Divine Mercy is–

Infinite.

Free.

Bold.

Powerful.

Trustworthy.

I am–

A pilgrim of mercy. 

Imagine for a moment the life of the average 24-year-old. At the age of 24, Damien of Molokai volunteered to leave his homeland of Belgium to serve as a missionary in the Kingdom of Hawaii, where he was ordained a priest. 11 years later, he volunteered to go to the island of Molokai, where those with leprosy were forcibly quarantined. He knew the risks and he went anyway. Damien worked tirelessly to improve living conditions for the patients. He helped them build homes, schools, a church, and a hospital. He provided medical care, organized the community, and restored dignity to the patients. He ministered to both their physical needs and their spiritual well-being, offering the sacraments and sharing in their suffering. After serving the rejected and suffering people of Molokai for many years, Damien contracted leprosy himself. The year was 1884, and he was 44 years old. Despite his declining health, he continued his work until he died five years later. Pope Benedict XVI canonized Damien on October the 11th, 2009, recognizing him as a martyr of charity and a model of self-sacrificial love.

The radical compassion of Saint Damien of Molokai was so Christlike that I have trouble comprehending it. And most of the letters he wrote were burned upon arrival out of fear that leprosy could be transmitted just by touching the letters. So I tried to imagine what he would say to you as you make this consecration journey, and this is what I came up with. "My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the love of Christ compels us to go where others fear to tread, to embrace those whom the world has cast aside, and to pour ourselves out in service to the most vulnerable. This is the essence of radical compassion, a love that knows no boundaries, a mercy that seeks no reward, and a commitment that endures even in the face of great personal suffering. During my years on the island of Molokai, living among those affected by leprosy, I learned firsthand what it means to live out this radical compassion. It is a call to see Christ in the face of the suffering, to love with a heart that does not count the cost, and to give until nothing is left but the joy of having served. When I first arrived at the leper colony, I was struck by the immense suffering of the people. These men, women, and children had been torn from their families and left to fend for themselves in isolation. Their bodies bore the disfigurements of disease it was their loneliness, rejection, and despair that cut the deepest wounds. Yet as I walked among them, I was reminded of Christ's wounds. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. In their pain, I saw the suffering Christ. In their isolation, I saw the Christ who was abandoned on the cross. And in their cries for help, I heard the voice of Christ calling me to love without hesitation. To practice radical compassion is to recognize the dignity of every human being, especially those whom society has marginalized. It is to see beyond appearances, beyond fear, and beyond prejudice, and to embrace each person as a beloved child of God. Radical compassion requires a willingness to go beyond the limits of comfort and convenience. It is not a love that remains distant or detached. It is a love that gets the hands dirty, that suffers alongside others, and that offers everything it has.

When I chose to live among the lepers of Malachi, I did so because I believed that love demands presence. I could not merely preach to them from afar. I needed to share in their lives, their struggles, and their hopes. I built churches, heard confessions, bandaged wounds, and buried the dead. Over time, I became one of them, not just in spirit, but also in body, as I eventually contracted leprosy myself. Some may see this as a tragedy, but I see it as a gift. To suffer with those I served was to share in the very heart of Christ's mission. Jesus himself took on our humanity, entered into our pain, and gave his life for our salvation. Radical compassion calls us to imitate this self-giving love, to be willing to lose ourselves so that others may find life. To love radically is to live fully. It is to find meaning and purpose in the service of others and to experience the joy of being an instrument of God's mercy. The world today is in desperate need of radical compassion. There is so much division, prejudice, and indifference toward the suffering of others.

The example of Jesus and the call of the gospel challenge us to break down these barriers and to love boldly and unconditionally. Radical compassion does not require extraordinary circumstances. It begins in the small acts of kindness we show to our neighbors, the sacrifices we make for our families, and the openness we extend to strangers. It is a way of life that sees every person as worthy of love and every moment as an opportunity to serve. It is not an easy path, but it is the way of Christ. And in living out this call, we not only transform the lives of others, we also draw closer to the heart of God ourselves. Open your heart to the radical compassion of Christ. Go to Jesus in the blessed sacrament, and he will give you the strength for whatever he calls you to. Let his love flow through you to heal this broken world. It is only by loving without limits that we find the true meaning of our lives. Father Damien, that is what I imagined he might say to us as we make our way toward our consecration to Divine Mercy. Saint Damien of Molokai, pray for us. Trust, surrender, believe, receive. How many people do you know who have stopped going to mass? It's sad, isn't it? So many people don't go to mass anymore. And they aren't strangers. It's our family and friends very often. And the tragic part, they have no idea what they're missing out on. We want to change that at Dynamic Catholic. This year, we are focused on finishing a groundbreaking learning system that will transform the way people experience the mass forever. And we need your help to make this dream a reality. So please click the button below, choose your welcome gifts, and become a Dynamic Catholic Ambassador today. If you're already an Ambassador, increase your gift today, and we will send you these exciting new gifts too. Have a great day. And remember, Be Bold, Be Catholic.

Eternal God,

in whom mercy is endless

and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible,

look kindly upon us

and increase Your mercy in us that in difficult moments

we might not despair

nor become despondent,

but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will,

which is love and mercy itself.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

See you tomorrow.

Thank you, Ambassadors.

You are changing the world. Have a great day. Have a great day.

Have a great day. 

Hey, Isabelle. One of the best ways for a pilgrim of mercy to collaborate with God is to create holy moments. So I figured, well, we have a couple of minutes here. You could inspire our audience, teach them how to listen to the Holy Spirit and take action. What is today's Holy Moment Challenge?

Let's find out. Today's Holy Moment Challenge is volunteer your time or talent to a good cause.