A Journey of Grace: Celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday and the Virgin of the Revelation

Mar 27, 2026

A Journey of Grace: Celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday and the Virgin of the Revelation

As we look toward the 12th of April 2026, we prepare for a day of extraordinary grace and historical significance. Not only will we celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy, but we also mark a powerful connection between Heaven and earth: the apparition of the Virgin of the Revelation to Bruno Cornacchiola at Tre Fontane.

The Great Promise of Divine Mercy Sunday

Divine Mercy Sunday is a “day of grace for all souls.” In her Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul, St. Faustina Kowalska recorded the words of Jesus regarding the specific promises for this day.

“The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened.” — Diary, 699

St. Pope John Paul II, who officially established this feast for the universal Church in the year 2000, spoke of it as a gift for the modern world:

“Divine Mercy! This is the Easter gift that the Church receives from the risen Christ and offers to humanity at the dawn of the third millennium.” — Homily, April 22, 2001

The Virgin of the Revelation: A Call to the Fold

While we immerse ourselves in the ocean of Mercy, 2026 also invites us to remember the Virgin of the Revelation. On April 12, 1947, at Tre Fontane in Rome, the Blessed Mother appeared to Bruno Cornacchiola—a man who had once plotted against the Church.

In the accounts found in Il Veggente (The Seer): The Secret of Tre Fontane, we learn of the Virgin’s motherly intervention. She appeared with a green mantle and the Scriptures in her hands, saying:

“You persecute me – enough of it now! Enter into the true fold, God’s Kingdom on earth.”

A Journey of Thanksgiving

This April 12th is a day to give thanks. For centuries, the Virgin Mother has interceded for her children, leading us by the hand to the feet of her Son. To honor this dual occasion, we invite you to take part in a local pilgrimage.

A Local Pilgrimage

If you are in Western Australia, consider making your way to the Divine Mercy Shrine in Lower Chittering for the Feast celebrations. On your journey, we encourage you to stop at the Virgin of the Revelation Shrine in Bullsbrook (just 5 minutes drive, see map below). There, you can pause to thank “Mama” herself for her tireless intercessions.

Note for Pilgrims: When visiting the Bullsbrook Shrine, please note that the sacred soil from Tre Fontane is located behind the locked gate to the right of the water fount (rather than down by the statue of Our Lady). This soil, brought from the site of the original apparition, serves as a physical link to the “pure fountain of the Gospel” the Virgin spoke of.

A Global Offering

If you cannot attend in person, you can join this pilgrimage spiritually from anywhere in the world. Before you attend your local Divine Mercy Sunday service, offer a word of thanks to the Blessed Mother, acknowledging her protection and her guidance, which always points us toward her Son.

Walking the Path of Mercy and Conversion: A Call to the Heartland

A small, private pilgrimage walk has been organised for the morning of the 12th, traveling directly from the Bullsbrook Shrine to the Divine Mercy Shrine in Lower Chittering.

The group will depart in the morning, aiming to reach Lower Chittering in time for the Divine Mercy Celebration Mass at 1:30pm.

On the 12th of April, 2026, the veil between Heaven and earth will be so light. This will be such a day of graces, a rare moment to give some of our time back to our beloved Mother, and to her Son, who died on the Cross for us, so that we might experience Mercy.

A Question for Your Soul: Why This Pilgrimage Matters

As we look toward April 12th, the question is not merely whether you will attend an event, but whether you are prepared to receive a King. We must look inward and ask ourselves: Do I love Him? Has my heart been hardened? Do I truly see Him, know Him, and want Him?

In her Diary, St. Faustina records the warnings and promises of Jesus that explain why a “hard heart” is the greatest obstacle to our peace:

1. On “Seeing” and “Knowing” Him through Love

Jesus taught that only a heart that is soft and humble can recognize His presence.

“A soul does not benefit as it should from the sacrament of confession if it is not humble. Pride keeps it in darkness… It puts on a mask and avoids everything that might bring it recovery.” (Diary, 113) The Question: Are you wearing a mask of “business” or “self-sufficiency” that prevents you from seeing your need for Him?

2. On the Reward of Pure Love

The promise of the 12th of April is intimacy. Jesus told Faustina:

“The more a soul loves Me, the better it knows Me.” (Diary, 1021) The Question: Do you want to know Him, or just know about Him? The pilgrimage is the physical step that proves the love of the heart.

3. On the Hardening of Hearts in the Last Days

The “storm” mentioned by the Virgin of the Revelation is real, and the hardening of hearts is its first sign. Jesus warned:

“He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice…” (Diary, 1146) The Question: Will you choose the door of Mercy while it stands wide open this April?

4. On Seeking Him as a Refuge

In a world that steals our time and hardens our resolve, Jesus remains the only true Father:

“My Heart overflows with great mercy for souls… If only they could understand that I am the best of Fathers to them…” (Diary, 367)

Strength in Unity: Overcoming the Storm Together

There is a final truth we must carry with us as we prepare for April 12th: We will reach more merits when we unite and come together. The negative forces of this world thrive on division and isolation. They want us to stay busy, stay separate, and stay silent. But the “storm” that is approaching cannot be weathered alone. We need to unite, in prayer, in pilgrimage, and in purpose, to overcome what is to come.

