdoor altar by the archbishop of Kraków, Cardinal Grzegorz Rys, who also serves as the honorary patron of the event.
During this celebration, the so-called "Bell of Hope" destined for the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Vilnius, Lithuania, will be blessed.
One of the most significant moments will be the solemn hour of mercy, a practice deeply connected to this devotion, which will be observed in the basilica at 3 p.m., coinciding with the hour of Christ's death.
A shrine marked by history and faith
The shrine's current basilica was built from 1999 to 2002 and was consecrated on Aug. 17, 2002, by St. John Paul II, who at that site entrusted the entire world to divine mercy.
The basilica is noted for its symbolism: Its shape evokes an ark, a sign of salvation for those who place their trust in God. Inside, a tabernacle shaped like a globe representing humanity in need of mercy is situated alongside the image of the merciful Jesus.
It also houses depictions of St. Faustina Kowalska and St. John Paul II — great apostles of this devotion — as well as one of the largest stained-glass windows in Kraków, which symbolizes the light of divine mercy radiating upon the world.
Mass schedule
The shrine has scheduled multiple Eucharistic celebrations throughout the day:
6 a.m. (basilica), celebrated by Father Tomasz Szopa
8 a.m. (basilica), celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Damian Muskus
10 a.m. (outdoor altar), principal Mass with Cardinal Rys
12:30 p.m. (basilica), celebrated by Father Robert Wozniak
4 p.m. (outdoor altar), celebrated by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, who served as secretary to St. John Paul II for over 40 years.
6 p.m. (basilica), with the participation of young people
7 p.m. (convent chapel)
Broadcasts and global participation
All celebrations will be broadcast on television and digital platforms. The main Mass will be aired on TVP1, while the hour of mercy can be followed on EWTN.
Additionally, the shrine will offer online broadcasts via its official website and YouTube channel, enabling the participation of the faithful from around the world.
The shrine has implemented various logistical measures to accommodate the crowds expected to attend the celebration.
Confessions will be available throughout the night and on Sunday, including in several languages, and Communion will be distributed between Masses.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
