- Dominica in Albîs - In the Early Church, people who became Christians would wear their white baptismal garments for seven days after their baptism to symbolize new life in Christ. This Sunday would be the last day that they would wear their white garments before putting on their normal earthly clothes In a similar way, we continue the celebration of Easter for Eight Days (called the Octave of Easter). After eight days, we must put aside some of our celebration and get back to work, living the life that Jesus called us to live.
- Divine Mercy Sunday - This Sunday is also called Divine Mercy Sunday. In 1931, Jesus appeared to a young nun named Faustina, now St. Faustina, and asked her to spread devotion to Divine Mercy. This devotion consisted of works of mercy towards others, the veneration of an image of Divine Mercy which he instructed her to have painted, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and a Novena which would last from Good Friday until today, which our Lord designated as the Feast of Divine Mercy. Pope St. John Paul II confirmed this feast in 2000. On this day, it is traditional to say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and spend some time meditating on the image of the Divine Mercy of Jesus which He revealed to St. Faustina.
II. Read 1 John 5, 4-10
- How do we overcome the world? What does St. John mean when he says "the world"?
- What three things testify that Jesus told us the truth about God?
- For more advanced students: How does God prove his power over sin by these three things?
- Who sends us the Holy Spirit?
- Who offered the Most Precious Blood for our sins?
- Who gives us grace at baptism?
- Should we believe people more than we believe God?
III. Read John 20, 19-31
- After Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, what power did he place in their hands?
- Who forgives sins in place of the Apostles today?
- Who wasn't with the Apostles when he first appeared to them?
- When Jesus visited the Apostles again, what was miraculous about how he entered the room?
- Are all of Jesus's miracles written down in the Gospels?
- What is the purpose of recording the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels?
IV. Catechism Lesson
Penny Catechism, no. 135-140
Penny Catechism, no. 135-140
135. Will Faith alone save us?
Faith alone will not save us without good works; we must also have Hope and Charity.
136. What is Hope?
Hope is a supernatural gift of God, by which we firmly trust that God will give us eternal life and all means necessary to obtain it, if we do what he requires of us.
137.Why must we hope in God?
We must hope in God because he is infinitely good, infinitely powerful, and faithful to his promises.
138. Can we do any good work of ourselves towards our salvation?
We can do no good work of ourselves towards our salvation; we need the help of God's grace.
139. What is Grace?
Grace is a supernatural gift of God, freely bestowed upon us for our sanctification and salvation.
140. How must we obtain God's grace?
We must obtain God's grace chiefly by prayer and the holy Sacraments.
V. Catechism Review Questions (for next week)
- What do we need besides faith to go to heaven?
- What is "hope"?
- How do we know that we can hope in God?
- What is grace?
- Can we go to heaven without grace?
- What are the two main ways that we receive grace?
VI. Classroom Activities:
- Go over the Catechism Review Questions from last week.
- Explain the two names for this Sunday: Dominica in Albis and Divine Mercy Sunday
- Show the students a picture of Divine Mercy. Point out the text at the bottom, "Jesus, I Trust in You." Explain to them that devotion to Divine Mercy is about hope and that we hope in God because we know that he loves us and wants to forgive us our sins.
- Explain that one of the devotions Our Lord taught St. Faustina was the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Teach children how to recite the chaplet.
- Read the Scripture lessons from Mass and discuss the questions that follow.
- Recite the Catechism lesson chorally. Remind students to study the lesson for next week.
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