National Shrine of The Divine Mercy (Stockbridge, Massachusetts)

The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy is a Roman Catholic shrine located in Stockbridge, MA.

The priests and brothers of the Congregation of Marians of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary have resided on Eden Hill in Stockbridge, MA, since June 1944. Father Walter Pelczynski, MIC, with the assistance of local clergy and friends of the Marian community, initially purchased 50 of the 370 acres (1.5 km²) that constituted the "Eden Hill" estate in November, 1943.^[1] The house was to serve as the novitiate for a newly forming province. An image of the "The Divine Mercy" was enshrined in one of the small chapels where the members of the community prayed daily a perpetual novena to the Divine Mercy.

Pilgrims began to arrive the very next spring to celebrate the Feast of The Divine Mercy (just after Easter). By the end of World War II in 1945, pilgrims in growing numbers came to offer thanksgiving for graces received through the Divine Mercy message and devotion. They urged the Marians to build a shrine to Jesus, The Divine Mercy, as a votive of thanks. The Fathers decided to accede to the requests since there was also a need for a larger chapel to accommodate a growing community.

The construction of the present Shrine began in 1950 and was completed and solemnly dedicated by Springfield Bishop Christopher Weldon in 1960. In 1996, the United States Catholic Bishops Conference declared it a National Shrine in accord with Church law. The National Shrine has drawn thousands of pilgrims from around the world.

See also

• Divine Mercy Sanctuary (Krakow)
• Divine Mercy Sanctuary (Plock)
• Divine Mercy Sanctuary (Vilnius)
• National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, Philippines

References

• Marians of the Immaculate Conception. National Shrine of Divine Mercy. Last accessed on 21 August 2010.
• The Divine Mercy. The Divine Mercy. Last accessed on 31 March 2008.

1. ^ "Welcome to Eden Hill". http://www.marian.org/shrine/about.php. 

External links

• National Shrine of The Divine Mercy Website
• National Shrine of The Divine Mercy: Photo Gallery by The Catholic Photographer

Coordinates: 42°17′19.51″N 73°18′39.99″W / 42.2887528°N 73.3111083°W / 42.2887528; -73.3111083