Divine Mercy Sunday and the "House of Mercy"

The House of Mercy on the Torit-Juba Road

I would like to share with you a project that is developing in Torit. The diocese owns a property on the main road that passes through town on the way to the capital of Juba; it is literally just a stone's throw from the bishop’s residence. It was intended to be a convent for religious sisters, but during the war years was occupied by local merchants. Bishop Akio refers to it as the “House of Mercy.” The property consists of 4 or 5 storefront spaces that open onto the street, a house in the rear, a small office, and a long narrow building that extends back into the courtyard.

Floor plan of the property

The buildings and the grounds are ideal for a residence for local priests, religious and/or laity who would like to live a more regular prayer life in a community setting, a Divine Mercy Eucharistic chapel for prayer and adoration, and space for evangelization and formation activities for youth and adults. Its location could not be more visible and accessible.

The interior of the proposed Divine Mercy Chapel

The house in the rear of the property viewed from the side street

The only difficulty, as you can see, is that the buildings are in serious disrepair. Work will so begin on rebuilding the perimeter wall, replacing defective roof beams and metal sheeting – particularly over the residence, rehabilitating the sanitary facilities and improving the doors and windows, but these are just the first steps of the extensive renovation that will be necessary to fully restore “Mercy House.”

Bedroom (above) and common area (below; note the missing roof panels) of the house

The name “House of Mercy” describes its mission: a place where people can experience in a tangible way the mercy of God. The revelations of Divine Mercy to St. Faustina in the 1930s, which we remember and celebrate in a special way today, Divine Mercy Sunday - one week after Easter, have renewed awareness in the Church of this supreme quality of the heart of Jesus. Mercy means allowing the suffering and need of another to affect me, enter into me, move me to compassion - God allows our pain to afflict His heart. Mercy embraces every level of need: physical pain, emotional torment and above all our desperate need for forgiveness of sin and healing its scars. Mercy is a saving salve applied to all these wounds.


There is an acute need for mercy in all its forms in Southern Sudan. To have a refuge where people could come to find peace in the midst of struggle and relief from heavy burdens would be an incredible blessing. The growing presence and aggressive efforts of those promoting other messages than that of the Church – one of the reasons for Pope Benedict XVI’s recent visit to Africa – underscore the importance of a renewed impetus for Catholic evangelization that offers to everyone the totality of truth and fullness of life in Christ.

Courtyard between house (right) and proposed chapel (left)