A Divine Mercy Pilgrimage

On Divine Mercy Sunday, Dean Steven Cain and his wife, Mary (O’Hara ’87), led a group of students and staff from Thomas Aquinas College, New England, on a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. In the early morning, the group departed from campus, brimming with Paschal excitement as it set out for the 75-mile-drive.

Upon arrival at the Shrine, the students joined together with some visiting TAC alumni, members of the Sisters of Life, and 15,000 other pilgrims for Mass. Offering the liturgy was the Most Rev. Timothy Broglio, J.C.D, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Despite some rough weather, “The Mass was incredibly beautiful and reverent,” says Jack Milligan (’26). “We ended up kneeling in the mud to receive Communion, and that was such a wonderfully humbling experience.”

After Holy Communion, the shrine bells tolled, loudly proclaiming 3:00 p.m. — the Hour of Mercy. The pilgrims then solemnly prayed a sung Divine Mercy Chaplet, which was followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

“When we first arrived at the Shrine, it was so very cloudy. But as soon as Mass started, the sky opened up and the sun was brightly beaming on us for the whole time,” recalls Lucianna Umaña (’26). “I felt like it was His Mercy shining upon me.”