date: 24.04.2006.
The Feast of the Merciful Jesus (Mercy Sunday) was solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter, on April 23rd., 2006, in Surmanci, in one of the filial churches of Medjugorje Parish.
During the preparatory Novena, the inhabitants prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet every evening. On the feast itself, the central celebration was Holy Mass at 10.00 am presided over by Dr. Fr. Ivan Sesar, Parish Priest of Medjugorje, and concelebrated by Fr. Petar Vlasic who is responsible for the pastoral care of that part of Medjugorje Parish. Numerous pilgrims joined the parishioners for the Mass. From early afternoon until late that night, floods of pilgrims from various countries, and from Italy in particular, prayed before the Icon of the Merciful Jesus.
A group of Italian friends from Trento helped in the construction of this church both materially and in prayer. This prayer group also offered Medjugorje an Icon of the Merciful Jesus which is of particular significance... a miracle of healing, which happened through the medium of this Icon, was one of the accepted proofs for the beatification of Sr. Faustina Kowalska, and for the recognition of the Devotion to the Merciful Jesus together with the establishment of the Feast of Mercy Sunday on the first Sunday after Easter. This image is now placed above the altar in Surmanci Church, which is consecrated to the Merciful Jesus.
Ever since the construction of the Church of the Merciful Jesus in Surmanci, the faithful have frequented it on pilgrimage. They come in groups to pray the Divine Mercy Rosary in front of the Icon, and to entrust themselves to the Merciful Jesus.
