Fr. Zachary of the Mother is God is well known to Corpus Christi area Catholics. He was stationed as chaplain at Our Lady of Corpus Christi College where he also taught numerous college level courses. A former civil attorney he was educated for the priesthood in Rome where he was ordained. He is presently the director of Lay Formation for the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity and travels throughout the US to fulfill his mission for the order.

Father Zachary of the Mother of God, a priest of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity and the featured speaker at the Catch the Wave of Mercy retreat, discussed seven aspects of Divine Mercy devotion held at Corpus Christi Cathedral on April 9 and 11.

The devotion, focused on Christ's limitless mercy and love for mankind, is a relatively new one, as such, and is and based on the 1930s-era writings of Sister St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, who was canonized in 2000 by Pope John Paul II.

The point of the devotion is mercy -- "begging His mercy, trusting in His mercy, and showing mercy to those around us," said Father Zachary. He noted that there are seven aspects of Divine Mercy.

The first aspect is the actual feast of Divine Mercy celebrated on the Sunday following Easter Sunday since the Vatican made it official on April 30 in the Jubilee year 2000. It carries the promise that Jesus Himself made for a complete forgiveness of all sins and punishment on that day, even to the most terrible sinner imaginable providing he/she fulfills what is asked by the Lord. God in His great mercy is giving mankind a last chance for salvation.

The second aspect of the Divine Mercy is the Image. The Lord directed Sr. Faustina to have it made. It was to be signed, "Jesus, I trust you" and was to be venerated. There are many variations of the Divine Mercy image around the world, the most famous is the image from Vilnius, Lithuania. It is the original and only Divine Mercy Image painted under Sister Faustina's direction, in 1934 by Vilnius artist Eugene Kazimirowski, who was retained by Sister Faustina's spiritual director. The deep meaning of the image is explained through various electronic media available at the retreat. One aspect of the image focused on during the retreat was the unexplained fact that when this image is superimposed over the face of Christ visible on the famous Shroud of Turin it forms a perfect match. Comparisons of various points of facial measurements indicate, according to some scientists, it is the same person.

The third aspect is the Divine Mercy Novena. It is begun ideally on Good Friday and completed the Saturday before Divine Mercy Sunday, though it can be said at any time. The novena divides souls into different groups, which are prayed for on a specific day. Categorie of souls include souls who have become lukewarm, meek and humble souls and the souls of little children, and souls of priests and religious.

The fourth aspect is the 3:00 p.m. hour the time at which Jesus died by crucifixion and is called the hour of mercy. St. Faustina records in her diary that "It is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. It is Jesus' desire that the moment of His Death on the Cross (3:00 p.m.) be venerated."

The fifth aspect of Divine Mercy, is the Chaplet that is said during the hour of mercy, usually on traditional rosary beads. It consists of three main prayers, one begins "Eternal Father," the Response begins "For the sake of His sorrowful passion," and "Holy God" (which comes from the Good Friday liturgy's Adoration of the Cross), these are often sung, as is the thrice-said concluding prayer. The chaplet is especially recommended to be said for those who are dying.

The sixth aspect of Divine Mercy is the Sacraments of Mercy, Reconciliation and Communion through which we meet our Lord Jesus Christ and are enveloped in oceans of his divine mercy.

The seventh aspect of the Divine Mercy is the deeds of mercy in answer to Jesus' Call to Mercy.

"I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it," records St. Faustina.