The Little Flowers celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday with a field trip to the National Shrine of the Miraculous Medal. The first statue to the right of the front doors was of our patroness, St. Thérèse.
We recalled what we'd learned about St. Catherine Laboure and the story of the Miraculous Medal at the beginning of the year.
We lit candles for our intentions in the intercessory chapel. Then we placed our hands in Mary's just as St Catherine did during the first apparition. Here, we had our petal meeting and learned about St Faustina and The Divine Mercy image. 
Saint Faustina (Helena Kowalska) (1905-1938) was born in Poland. She entered the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in her 20s. She was visited by Jesus, who presented himself as the "King of Divine Mercy" wearing a white garment with red and pale rays coming from his heart. She was asked to become the apostle and secretary of God's mercy, a model of how to be merciful to others, and an instrument for reemphasizing God's plan of mercy for the world. Jesus told her to have the image painted that he showed to her. She kept a diary of her experiences. It wasn’t until after her death that others began to understand her deep holiness and life of suffering. St. Faustina’s feast day is October 5. She is the patron saint of mercy. We celebrate the feast of Divine Mercy Sunday the first Sunday after Easter.
The virtue of mercy is about receiving forgiveness from God and giving it to others without limit. Forgive seven times seven times, as God forgives us. We are to never despair of God’s mercy. There is nothing we could do to make him stop loving us. Let us remember to always turn back to him in contrition. We can grow in this virtue by practicing spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
The lily is a symbol of purity and is often depicted with the saints and Mary. It is a symbol of the Annunciation and the Resurrection which is why it is a flower for Easter. Its trumpet shape heralds the triumphant news that Jesus is risen! Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. -Luke 12:27
We prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet on the rosary walk pausing to pray and explore the grotto. Continue to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet each day for the next three weeks to earn the Divine Mercy badge. We can also practice the virtue of mercy by doing spiritual and corporal works of mercy for others. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:36
Next, we attended Mass, visited the gift shop, and had lunch at Mary Jane's Restaurant.
The girls earned their mercy petals. And our new girls earned the Holy Lent patch by keeping their lenten promises. Thank you to all the Little Flowers that served others by greeting during Holy Week services and by helping with the chalk art event on Holy Saturday.
May God Bless us and help us grow in the virtue of Mercy. Sts Faustina and Laboure, Pray for us!
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