Listen to Him!

In a world filled with many different voices influencing us and pulling us in all directions, we must ask ourselves, what and who am I listening to? This was the theme of the 11th Annual Divine Mercy Conference, This is My Beloved Son, Listen to Him hosted by The Missionaries of The Divine Mercy, an apostolate commissioned by The Sanctuary of The Holy Family.

The two-day conference, held February 24 and 25, featured two international speakers, Fr Philip Scott FJ and Sr Caterina Esselen OLM, as well as three local speakers, Frs David Khan, Ian Taylor and Urban Hudlin OP, each of whom brought their inspired teachings on the theme and the Divine Mercy Devotion, which left the attendees encouraged, renewed and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The conference commenced with the opening Mass celebrated by Fr Scott who laid the foundation for what would be an amazing and inspiring two days.

Following Holy Mass, Fr Khan gave the first talk titled ‘Beloved, Listen to Him’ where he reminded the participants that obedience to God brings blessings. He also stated that we need to stop  “hearing” and start listening to the voice of God. His message resonated deeply with participants.

Participants heard Sr Caterina, who reinforced how much God desires our trust and how our lack of trust in God comes from listening to the wrong voices. Fr Taylor gave an inspiring message on the dangers of the music we listen to which sometimes promotes teachings opposing to the Catholic faith. Fr Hudlin also reminded the attendees that we need to be like Samuel and when God calls us, we must say “Yes Lord, your servant is listening.”

Among the highlights of the conference was a Eucharistic Healing of Memories service and the ‘Fix Your Gaze’ meditation. Led by Fr Scott and Mona Rahael TOC, respectively, these sessions facilitated profound encounters with Divine Mercy.

During the Healing of memories service, participants were led in a prayer exercise that offered a sacred space to confront past wounds and seek solace in God’s Mercy.

In the ‘Fix Your Gaze’ meditation, attendees were led through reflections on the Divine Mercy image and were encouraged to write their prayer responses on dissolvable paper, which they placed in large basins of water at the foot of the altar, symbolising the relinquishment of their burdens and wounds to God.

The conference closed with Holy Mass celebrated by the Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon. In his homily, he reinforced the conference theme reminding the participants that as they go forth to listen to the voice of the Father and when we move to a willingness to obey God, we move from people who are occupying space on Earth to disciples of Jesus Christ.

As the attendees departed, their hearts were full of gratitude and spirits uplifted by the transformative power of Divine Mercy. In a world often marked by division and strife, events like the Divine Mercy Conference serve as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the profound love and mercy that awaits those who open their hearts to God’s mercy in their lives when they obey the Father’s message not only to the disciples but to all of us, “This is my beloved son, listen to Him.”

Conference talks are available FREE online via their podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts. Simply search ‘The Missionaries of The Divine Mercy’ or ‘Divine Mercy Conference’ to access.

—Renee Simeon