When [the Divine Mercy Chaplet] is said by the bedside of a dying person, God’s anger
is placated, unfathomable mercy envelops the soul, and the very depths of My tender
mercy are moved for the sake of the sorrowful Passion of My Son. ~ St. Faustina’s
Diary
During the first week of Passiontide (the 5th week of Lent), my family traveled to assist
at the bedside of a dying relative. During this time, my wife and I prayed the Divine
Mercy chaplet daily for her (my wife’s grandmother) salvation and perseverance in the
Faith. This close encounter with the end of life revealed many truths about life and
showed forth the great mercy that God desires to pour down onto all of us.
Sacraments of Mercy
First, there was the reception of the sacraments. On the day prior to her losing the
ability to speak, she was able to make her last confession and receive anointing of the
sick. Those present could feel a change in her as the peace that comes with God’s
forgiveness washed over her. She was anointed again later as death became imminent
and received general absolution and the apostolic pardon, clearing any barriers in our
power to her eternal reward.
Heavenly Hope
It was her wish that she not be given pain medication to the point of losing her reason or
awareness and this choice proved to be for her and our benefit. As we spoke to her,
though she could not respond verbally, she could give signs of her comprehension. At
one point, my wife, seeking to console her, spoke to her of the great good that she
would be able to do for us and her family through her prayers in heaven. She nodded,
showing her perseverance in the Faith even amidst her great suffering and weakness.
An Abundance of Consolation
She passed peacefully on Palm Sunday morning, surrounded by her family. All of her
children, all but one of her grandchildren, and both of her great-grandchildren, were able
to see her in the week before she passed. The abundance of these favors surely proved
a great consolation to her, but also to us now that she has left this world. So many die
without preparation, without the sacraments, without any sign of repentance for sin or
perseverance in the Faith. Seeing these things in her, the overflowings of Divine Mercy
upon her, we are consoled with a great hope that she has been, by the Mercy of God,
saved and is either in heaven or on her way there.
This is a grace, the grace of a holy death, we should be praying for everyday of our
lives. The Divine Mercy wishes to give it to us, but we must ask Him for it. Once asked,
however, we should rest confidently that the Divine Mercy rejoices to pour out such a
great grace upon us.
This was very touching. Thank you for sharing this important reflection on the passage through death, and the power of Divine Mercy. God bless.