Celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday

For over 10 years a Divine Mercy Event has been held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Hartford, Connecticut USA.  For the past 5 years the Children Rosary has been asked to help. 

The children gathered together before the Event to ready their voices and practise singing our theme song Rosary Children.  Jeff Batter who helped in recording our theme song was there to accompany them.  This was a real treat for the kids!  

The Event opened with a procession of the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard and members of the Children's Rosary. The image of Divine Mercy was placed at the front of the Church and Fr. Nadolny blessed the Image. The children then held a Children's Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament. 

The children each took turns going to the podium to lead the prayers of the Rosary.  Charlotte and Massie, just 6 years old, melted hearts with their sweet angelic voices.  

Charlotte and Massie leading a decade of the Rosary

We were also blessed to have the Official Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Great sacrifice had been made to bring her... with one mother driving from Steubenville, Ohio to Connecticut.  This is over an 8 hour drive.  Ellen was not initially the one who was scheduled to bring Our Lady but due to illness Ellen stepped forward.  She drove into the night and through a snow storm to have Our Lady of Guadalupe there for Divine Mercy Sunday. These incredible sacrifices surely brought great love and extra blessings on the day. 

At the end of each decade of the Rosary a child placed a rose at the feet of Our Blessed Mother.  

Three priests were also available for Confession throughout the afternoon.  During some quiet time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament Kostin, one of the members of the Children's Rosary, helped to guide Sean to the confessional.  Sean is blind but has attended many Children's Rosary group meetings at our Parish.  He is in his 70s but says he likes to attend to pray for his own grandchildren that live far away.  Sean always feels comfortable asking Kostin for hep.  There is something easier about asking a child for help.  It is always beautiful to see the two of them walking together.  A truly beautiful sight on Divine Mercy Sunday.  Many might have seen Kostin and Sean in our theme song video Rosary Children.  

Special thanks to Sandy Shields and Scott Scaria who plan this yearly Divine Mercy Event and for inviting the Children's Rosary to participate.  We would also like to thank Ellen Puorro and Patty Brady who brought the Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and were present throughout Divine Mercy Sunday.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
EWTN Interview about the Children's Rosary

Photo credit: several of the photos shown above were taken by Patty Brady