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Question:

Is there much, or any, of an Eastern interest in the praying of the chaplet of Divine Mercy and devotion to St. Faustina Kowalska?

I was curious since part of the prayer at the end of the chaplet is to repeat 3x: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have Mercy On Us and The Whole World...this has EASTERN CHRISTENDOM written all over it.

Did St. Faustina have a lot of exposure to Byzantine/Orthodox spirituality?

Thanks for any responses<
Walt

There is interest among many Eastern Catholics in the Divine Mercy Chaplet. It is pretty much left up to the individual. I know that we have many Divine Mercy devotees here in my parish.

I would like to point out that the "Trisagion" (Holy God, Holy Mighty...) is not strictly Eastern: It was present in the Good Friday Liturgy of the Roman Church in Saint Faustina's day. I am not sure if it is being done in the post Vatican II Liturgy. (See the section of the service called "the Reproaches" in an old missal.)

Public devotions to the Divine Mercy has caused some friction in some places. On the one hand, it is believed by some that it is the Holy Father's desire for all to offer these devotions. On the opposing hand it is believed that public devotions to the Divine Mercy are contrary to the call of Vatican II which encourages us re-explore our own traditions, considering that Saint Faustina's revelations were a product of the XXth century and she a Roman Catholic religious.

Of course, this is speaking for public devotions in an Eastern Church. People are encouraged to pray on their own in a manner which is truly helpful!!

With Best wishes to all!
Stefan-Ivan

Stefan-Ivan,

Thanks for your response. I didn't realize this devotion caused any friction. You can tell I am a Vatican II Catholic. I was not aware the Trisagion was a part of the Roman Rite at all, my only exposure to this has been reading or experiencing Eastern Orthodox and/or Byzantine spirituality.

I do have another question:
I am surprised that this would cause any friction. A prayer pleading the merits of Calvary should be acceptable in any time period, wouldn't you say? Even evangelicals, in their own ways, have prayers that are pleading Calvary. Known anti-Catholic Charles Spurgeon would write frequently to plead the Lord's Blood in prayer on a daily basis. Or do you believe the friction is now strictly an East vs West thing? Your feedback?

walt

The friction I've experienced is definately an East/West thing.

The problem is when we have Public devotions attempting to substitute Divine Mercy Sunday for our own special feast, St. Thomas Sunday.

Yes, I agree that a prayer pleading the merits of Calvary are acceptable for private devotions, but Vatican II and the current Pope John Paul II have been very explicit that Eastern Catholics should teach Eastern Catholicism and practice our own traditions.

For generations we did not, and substituted Latin devotions. I hold great appreciation for many of them (especially the rosary) for they were the staple of our church in Eastern Europe during the period of persecution, and God be praised for them. And I am sensitive to the needs our older parishioners here in America who appreciate them also.

But I do have a problem when some people would rather have a rosary before Liturgy rather than Matins, or "Stations" during Lent skipping the Akathist Hymn.

My parish is the only Greek Catholic parish in these parts. I go there because I am spiritually fed by participating in the services of the Byzantine Church. I think that our parish being the only one for miles obligates us to teach the spirituality and liturgy of the Byzantine Church, not importing new Roman Catholic devotions because they are popular and/or easier while neglecting teaching and learning about our own devotions.

In our community there are many welcoming RC churches which celebrate special Divine Mercy novenas, and the other popular Roman devotions for those who want to participate (which I do from time to time!).

But my needs from my Church are to participate in the customs of the Christian East, that's why I am a parishioner there.

I am aware of other posters, especially Alex, who give us very good ideas of how Latin devotions have influenced our Orthodox brethren, but I think it is important for us, especially in poor, remote, mission parishes to study about and learn our own history and traditions rather than copying what our RC neighbors are doing.

Stefan, you've actually hit on a great exchange idea. Have Vespers, Liturgy, etc. for Thomas Sunday, distribute the Artos (which was blessed on Pascha) and invite the Romans, and you can go to their church for Mercy Sunday activities. That way both experience the riches of each other's devotion.

Personally, I love the Divine Mercy chaplet. For me, the West helps me concentrate on my repentance, sorrow, and atonement before God and the East helps me celebrate what He has done for me and for humanity.

