Second Greatest Story Ever Told

Description

In “Second Greatest Story Ever Told,” Fr. Gaitley tells a story of faith that encompasses Divine Mercy, the life of St. Pope John Paul II, and the crucial role that Marian Consecration can play in your life. Fr. Michael Gaitley is a priest in the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception and the director of the Association of Marian Helpers, a spiritual benefit society with more than one million members.

The Divine Mercy comes from the vision of Jesus given to Saint Maria Faustina. The message she received is basically the same message received by Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. Both devotions focus on the mercy of God expressed in Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross for our sins. The devotion to the Sacred Heart also includes a large element of reparation for those who scorn God’s mercy and love. In her vision, Saint Maria Faustina saw Jesus asking us to pray for various groups of people who were in most need of Jesus’ mercy – sinners, apostates, etc. While some saw a danger in this message of believing that all of these people would be saved, the devotion is actually in line with the spiritual work of mercy to pray for the living and the dead in the hopes that grace will awaken the consciences of those in danger of eternal damnation.

Pope John Paul II is known for promoting the devotion to the Divine Mercy and lifting the interdict placed on it by Polish bishops in 1959. The cause of the interdict was mainly due to the colors of the rays eminating from Jesus’ heart in the Divine Mercy image being too similar to the red and white Polish flag. The bishops feared the devotion would become embroiled in politics. There was also a concern that the message of universal salvation, as I stated above.

Marian Consecration is the act of dedicating your life to Mary as the Queen Mother in service of her Son, Jesus Christ. The act of consecration offers a structure for a Catholic spiritual life and beseeches the aid of Mary in growing in holiness and attaining the grace necessary for complete conversion of heart. You can learn more about Marian consecration from True Devotion to Mary, and 33 Days to Morning Glory.