March 7, 2016 – The Remarkable Mercy of God (1 of 2)

The Holy Father recently declared this year an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. There are a number of celebration and activities planned for this year, and there are many graces and blessings available for those who take up the Holy Father’s call to seek God’s Mercy. As part of his effort to communicate the importance of this message of Mercy, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, granted an interview with a journalist and commissioned the publication of a book entitled, “The Name of God is Mercy.” In this conversation on the importance of the message of Mercy, Mark and Frances use portions of the Holy Father’s book, key verses from scripture, and some of the quotes of the famous Carmelite Saints to help explain exactly what the Holy Father is trying to tell the Church about God’s Mercy. The most important aspect of this message is that Mercy is that attribute of God, His most important attribute according to Pope Francis, that does more than overcome God’s Justice, and in fact, it does more than allow for the forgiveness of sins, Mercy is what actually leads to the healing of both the effects of sin and the woundedness of our human nature that leads us to sin in the first place. In this important conversation the listener is invited to come to a deeper understanding and a genuine desire to seek out God’s all encompassing Mercy.

Books:

“The Name of God is Mercy: A Conversation with Andrea Tornielli” from Pope Francis, Trans. by Oonagh Stransky; Random House.

“The Church of Mercy: A Vision for the Church” by Pope Francis; Loyola Press.

“God’s Healing Mercy: Finding Your Path to Forgiveness, Peace and Joy” by Kathleen Beckman, LHS; Sophia Press.

“33 Days to Merciful Love: a Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Consecration to Divine Mercy” by Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC; Marian Press.

“Angels of the Battlefield: A History of the Labors of the Catholic Sisterhoods in the Late Civil War” by George Barton; Nine Choirs Press.