ChristTeen287

quote from Stefan-Ivan
-------------------------

I agree with you on this point. This problem also exist in the RC Church. I find it distracting when some one is saying the rosary at Mass. When we come together as a Community to worship our God it should be as one voice in praise.The rosary is a sacremental not a sacrament. The Mass (Divine Litury) is primary to our faith and the rosary has its place but not at Mass.
Peace Deacon Pat T.O.Carm

Similar to the Divine Mercy Chaplet

Rosary of the HOLY WOUNDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

say on rosary beads
large bead: Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Wounds of Our Lord Jesus
Christ - to heal the wounds of our souls.

small bead: My Jesus, pardon and mercy - Through the merits of Thy HOLY
WOUNDS

Glory To Jesus Christ!
Glory To Him Forever!
I think that the Rosary is a much needed and beautiful way of honoring God and praying to his Dear Mother. I for one was raised Roman Catholic and was always taught to have the Rosary
before the Liturgy. When at the age I could decide for myself, I followed my Dear Mother's tradition of being a Byzantine Catholic, and I would never go back to the Roman Catholic Church, but that is beside the point right now, I still think that when we pray the Rosary before the Liturgy it is all together, as said "When one or more are gathered in My Name, I am in the midst of them". But if you are talking about during the Liturgy, well that is a different situation.
Butch
vze4r42x@verizon.net

Dear Friends,

The Divine Mercy Chaplet is very Eastern in terms of its overall spirituality.

The representation of the image of Christ from Whose Side flows Water and Blood is very Johannine and is celebrated liturgically in the East, the Wounded Side etc.

The theology of the Blood of Christ in the East is shown in the Eastern Cross of Calvary with the skull of Adam at its base.

The tradition was that the Cross was fixed right on top of the grave of Adam. As Christ's Blood dripped down, it touched Adam's bones, and destroyed his sin and brought him salvation - and through him to all of us.

The Blood and Water of Christ's Side heal us of our sinfulness and transfigure us on the way to becoming Christ-like, or Divinization in Christ through the Spirit.

The Western notion that Christ died to, essentially, save us from the Father is simply foreign to the redemption theology of the East.

Alex

Dear Walt,

You might want to consider moving this interesting thread somewhere other than here as it is a reflection about a form of prayer - rather than a request for prayer which is proper to the Prayer Thread.

You are better off getting this advice from me rather than the Moderator.

I'm just a sweet push-over . . .

Alex

I absolutely agree with Stefan Ivan 1000%. The chaplet, Rosaries, Stations, etc. may be dear to people's hearts personally, but they do not belong to the public Liturgical life of our Byzantine churches - especially as a substitute for our own untapped treasury of prayer.

That said...

PRIVATELY & PERSONALLY I pray the Chaplet daily for the conversion of the doctor who thoughtfully chose to build his abortion clinic a block or so away from our church. Rumor has it that St. Faustina was called to pray the Chaplet for the first time to divert Divine wrath from a particular city, for a particular sin - abortion. Whether that is true or not,(I choose to believe that it is) I add a small prayer of my own after the prescribed prayers which belong to the Chaplet. This is my own little addendum, not official, not approved by anybody, and I'm NOT promulgating it in any way, shape or form, but if anybody likes it, you have my permission to adopt and/or share it:

"O Lord, You do not desire the death of a sinner, but that he repent and live. Your angel came to St. Faustina, and bade her pray this Chaplet of Divine Mercy to stay the hand of Divine Justice from smiting a city wherein abortions were performed.

In Your Divine Mercy, convert the heart of (_doctor's name_) open his (her) eyes to the evil of abortion, that he (she) may repent, perform no more abortions, and henceforth practice medicine only unto the affirmation of life.

Through the prayers of the Mother of God, and ever virgin Mary & all the saints, and in the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit, now and ever & forever. Amen"

Cheers,

Sharon

(whose pastor is much devoted to the Divine Mercy)

Dear Orthodox Catholic:

I apologize for misplacing the thread; I would, however, appreciate hearing this from the Administrator himself. I don't appreciate you taking on this responsibility on your own....just be patient...you'll be Administrator one day, Big Guy!

Don't worry. Not a problem.

Stefan-Ivan, you know I agree with you 1000%+ on this issue. However there has to be pastoral prudence and catechetical preparation to instruct the faithful on why we should sing the Hours instead of having a recited Rosary before Liturgy, etc. You can't tell people to stop what might be a beloved personal devotion without giving them something else and explaining why this needs to be done. One has to walk before running.