By TWE News Desk

The Archdiocese of Jos was charged with the spirit of faith and compassion as hundreds of devotees gathered at St. Matthew’s Parish, Giri, to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday—a day set aside by the Church to honour the boundless mercy of God and call believers to trust in Him and extend that mercy to others.

The celebration held on Sunday, April 27,  marked by deep prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal, was led by the Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Matthew Ishaya Audu, who exhorted the faithful to renew their faith and become living witnesses of God’s mercy in their daily lives.

Divine Mercy Sunday, officially instituted by Pope St. John Paul II in the year 2000, is observed on the first Sunday after Easter. It is rooted in the revelations of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun and visionary who shared the message of Jesus’ infinite mercy to the world. In a powerful moment of unity at the Mass, the Archbishop cried out three times: “Jesus!” to which the congregation responded, “I trust in You!”—echoing the Divine Mercy prayer taught by Saint Faustina.

A Mass of Mercy and Forgiveness

Archbishop Audu reminded the faithful that Divine Mercy Sunday is not just an ordinary celebration, but a grace-filled moment, granting plenary indulgence to those who fulfill the conditions of confession, Holy Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father.

Using a touching story of a father seeking reconciliation with his estranged son, the Archbishop illustrated the depth of God’s unconditional love. Many who read the father’s public message of forgiveness mistook it as a call to them—and came forward, yearning for mercy. “This tells us that everyone is searching for love and forgiveness,” he said, adding that God, like that father, is always waiting for His children to return home, no matter how far they’ve strayed.

The ABC of Mercy

The Archbishop broke down the message of Divine Mercy into three simple steps—A, B, C:

A – Ask for God’s Mercy: Approach Him in repentance and humility.

B – Be Merciful to Others: Show mercy in action and forgiveness, especially to those who have hurt us.

C – Completely Trust in Jesus: Trust unlocks the door to God’s grace. “The more we trust, the more mercy we receive,” he emphasized.

Faith in Times of Trial

Drawing from the Gospel reading (John 20:19-31)—the story of “Doubting Thomas”—Archbishop Audu addressed the struggle many believers face when tragedy or suffering shakes their faith. “When our prayers are not immediately answered or when we face deep pain, we question God. But that’s when we must cling more tightly to our faith, like Thomas who came to believe after encountering the Risen Lord,” he said.

He called on Christians to hold on to their belief even when God seems silent, stressing that true faith is not just about miracles but about trusting God even in the silence and shadows.

“Faith gives life to religion,” he said. “Without it, religion dies like a body without blood.”

Mercy Must Flow Through Us

Archbishop Audu warned against seeking God’s mercy while refusing to forgive others. “If we wake up at 3am every day to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet but do not forgive our neighbour, then we are blocking that same mercy we are begging for.”

He added, “To be a true devotee of Divine Mercy is to be an apostle of mercy—bringing healing, forgiveness, and peace to our homes, communities, and nation.”

At the veneration of the Divine Mercy image, the Archbishop urged all present to not only seek forgiveness but also to release others from the prison of resentment. “We must go from this altar into the altar of life and live out mercy.”

He also called for prayers for Plateau State, especially the communities in Bokkos, which recently experienced violent attacks, leading to the death of over 100 people. “This is the time for us to pray and show mercy by standing with those in pain.”

Spreading the Message of Mercy

Rev. Fr. Godfrey Gopep, Provincial Chaplain of the Divine Mercy Apostolate, thanked Archbishop Audu for his support and commended the faithful for their growing devotion. He noted the increase in the number of parishes with active Divine Mercy groups and highlighted the visible transformation in the lives of devotees who now more readily forgive and help the less privileged.

Bro. Edmond Eze, Archdiocesan leader of the Divine Mercy Apostolate, said members are committed to spreading the message of mercy. “To experience God’s mercy is to secure eternal life,” he said. “We invite all Christians to immerse themselves in this ocean of mercy.”

The feast ended with the cutting of the Divine Mercy cake, symbolizing the joy and unity of all who have encountered God’s love.

Divine Mercy Sunday reminds every believer that God’s mercy is greater than our sins. And just as we receive it freely, so must we give it freely.