Vilnius prepares for Divine Mercy Sunday with thousands of pilgrims expected

Vilnius is gearing up for Divine Mercy Sunday, with thousands of pilgrims anticipated to gather at the city’s Shrine of Divine Mercy, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) reports.

The feast, celebrated on the second Sunday of Easter, invites believers and people of goodwill to rediscover the message of mercy as the core of Christian life. Vilnius holds special significance as the home of the original Divine Mercy image of Jesus and the birthplace of the devotion itself, according to the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy.

Archbishop Gintaras Grušas highlighted Vilnius’ unique role in the history of the Divine Mercy devotion: “While Marian apparition sites attract millions of pilgrims worldwide, we in Vilnius had an appearance of Jesus Himself—a very rare occurrence.”

The feast traces its origins to 1931, when Saint Faustina Kowalska, then a nun in Płock, Poland, heard Jesus’ request to paint His image and establish a feast of mercy on the first Sunday after Easter. The devotion was later formalised by Pope John Paul II in 2000 when he canonised Sister Faustina and instituted the feast for the universal Church.

Divine Mercy Sunday is preceded by a week of prayer and reflection, culminating in an ecumenical Way of Light procession on Saturday evening. Thousands of participants carrying candles walk from the Gate of Dawn to the Shrine of Divine Mercy, witnessing to the Risen Christ through prayer and song.

“On Saturday evening, as we prepare for Divine Mercy Sunday, we traditionally walk the ecumenical Way of Light—thousands of people with candles from the Gate of Dawn to the Shrine of Divine Mercy, testifying to Christ’s resurrection,” said Father Povilas Narijauskas, rector of the shrine. “This Sunday draws pilgrims and journalists from around the world to Lithuania.”

Among the visitors is Adriana, an American pilgrim who travelled to Vilnius for the occasion: “I thought mercy is everywhere, in every church, but I wanted to see the original Divine Mercy image, to touch the roots of this devotion, the city where Jesus Himself appeared.”

This year’s celebration coincides with the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy, uniting believers from various countries to deepen their understanding of God’s mercy and its relevance today. The congress features conferences, prayers, and testimonies, fostering dialogue, unity, and spiritual renewal.

Divine Mercy Sunday serves as a reminder that mercy is not merely a religious concept but a living relationship—a call to forgive, help, and build bridges in a fractured world. In the face of social, economic, and geopolitical challenges, the message of mercy remains especially urgent. The congress’ theme, “Let us build the city of mercy,” invites participants not only to reflect on God’s mercy but to embody and witness it in daily life.