National Shrine of The Divine Mercy
The spiritual home of the Association of Marian
Helpers, the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, is located on Eden
Hill in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, close to the site of the first
Christian mission to the native people of the Berkshires. It adjoins Eden
Hall, the former Field's family "summer cottage" and later the
St. Edmund's Episcopal School for boys, now the Headquarters of the St.
Stanislaus Kostka Province of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception.
Erected to house the sacred image of Our Lord as "The Divine Mercy,"
which had become the object of spontaneous pilgrimages since it was first
enshrined in the tiny Eden Hill chapel in 1945, and of which millions of
copies found their way from there to all the continents, the magnificent
stone chapel was ten years (1950-1960) in the building. It was inspired
by the faithful from all over the country who had experienced the wonderful
effects of the Message of The Divine Mercy, revealed
through Blessed Faustina Kowalska, as well as
of the Devotion associated with it. It was also
funded by their freewill offerings as a grateful tribute to the tender
mercy they had experienced God pouring out upon them. The construction
was done entirely by hand by local stone masons and wood carvers using
locally-found materials.
Every day at three in the afternoon, "The
Hour of Great Mercy," the chapel bell invites the faithful who
come to Eden Hill to implore God's mercy for themselves and the world,
especially for sinners, by calling to mind both Christ's abandonment at
the moment of His agony and His love for us -- expressed by the gushing
of the Blood and Water from His Heart as a transfusion into us of His divine
life when His side was pierced by a lance on the Cross -- and by offering
appropriate prayers. The Chaplet of The
Divine Mercy, one of the forms of the Devotion to The Divine Mercy
revealed through Blessed Faustina, is also recited at this time. The relic
of Blessed Faustina is now enshrined in a side altar at the Shrine. A specially
commissioned wood carving was blessed by Cardinal Law in 1993.
Pilgrimages
Pilgrimages are always welcome on Eden Hill, and the Shrine is open
every day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bus pilgrimages are organized throughout
the year. All bus groups must prearrange their visit with the Shrine Pilgrimage
Coordinator.
For more information of Pilgrimages call or write: Shrine of The Divine
Mercy, Eden Hill, Stockbridge, MA 01262. Tel. 413-298-1119. Or E-mail us
at dmshrine@aol.com .
Masses
Visitors are always welcomed to attend Mass at the National Shrine of
The Divine Mercy at 7:15 a.m. on weekdays, at 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays, Holy
Days and holidays, and at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. The Chaplet to The Divine
Mercy is prayed daily at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy at 3:00
p.m. On Sundays, the Chaplet is celebrated with Benediction.
Shrine Gift Shop
The Shrine Gift Shop (located under the Chapel) is open from 9:00 a.m.
- 5:00 p.m. weekdays and weekends. The telephone number is (413)298-1111.
Closed most major holidays -- please call ahead.
E-mail: dmgiftshop@aol.com
.
1997 Novenas
St. Valentine -- February 5 - 13
St. Joseph -- March 10 - 18
Easter -- March 21 - 29
Divine Mercy -- March 28 - April 5
Mother's Day -- May 2 - 10
Holy Spirit -- May 9 - 17
Father's Day -- June 6 - 14
St. Anne & St. Joachim -- July 17 - 25
St. Peregrine -- August 1 - 9
Assumption -- August 13 -15 (Triduum)
St. Therese -- September 22 - 30
Bl. Faustina -- September 26 - October 4
St. Jude -- October 19 - 27
Immaculate Conception -- November 29 - December 7
Christmas -- December 16 - 24
Prayer Intentions:
The Marians at the Shrine of The Divine Mercy daily remember, in prayer
and Holy Mass, all Marian Associates and those who write or call with prayer
requests.
Novenas At The Shrine:
Marian Associates and their intentions are remembered throughout the
year in Novenas of Masses at the Shrine. Novena Masses are celebrated at
the regular morning Mass times, and Novena Prayers are prayed at 3:00 p.m.
daily. Visitors are welcome to attend.
The word "novena" comes from the Latin meaning "nine
each." It is a prayer or Holy Mass that is offered for nine consecutive
days.
Scripturally, novenas get their origin from the nine days of prayer
before Pentecost. The apostles and disciples, in obedience to the Lord,
gathered in the upper room and devoted themselves to constant prayer, together
with Mary, the Mother of Jesus (Acts 1:14).
Jesus exhorted us to continually ask, seek, and knock for what we need
(Lk 11:10), and His parables give strong examples of the value of persistence
in prayer (see Lk 18:1-8 and Lk 11:5-9).
We should consider novenas as persistent, persevering prayer for special
needs and of preparation for solemn feasts.
Shrine Hours: Open daily 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mass Schedule:
Weekdays 7:15 a.m.
Saturdays 8 a.m.
Sundays 10:30 a.m.
Holy Days/Holidays 8 a.m.
Daily Services:
Chaplet and Novena of Divine Mercy at 3 p.m. followed by the Sacrament
of Reconciliation. On Sundays, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament precedes
the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
All are welcome to attend Holy Masses and Services.
Directions
If you are traveling from or through
Pennsylvania, New York or New Jersey, Take the New York Thruway
North (I-87) to exit 21A. Then exit at the intersection of I-90 (Berkshire
section of the Thruway) and proceed East. Exit at B3 (Austerlitz) and follow
the signs to Route 22 South (less than a mile), then to Route 102 East,
through West Stockbridge and into Stockbridge.
If you are traveling from North of the Mass Pike, take Route
7 South and follow the signs to Stockbridge.
If you are coming from south of the Mass Pike, take Route 7 North
from Connecticut.
If you are arriving from the East via the Mass Pike, take Exit
2 (Lee) and follow Route 102 to Stockbridge.