By Valerie Joy Escalona
Manila, Philippines, Apr 27, 2025 / 06:00 am
The Philippines is set to make history on April 27, Divine Mercy Sunday, as it becomes the first nation in the world to consecrate itself entirely to Jesus through divine mercy. This groundbreaking event will mark a significant moment for the country and its people.
In 2016, at the Pan-African Congress on Divine Mercy Sunday in Rwanda, bishops in Africa consecrated the entire continent to divine mercy. However, the Philippines will be the first singular nation to take this remarkable step towards spiritual renewal.
Father James Cervantes of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception (MIC) expressed his awe at the unprecedented nature of this consecration. He believes that the bishops’ decision to lead the country towards holiness is inspired by the Holy Spirit.
It all began with a heartfelt letter from Cervantes to bishops nationwide, calling for a collective consecration to divine mercy. The response was overwhelming, with dioceses embracing the idea wholeheartedly.
The Permanent Council of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has officially approved the national consecration to divine mercy. This significant event will be part of the 2025 Jubilee Year celebrations, with all Masses on April 27 dedicated to this purpose.
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, president of the CBCP, has urged all dioceses, parishes, religious communities, and Catholic institutions to participate in this historic spiritual initiative. He emphasized the importance of trust in divine mercy as a source of strength and refuge in times of uncertainty.
Faustina’s Call to Divine Mercy
In the words of Faustina, “I desire that my mercy be worshipped, and I am giving mankind the last hope of salvation; that is, recourse to my mercy.” These profound words echo the call to Divine Mercy that resounds in the hearts of believers worldwide.
Amid the challenges facing our country and the global community today, the act of consecration is seen as a collective response of faith and hope. It is a beacon of light in the face of threats such as global war, corruption, the erosion of truth, and opposition to Church teachings on life and family.
The upcoming consecration on Divine Mercy Sunday will be a powerful moment of grace and renewal. The Prayer of Consecration to the Divine Mercy will be recited during Masses across the country, replacing the general intercessions.
According to Cervantes, this consecration goes beyond mere words. It requires a deep understanding and willingness to surrender ourselves completely to God’s will. As Jesus said to St. Faustina, “Gather all sinners from the entire world and immerse them in the abyss of my mercy.”
This act of national consecration is a radical step towards entrusting ourselves entirely to God. It is an offering of our nation’s heart and soul to the Divine Mercy. At its core lies the essence of radical trust — the kind of trust that Jesus asked of St. Faustina in her revelations.
As we prepare for this national consecration, let us reflect on the words of Jesus in the Diary of St. Faustina, “I desire trust from my creatures. Souls that trust boundlessly are a great comfort to me because I pour out all the treasures of my graces into them.” Let us, as a nation, place our trust completely in God and surrender ourselves to His will.
