Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. We would like to share an excerpt from the Marian Press book 52 Weeks with St. Faustina by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle:
An Extraordinary Visit – Love for the Poor, ‘Fruits of Mercy’
One gloomy day, the bell at the gate rang. Sister Faustina looked out through sheets of rain to see a shivering young man persistently ringing the bell. The rain poured down with a vengeance, soaking the man to the skin. As soon as Sr. Faustina answered the gate, the fellow asked for something to eat. Sister Faustina ran to the kitchen and couldn’t find anything to offer. She was determined to help that young, unfortunate man. There had to be something in the kitchen.
Finally, she found it — some wholesome soup; the perfect remedy to combat the icy rain while providing nourishment. She heated it up straightaway. Sister Faustina then added some pieces of bread on top to help fill his hungry belly and rushed the hot mug of soup to the poor beggar waiting in the rain. The stranger accepted the charitable meal from the sister’s hands and consumed it right there by the gate. He seemed to enjoy it despite the inclement weather. Sister Faustina took the empty mug from the man’s cold wet hands, and to her great surprise, discovered that the poor man was actually Jesus Christ Himself!
He then immediately vanished from her sight. Sister Faustina later reflected upon the encounter. She heard an interior voice: “My daughter, the blessings of the poor who bless Me as they leave this gate have reached My ears. And your compassion, within the bounds of obedience, has pleased Me, and this is why I came down from My throne — to taste the fruits of your mercy” (Diary, 1312). Can we even imagine this?
The parishioners of St. Isidore have restocked our pantry so well that we only need $25 gift cards from Kroger, Meijer and Walmart for emergency fresh food. Also, our St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store on Van Dyke is open to receiving other types of donations (clothing, etc.) that we cannot accept. Thank you!
God Bless,
St. Isidore St. Vincent de Paul Society
