DIVINE MERCY: CHRIST'S EASTER GIFT TO THE CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, APR 22, 2001 (VIS) - At 10:00 this morning, the Second Sunday of Easter, also named "Divine Mercy Sunday," John Paul II presided over a Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Square, having returned to the Vatican on Saturday evening after a six-day stay at his summer residence in Castelgandolfo.

The Pope expressed his joy in joining the numerous pilgrims and faithful come from around the world "to commemorate, one year later, the canonization of Sister Faustina Kowalska, witness and messenger of the Lord's merciful love. The elevation to the honor of the altars of this humble Religious, daughter of my homeland, represents a gift not only for Poland, but for all of humanity. The message, in fact, of which she was the bearer constitutes the fitting and incisive response that God wished to offer to the questions and expectations of the people of our time, marked by terrible tragedies."

"Divine Mercy! This is the Easter gift which the Church receives from the Risen Christ and offers to humanity, at the dawn of the third millennium."

Referring to the Heart of Christ, the Holy Father affirmed: "From this Heart overflowing with tenderness, Saint Faustina Kowalska saw emanating two rays of light which illumined the world. 'The two rays - according to what Jesus confided to her - represent blood and water'. The blood recalls the sacrifice of Golgotha and the mystery of the Eucharist; the water, according to the rich symbolism of John the Evangelist, refers to baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

"Through the mystery of this wounded heart, the restorative flow of God's merciful love is unceasingly poured out upon the men and women of our epoch. Only those who desire authentic and lasting happiness, can find the secret."

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