NEWS
Restored
Image of Vilnius blessed by the Holy Father. Lifesize Image printed
here at Mercy
Films, Inc.
The
Holy Father blessed the restored
image of Jesus, The Divine Mercy, destined for the diocesan shrine
in Cameroon, Africa, as well as the apostolate that is to be carried
on there, with a high and sweeping gesture of His hand, saying: "Go
with the words Jezu Ufam Tobie! (Jesus I Trust In You). This Image
was in French.
The private
audience with the Holy Father took place in the Papal Apartments of
the Vatican Palace on Saturday, October 4, at 11:30 am. It was the
vigil of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska's Feast, which is celebrated
in Poland on the day of her passing into eternity, October 5th. Learn
much more about this Image!
In photo
left to right: 1-Father Francis Filipiec, MIC - the Marian Father
in charge of the Atok Parish mission. 2-Bishop John Ozga of Cameroon,
Africa, who is entrusting the task of creating a diocesan shrine of
The Divine Mercy to the missionaries from the Congregation of Marians
of The Immaculate Conception stationed in the parish of Atok in his
diocese. 3-The Holy Father Pope John Paul II.
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OCEANS
OF MERCY DVD - coming soon!
Mercy Films,
Inc, in conjunction with Dr. Robert Stackpole, director of the John
Paul II Institute of Divine Mercy, will be preparing a training DVD
for both Priests and laity on the full message of The Divine Mercy.
Over 5 hours of video on a single DVD with complete indexing of major
topics and threaded answers to a menu of questions will highlight
this unique teaching tool. Presenters will be:
- Father Seraphim
Michalenko, MIC, on the Image and the Feast of Divine Mercy.
- Dr. Robert Stackpole on the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
- Divine Mercy and
the Priesthood: A Personal Testimony by Rev. David Lord, MIC.
- The Life and Mission of St. Faustina by Rev. Kaz Chwalek, MIC
- The Eucharist and Reconciliation, Sacraments of Mercy by Rev. Paul
Henry, Spiritual Director of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Estimated
time of completion sometime in February, 2004. This will be a definitive
program on The Divine Mercy. Email
to reserve your copy. Specify "Oceans of Mercy DVD".
We will notify you when your order can be placed.
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Powerful
new video on the Chaplet and abortion.
At St. Agatha's
Catholic Church in Miami on October 11, 2003, Father Seraphim Michalenko
presented the most comprehensive talk on the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
and abortion ever given. This hour and a half program will be available
in both English and Spanish by mid-November, 2003.
Pre-order your copy today. Please
don't miss this incredible message given by the world's foremost expert
on St. Faustina and the message of The Divine Mercy!
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The
Vilnius Image of The Divine Mercy has been restored by an expert in
Poland.
"I
am happy to let you know that the original Image of The Divine Mercy
painted by Eugene Kazimirowski in 1934 has been nicely restored by
an expert from Poland. You will find herewith enclosed a picture taken
as soon as the restoration was completed (June 2003).
~ Audrys J. Card. Backis, Archbishop of Vilnius.
This
beautiful Image is now available on canvas as a fundraiser for the
Faustina Film Project, as well as to help support the Marian Fathers
in Stockbridge, MA. For more information about this Sacred Image,
please go to www.mercyimages.com.
On
February 22, 1931, Our Lord appeared to Sister Faustina Kowalska and
told her, “Paint an Image according to
the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I Trust in You. I
desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and then
throughout the world." (47) Because Faustina was not an
artist, her spiritual director Father Sopocko took her to local Vilnius
artist Eugene Kazimirowski, who painted this Image directly under
Faustina’s supervision. Sadly remarking, “Lord, who will
paint You as beautiful as you are” (313), Faustina had the artist
change the face at least 10 times. Finally, Our Lord told Faustina
that it was good enough - to leave it in the state it’s in. Just
recently it was discovered that the face on this Image perfectly
matches the one on the Holy Shroud of Turin.
During
World War II, which Faustina predicted, the Image fell into disrepair,
having been improperly stored in a damp attic. Until now, every “Vilnius”
Image has been made from a reproduction of a black and white photograph
that was inaccurately colorized, and consequently none of these Images
ever reflected the true beauty and color of the original painting.
This
restored Vilnius Image is the only Image painted under St. Faustina’s
direction and is the only Image of The Divine Mercy Father Sopocko
wanted distributed. It is now
available for the first time as it was originally painted, revealing
Faustina’s true vision to the world.
Our
Lord told Faustina, “By means of this Image
I shall be granting many graces to souls; so let every soul have access
to it.” (570). "I promise that the soul that will venerate
this image will not perish. I also promise victory over its enemies
already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will
defend it as My own glory." (48)
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Start
a Prayer Cenacle
I recentely
had the honor of visiting with Dr. Bryan Thatcher and his assistant
Gretchen in Florida. Brian is the founder of the Eucharistic Apostles
of The Divine Mercy, and together he and Gretchen have founded over
400 Divine Mercy cenacles (prayer groups) in the United States, and
many others throughout the world. They also donate large amounts of
medical supplies, food and other needed items to poor countries around
the world. Please help the Eucharistic Apostles of The Divine Mercy
in their works of mercy by visiting
their website and learning how you can help this wonderful work,
now a lay outreach organization of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate
Conception.
Photo
left to right: Dr. Bryan Thatcher,
myself (Jim Mattingly), Gretchen Robens, & Anthony Antunes
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Looking
to bring a speaker on Divine Mercy to your area?
Dave and Joan
Maroney of the Mother of Mercy Mesengers travel around the country
bringing the message of The Divine Mercy to men, women and youth of
all ages. You can contact them for more information and request
their program in your parish. A CD of their program is available,
and a video DVD is on the way. Write them for more information, it's
a wonderful presentation!
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