By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

This year’s diocesan Divine Mercy celebration in Saskatoon included prayers for peace, offered in solidarity with Pope Leo XIV’s vigil of peace the evening before at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at the annual Divine Mercy prayer service in Saskatoon, which began at 3 p.m., the “Hour of Mercy” on the second Sunday of Easter, April 12, at the Cathedral of the Holy Family.

“As we celebrate this special day, this year, also this weekend we respond to our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV’s call to spend a time in prayer for peace to the Divine Mercy,” said Hagemoen, welcoming hundreds of the faithful gathered for the 2026 event.

“We pray in a very special way in this extraordinary time of great conflict and potential for rising war, that God’s spirit of peace, reconciliation and new vision will come to the minds and hearts of all those who are responsible, and lead our nations on the important pathways to peace, good will, and right relationship,” said the bishop. “We pray O Divine Mercy whose heart and life saved the world, that you would grant this!”

Divine Mercy Sunday included Eucharistic adoration, praying of the Divine Praises, and benediction, as well as the Divine Mercy chaplet and litany. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

After the proclamation of the Gospel of John for the Second Sunday of Easter by Fr. Joe-Nelo Panino, parochial vicar at Holy Family Cathedral, the bishop offered a reflection about Divine Mercy Sunday established by Saint John Paul II, and the prayers for peace led this year by Pope Leo.

“Inspired by the spiritual visons and mystical experiences of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Sr. Faustina Kowalska, John Paul II established this day highlighting the mercy of God, available to the whole world because of what we celebrate now — the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, following His ultimate act of mercy on the cross,” said Hagemoen.

Quoting St. John Paul II statements about Divine Mercy, the bishop observed: “Divine Mercy Sunday celebrates the love that gives everything: redemption, salvation, sanctification.”

Hagemoen then cited Pope Leo’s call to “implore the Divine Mercy to guide and lead the world in the pathway of peace.”

With difficult issues and mounting conflict and confrontations around the world, Pope Leo had strong words at the April 11 vigil “about the way of mercy and the illogic of conflict,” Hagemoen noted.

“As the Holy Father said: ‘War divides, hope unites. Arrogance tramples upon others, love lifts up. Idolatry blinds, the living God enlightens.’”

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at the diocesan Divine Mercy celebration April 12, 2026 in Saskatoon, praying in solidarity with Pope Leo for peace in our world. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The bishop continued quoting the Holy Father’s message at the vigil of peace in Rome: “‘All it takes is a little faith, a mere “crumb” of faith, in order to face this dramatic hour in history together — as humanity and alongside humanity.’

“Pope Leo emphasized that ‘Prayer is not a refuge in which to hide from our responsibilities, nor an anesthetic to numb the pain provoked by so much injustice.’ Rather, it is ‘the most selfless, universal and transformative response to death.’

“‘In prayer our limited human possibilities are joined with the infinite possibilities of God. Thoughts, words and deeds then break the demonic cycle of evil and are placed at the service of the Kingdom of God. A Kingdom in which there is no sword, no drone, no vengeance, no trivialization of evil, no unjust profit, but only dignity, understanding and forgiveness.’”

The Divine Mercy Sunday afternoon service continued with prayers before the Blessed Sacrament on the altar, including the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Divine Mercy Litany, along with praying of the Divine Praises and benediction.

Photos

The Easter candle and the Divine Mercy image frame Bishop Mark Hagemoen as he offers prayers for peace during the Divine Mercy celebration on the second Sunday of Easter April 12. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Divine Mercy Sunday included Eucharistic adoration, praying of the Divine Praises, and benediction, as well as the Divine Mercy chaplet and litany. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Divine Mercy Sunday included Eucharistic adoration, praying of the Divine Praises, and benediction, as well as the Divine Mercy chaplet and litany. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

 

Pope Leo’s Prayer for Peace during Vigil April 11 in Rome:

Lord Jesus,
you conquered death without weapons or violence:
you shattered its power with the strength of peace.
Grant us your peace,
as you did to the women filled with doubt on Easter morning,
as you did to the disciples who were hiding in fear.
Send forth your Spirit,
the breath that gives life and reconciles,
that turns adversaries and enemies into brothers and sisters.
Inspire in us to trust in Mary, your mother,
who stood at the foot of your cross with a broken heart,
firm in the faith that you would rise again.
May the madness of war cease
and the Earth be cared for and cultivated by those who still
know how to bring forth, protect and love life.
Hear us, Lord of life!

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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: rcdos.ca.

Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.