When we stop at the Virgin of the Revelation Shrine and then travel towards the Divine Mercy Shrine for Divine Mercy Sunday, we are not just individuals on a path. We are a spiritual army of peace.

Why Unity Matters Now

Multiplied Merits: Our collective sacrifice carries a weight that individual effort cannot match.
Shared Strength: When one heart feels hardened by the world, the fire of the brother or sister travelling the road beside them can reignite it.
A Sign to Heaven: A united people is the greatest “anchor” we can offer to the King of Mercy.

The veil is thin. The floodgates are open. The Father is waiting.

We invite you to break the cycle of isolation. Join this mission and make Divine Mercy Sunday a day pilgrimage. Join the prayer. Join the gratitude. Let us stand as one before the Mother and the Son, for only together can we truly say:

“Jesus, I Trust in You.”

Find out more about Divine Mercy Sunday: https://divinemercyshrine.com.au/events/divine-mercy-sunday-pilgrimage-2026/]

38 Years of Faith on the Move: A Record Breaking Year

This year marked the 38th annual Walk to Knock, also known as the Cursillo Peace Walk, and the response was nothing short of miraculous. For the first time in its history, pilgrims from Limerick and Galway joined forces with established walk groups from Derry, Belfast and Dublin.

The Road to the Triumph was used as the central place where people could register for the walks, and it was wonderful to hear that this 38th year was record breaking for registration and participation. It proves that the spiritual harvest in Ireland is not only alive, but actively growing.

“If faith does not arrive through interior conversion, it has not arrived anywhere.” Robert Nugent

The Origins and Spiritual History of the Walk

To understand why thousands walk this path today, we must look at where it began. The walk was first conceived as a response to both historical suffering and spiritual calling.

Thomas Gallagher recalls the early days of the initiative and a crucial piece of advice that shaped its identity:

“It came about of an idea to have a sponsored walk for the 10th anniversary of Cursillo. That would have been around 1987. Billy Doherty said, ‘Listen Thomas, forget about money. Forget about doing anything for the 10th anniversary, because money only destroys things.’ He said, ‘Therefore do the walk for peace.’ The peace that we are walking for is an individual peace.”

Thomas goes on to reflect on the deep historical roots of Knock itself, pointing back to the Great Famine and Archdeacon Cavanagh, who offered 100 Masses over 100 days for the Holy Souls prior to the famous 1879 apparition:

“Knock is a response to that pain, and that suffering… Our Lady came to comfort the people… This is what Knock is all about, it is what the hidden factor is, never mind the apparition, is the amount of souls that went to Heaven. So in many ways I think what is really happening here on the walk… people are discovering Christ on the walk, because He is literally here with us. And that is when they accept Christ in their heart, and they find the peace that the world cannot give.”

“The walk to Knock is special because it is a spiritual event. It is deeply rooted in prayer. It is deeply rooted in the Mass, because we are making God the centre of it… You have already said ‘Yes’ just by taking the first step, and allowing God to reveal Himself along the way.”

Muscular Catholicism in Action

Bishop Donal McKeown once remarked that Derry Catholics practise a kind of “muscular Catholicism”. They do not just travel to holy sites; they physically walk the distance, embracing penance, summer heat, sore feet and hard floors along the way.

Starting out from locations such as Maynooth College, which provided fantastic hospitality and accommodation for the Dublin walk, pilgrims traversed miles of Irish countryside. They slept in local GAA and sports halls, blew up air mattresses and shared simple meals together. This journey mirrors the very way Christ and His apostles evangelised by setting out on foot, relying on hospitality and meeting people exactly where they are.

Reaching Outside the Comfort Zone: Special Shout Out to John Connors

Why are these walks attracting so many people, including young men, first time pilgrims and those who have never stepped foot in Knock before?

Grassroots Catholic Leadership & Social Media Witness: A massive shout out goes to the Irish actor John Connors, who boldly used his online presence to inspire and drive people to register for this year’s walk. You can watch his powerful call to action on Facebook. Alongside his wife Danielle, John runs an incredible ministry and YouTube channel dedicated to reviving the faith. We highly recommend that you subscribe to their channel, Reclaim the Faith. Leaders like John and Aaron Gallagher, who led the Dublin route, stepped up to get the word out, proving that the Holy Spirit is actively using digital platforms to reach people who feel alienated from traditional parish structures.
An Authentic Encounter: People are not looking for polite, watered down religion. They are seeking a lived, tangible encounter with Christ, authentic community and shared prayer.

Get Involved: Registration and Information

The movement is spreading rapidly, and there is a place for you on the journey. Whether you want to register for next year’s pilgrimage, deepen your prayer life or connect with a local group, here is how you can take part:

Register for Walk to Knock 2027: If you wish to register for next year’s walk, please visit Road to the Triumph Walk to Knock.
Cursillo in Ireland: Discover more about local Cursillo weekend events and how to get involved at Termon Bacca Cursillo.
Cursillo in England: If you are based in England and want to connect with a local Cursillo group, please fill out our Contact Us form on the website, and we will pass your details on to the correct people.

Images from this year’s record breaking walk to Knock will be added below.

If you would like to see how pilgrims arrive at the shrine after their long journey, you can watch The Cursillo walkers arrive to Knock. This video captures the joyous culmination of the pilgrimage as walkers gather at Knock Shrine.