Julia’s Weekly Shrine Round-up: 10/24

By Julia Rose

Hello again, and Happy Friday!

As we near the end of October, you will notice the National Shrine is in the midst of fall in New England: some trees coated in bright orange leaves and others completely bare and ready for winter! Walking around this time of year means a slight chill and warmer apparel — sweaters and jackets — as you soak up the colorful landscape and quiet atmosphere. And the sunsets are glorious!

Remember everything you need to know to plan a visit to the National Shrine is posted on ShrineofDivineMercy.org, including a calendar of events. 

And in case I don't meet you in person, please e-mail me with your pilgrim stories and photos!

West Coast Pilgrim!
Helana from St. Joseph’s Parish in Salem, Oregon traveled cross-country on a three-day pilgrimage to the National Shrine, her first visit. Having read St. Faustina’s Diary as well as been gifted a prayer card by her mother, Helana was aware of the National Shrine. But it wasn’t until reading Fr. Chris Alar's’ book Understanding Divine Mercy that, she says, "I felt the sheer happiness of finally understanding St. Faustina and the writings. It made me feel closer to Jesus and our Father.” And a bonus was meeting Fr. Chris in person!

Sharing Polish ancestry and a very similar first name, Helana felt even more drawn to the saint. “It is a somewhat unusual name and pronounced the same, and I felt connected to her somehow — like cousins who share a love of Christ.”

Reflecting on the importance of Divine Mercy, Helena says, “It means that our eternal Father has so much love for us, that His Son was sent to save us, and He truly desires our love, and even our miseries, to be shared with Him in love. Being immersed in His Divine Mercy is a glimpse of Heaven.” What a beautiful message!

Don't miss "Explaining the Faith in 15 Minutes," a talk by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC on Saturdays at 11 a.m. ET. This week's topic is "Cremation: Is It Allowed?" Watch this Saturday on YouTube and DivineMercyPlus.org.

The Power of Healing
Just as we ask for God’s mercy, so too do we often seek healing through the intercession of the Holy Spirit. Father Anthony Gramlich, MIC, is chaplain of the Mother of Divine Mercy Prayer Group and organizer of the Healing Masses, celebrated monthly at the National Shrine.

“At many Masses there is healing, but we just don’t ask for it," Fr. Anthony explains. "At a Healing Mass, we are explicitly asking the Lord to heal us."

The charismatic prayer group meets every Thursday at 7 p.m., with Mass at 8 p.m., followed by fellowship. All are welcome to join, and there is no obligation to attend all meetings. “It’s always open,” Fr. Anthony says. 

On the last Thursday of the month, there's a Healing Mass. “Sometimes God will just give the person a little touch to improve their prayer life, for them to learn more about their faith, or to come to Mass or Confession more often," Fr. Anthony says. "Every Healing Mass is different. Some are more quiet and gentle. Some are very, very powerful.”

Healings can range from physical to spiritual, and sometimes people will receive the charismatic gift of “resting in the Spirit.” “It’s when the Holy Spirit takes over the person and then the Holy Spirit has the person rest," Fr. Anthony notes. "A gift to heal the person’s spirit. Touch their heart. Touch their soul. Give them the love of God.”

Please join the last Healing Mass of the year on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m., which will be celebrated by Fr. Anthony. Out of respect for the people in attendance, these Healing Masses are not livestreamed. Monthly Healing Masses will resume in January 2026.

Watch Fr. Anthony's video: "What is a Healing Mass"?

Gifts & More!

Nestled in the heart of Eden Hill is another beautiful treasure: The Divine Mercy Gift Shop! Jennifer Elovirta (above), manager since 2015, is no stranger to the reaction of first-time visitors. “When they walk around the corner here they are blown away by the size of our shop!”

And I think you will be too. From Rosaries to pamphlets, candles to statues, Marian Press books to children's toys, the Gift Shop is filled with every type of Christian item you could imagine. “I mean, you name it, we try and have it," Jennifer says. "We have something for everybody.” All proceeds support the Marian Fathers and the National Shrine.

If you are shopping for a specific occasion, it is very easy to walk around and browse displays focused, for instance, on marriage, First Communion, and Christmas, year-round. “If it wasn’t for Christmas, we wouldn’t be here," Jennifer notes with a smile. “We try to emphasize the little things. Every little thing that represents God can help someone. Just the little keychain, something with a little reminder, to keep them grounded and connected to faith,” Jen says.

Sometimes pilgrims purchase items in bulk and distribute gifts to others to share the message of Divine Mercy. “We always remember when, years ago, someone called and ordered 50-cent Rosaries," Jennifer recalls. "For Halloween, they were giving out hundreds of them.”

One of five full-time staff, Erin, who has worked at the Gift Shop for almost 10 years, always enjoys Saturdays as that’s when she can help the most visitors. And on Divine Mercy Sunday, the busiest day of the year at the National Shrine, the staff move the Gift Shop outdoors under a huge tent to accommodate the thousands of pilgrims, each one eager to shop!

The Divine Mercy Gift Shop is open every day of the week from 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Please visit DivineMercyGiftShop.org to browse items and order online.

Saint Michael's off to Connecticut
While on her day-long pilgrimage to the National Shrine, Carolyn (above, far left) from St. Jeanne Jugan Parish in Enfield, Connecticut, purchased a long-awaited statue of St. Michael the Archangel (above) from the Divine Mercy Gift Shop. It will be placed next to a list of all the active military personnel in one of the four churches that are part of her parish.

An adult faith formation facilitator, Carolyn was making her third group pilgrimage with 19 participants. “We want to introduce people to places that were fairly close — to feed them in such a way that they always feel that they could come back, whether we had a bus trip going or not," she explains.

"It's so inspirational here," adds fellow pilgrim Lillian. "I'm always amazed and wish more people would visit."

Each of the four churches in Carolyn's parish has the Divine Mercy Image displayed on the outside and inside. “It’s a message that people really need to hear in their heart, not just their head," she says. "I think that coming up to the National Shrine gives people that opportunity to experience the Divine Mercy.”

Her advice to first-time pilgrims? “Come and be open to the experience, whatever happens. If you end up walking the Stations of the Cross and you miss something you wanted to see, it’s okay. Just let God lead you through it, because He makes His presence known here.”

Is the Image of Divine Mercy displayed in your home and your parish? Jesus told St. Faustina, "I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and [then] throughout the world. I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish" (Diary, 47-48). Obtain your copy of the Image today by visiting DivineMercyArt.org.

That's all for today! Have a great weekend and see you next Friday!
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