The Philippines is the first Country dedicated to Divine Mercy.
On this year's Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, the Philippines became the first country in the world to consecrate itself entirely to Jesus through Divine Mercy. In this island in Far Eastern Asia, the message and devotion to Divine Mercy, called the largest grassroots movement in the history of the Catholic Church, is particularly popular. In the archdiocesan Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in El Salvador near Cagayan de Oro in the province of Misamis Oriental in the northern part of the island of Mindanao, the largest celebration of this feast in the world takes place, attracting over 57 thousand pilgrims from all over Asia.
In 2016, during the Pan-African Congress on Divine Mercy Sunday in Rwanda, bishops from Africa consecrated their continent to Divine Mercy. Still, the Philippines was the first country to do so.
"This is an extraordinary and unprecedented event. Never before in the history of the world has an entire country been consecrated to the Divine Mercy. I believe that the bishops have been inspired by the Holy Spirit to lead our country [through this consecration] to holiness," said Father James Cervantes of the Congregation of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception (MIC), dedicated to spreading the message of Divine Mercy.
In an interview with him on April 27, the American platform National Catholic Reporter noted that this bold initiative was born from one spark – his fervent letter to local bishops, calling for a nationwide consecration to God's mercy. The dioceses reacted enthusiastically, and soon the idea spread like wildfire. The Permanent Council of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) officially confirmed this, announcing that the nationwide consecration to the Divine Mercy will occur at all Masses on April 27 as part of the celebration of the Jubilee Year 2025.
The president of the CBCP, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, issued a statement calling on all dioceses, parishes, religious communities, and Catholic institutions to participate in this groundbreaking spiritual initiative. "This nationwide consecration will be a profound expression of our trust in God's mercy, which remains our last refuge in these times of uncertainty and trial. As Jesus said to St. Faustina: I desire that My mercy be worshipped, and I am giving mankind the last hope of salvation, that is, recourse to My mercy. (Diary 998) – explained the bishop of the diocese of Kalookan.
He described this national act of consecration as a "collective response of faith and hope" in the face of the grave challenges confronting the country and the international community today, such as the threat of global war, widespread corruption, the erosion of truth, and the constant opposition to the Church's teaching on life and the family.
As part of the consecration, all Masses throughout the country on Divine Mercy Sunday included a prayer of consecration to the Divine Mercy instead of a general intercessory prayer.
It is not only about saying the words of a prayer, but one must be properly disposed to understand what it truly means to devote oneself as a nation to God's mercy. In the Diary of St. Faustina, Jesus says: Gather all sinners from the entire world and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. (Diary, 206) – reminded Fr. Cervantes. He explained that "consecration means total offering of oneself to God. It is an act of total surrender to God and His will." He emphasized that "this is very radical and very transforming; it means that we reject our selfish plans, will, and desires to be able to give ourselves completely to God." He added that "we are doing this as a nation. It is a national sacrifice of self to God."
The priest noted that "the essence of consecration is radical trust, for which Jesus repeatedly asked St. Faustina in her revelations." He said, "As a nation, we put ourselves in your hands; we are at your disposal. We do it because Jesus wants us to." He quoted the words of Jesus from the 'Diary of St. Faustina': I desire trust from My creatures. Encourage souls to place great trust in My fathomless mercy. Let the weak, sinful souls have no fear to approach Me, for even if it had more sins that there are grains of sand in the world, all would be drowned in the unmeasurable depths of My mercy. (Diary #1059).
To help prepare Filipinos for this holy moment, the friar launched a 14-part video series on the Marian Helpers Philippines Facebook page to "form an entire nation in preparation for a national dedication to Divine Mercy." He emphasized the importance of preparing well for the consecration and avoiding empty declarations.
The message and devotion to Divine Mercy has been called the largest grassroots movement in the history of the Catholic Church, and it is especially popular in the Philippines. The world's largest celebration of this feast occurs there, attracting over 57,000 pilgrims across Asia to the archdiocesan Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in El Salvador, Mindanao. In comparison, the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow receives 40,000 pilgrims from around the globe. At the same time, the American National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where the Marians have their headquarters, welcomes between 20,000 and 25,000 pilgrims on Divine Mercy Sunday.
In preparing for this historic act of consecration, the Philippines demonstrated a remarkable belief that devotion to the Divine Mercy is more than popular piety. As St. John Paul II always said, it is 'an answer to the world's problems.
A Filipino missionary, a Teresian Adelfa Armentia, who has been working in Japan for many years, told the Catholic Information Agency that 'this consecration is not some act imposed from above by bishops, but results from a long-standing tradition of prayer to the Divine Mercy, especially in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao, where this national sanctuary is located. Every day at 3:00 p.m., people stop their work and pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. The Filipino missionary is convinced that this act of entrusting the whole country to the Divine Mercy undoubtedly met with their great joy, faith, and hope.
I am very proud that a Filipino heart beats in my Polish body.
fr. george