STOCKBRIDGE, Mass., April 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception have announced the release of the official Divine Mercy App for Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices. The free app contains an abundance of information on the message of Divine Mercy, including an interactive Chaplet and Stations of the Cross.

The message and devotion to Jesus as "The Divine Mercy" is based on the writings of St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun and mystic, who died in 1938.  Jesus appeared to Faustina, spoke to her, and told her to write down in a diary what she saw and heard.

Through St. Faustina, Jesus offered humanity consoling words, concrete devotions, and specific promises of his mercy.  For instance, he gave an image of himself as the Merciful Savior, a chaplet of Divine Mercy, a novena, and extraordinary promises of grace at the 3:00 hour and especially on the second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday.

Father Michael Gaitley, MIC, who designed the Divine Mercy app, says he is elated that it is ready in time for Divine Mercy Sunday:

"This is a big year for Divine Mercy because Pope John Paul II will be beatified on Divine Mercy Sunday.  Pope John Paul II believed there is nothing the world needs more than Divine Mercy, and I'm sure he would be very pleased with the release of such a comprehensive Divine Mercy app for free."

From the beginning of his pontificate, Pope John Paul II considered the promotion of the message of Divine Mercy as his "special task."  In 1981, he wrote an encyclical letter dedicated to the mercy of God, Rich in Mercy (in Latin, Dives in Misericordia).  Then, he beatified Faustina Kowalska in 1993.  Finally, during the year 2000, he canonized St. Faustina and declared the second Sunday of Easter, "Divine Mercy Sunday."  After the ceremony, he stated, "Today is the happiest day of my life."

In 2005, providence disposed that John Paul II should die precisely on the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday, as Pope Benedict XVI pointed out, "in the hands of Divine Mercy."  Pope John Paul's last address concluded with the words, "How much the world needs to understand and accept Divine Mercy!"

The Divine Mercy app aims to help more people understand and accept this consoling message of God's love.

Contact:

Gina Shultis, Communications Manager
Marians of the Immaculate Conception
Eden Hill
Stockbridge, MA 01263
Tel: 800-462-7426
gshultis@marian.org
Reference:  http://thedivinemercy.org/app/index.php

SOURCE The Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception