date: 30.03.2008.
The Feast of the Merciful Jesus (Mercy Sunday) was solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter, in Surmanci, in one of the filial churches of Medjugorje Parish. During the preparatory Novena, the faithful prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet. On the feast itself, the central celebration was Holy Mass presided over by Fr. Miljeko Šteko. Numerous pilgrims joined the parishioners for the Mass.
In the afternoon, several hundreds Italian pilgrims went in procession walking from Medjugorje to Šurmanci and prayed there before the Icon of the Merciful Jesus the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 PM.
A group of Italian friends from Trento helped in the construction of this church both materially and in prayer. This prayer group also offered Medjugorje an Icon of the Merciful Jesus which is of particular significance... a miracle of healing, which happened through the medium of this Icon, was one of the accepted proofs for the beatification of Sr. Faustina Kowalska, and for the recognition of the Devotion to the Merciful Jesus together with the establishment of the Feast of Mercy Sunday on the first Sunday after Easter. This image is now placed above the altar in Surmanci Church, which is consecrated to the Merciful Jesus.
Ever since the construction of the Church of the Merciful Jesus in Surmanci, the faithful have frequented it on pilgrimage. They come in groups to pray the Divine Mercy Rosary in front of the Icon, and to entrust themselves to the Merciful Jesus.
