Honoring Divine Mercy Sunday with Montessori-Inspired Activities

The Easter season is rich with meaning, and one of its most profound celebrations is Divine Mercy Sunday, which falls on the first Sunday after Easter. This feast, established by St. John Paul II in the year 2000, was inspired by the visions of St. Faustina Kowalska, a humble Polish nun to whom Jesus revealed the message of Divine Mercy.

For Catholic Montessori families, Divine Mercy Sunday is an opportunity to teach children about God’s infinite love, forgiveness, and grace through hands-on, meaningful activities. By integrating Montessori principles—self-directed learning, sensory-rich materials, and real-life applications—we can help children experience the beauty of Divine Mercy in ways that resonate deeply with them.

Who Was St. Faustina? A Child-Friendly Introduction

Before engaging in activities, introduce children to St. Faustina Kowalska in a simple and engaging way:

• Who was she? St. Faustina was a Polish nun who lived in the early 1900s. She was chosen by Jesus to share the message of Divine Mercy with the world.

• What did she experience? Jesus appeared to her in a vision, wearing a white robe with rays of red and white light coming from His heart. He told her, "Jesus, I trust in You!" should be the prayer of all hearts.

• What is Divine Mercy? Divine Mercy is God’s endless love and forgiveness for everyone, no matter what mistakes we’ve made.

• What did Jesus ask her to do? Jesus asked St. Faustina to spread the message of His mercy and to have a special image painted so that people would remember His love.

After this introduction, children will be ready to engage in Montessori-inspired activities that bring this message to life.

1. Practical Life: Living Mercy Through Actions

One of the best ways to teach Divine Mercy is by doing acts of mercy. Help children understand that mercy is something we practice every day through kindness, forgiveness, and helping others.

The Water of Mercy Activity

Objective: Teach children about God’s mercy washing away sins.

Materials:

• A bowl of clear water (representing God’s love)

• A few drops of food coloring (representing sin)

• A spoonful of baking soda (representing mercy)

Lesson:

1. Drop food coloring into the water, explaining that sin can make our hearts dark.

2. Stir and observe how the water changes.

3. Add the baking soda and watch how the water becomes clear again.

4. Explain that God’s mercy makes our hearts clean when we ask for forgiveness.

   
   

Mercy in Action Chart

Objective: Help children practice acts of mercy at home.

Materials:

• A printable “Mercy Chart” with simple tasks like:

  ✅ Share with a sibling

  ✅ Say “I’m sorry” when you hurt someone

  ✅ Pray for someone who is sad

  ✅ Do a kind act without being asked

Each time a child completes an act of mercy, they can color a heart or place a sticker on their chart.

2. Art & Sensory: Creating the Divine

Mercy Image

The Divine Mercy image is a powerful visual that helps children connect with Jesus’ love. Montessori education values hands-on learning, so allow children to create their own representations of this sacred image.

Painting the Divine Mercy Image

Objective: Help children visualize Jesus’ mercy through creative expression.

Materials:

• A simple outline of Jesus

• Red and blue watercolor paints (to represent the rays of mercy)

• Brushes or sponge painting materials

Lesson:

1. Show children an image of Jesus, the Divine Mercy and explain the meaning of the two rays:

   • Red = His blood, which gives us life

   • Blue = The water, which washes away sins

2. Allow children to paint over the outline of Jesus, using soft, flowing strokes to create the red and blue rays.

3. Discuss how Jesus’ mercy flows from His heart to all of us.

   
   

Clay or Playdough Mercy Rays

For younger children, use red and blue playdough to create “rays” coming from a printed picture of Jesus, allowing them to work on fine motor skills while learning about Divine Mercy.

3. Language & Reflection: Learning the Divine Mercy Prayer

One of the most important aspects of Divine Mercy Sunday is the Divine Mercy Chaplet, which can be simplified for young children.

The “Jesus, I Trust in You” Prayer Board

Objective: Teach children the simple but powerful prayer, “Jesus, I trust in You.”

Materials:

• A small chalkboard or poster

• A decorative printout of the words “Jesus, I Trust in You”

• Stickers or a Montessori-style moveable alphabet

Lesson:

1. Teach children to say and sign “Jesus, I trust in You.”

2. Let them trace the words with their fingers.

3. Have them decorate the board with hearts, crosses, or images of Jesus.

4. Place this in their prayer space for daily reflection.

   
   

Simplified Divine Mercy Chaplet for Children

Instead of the full chaplet, invite children to repeat this simple prayer: “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. ”Encourage them to say it on each bead of a small rosary or while moving stones from one basket to another, making it a tactile and engaging activity.

4. Nature Walk: Seeing Mercy in Creation

Nature is one of the best ways for children to understand God’s gentle mercy. Take a walk outside and encourage children to find signs of mercy in creation:

• A tree providing shade → God's protection

• A flowing stream → God's mercy washing over us

• A butterfly emerging → New life through God's love

• A sprouting plant → Renewal and forgiveness

• Afterward, have children draw or describe their favorite sign of mercy and talk about how God’s love is all around us.

  
  

5. Family & Community: The Mercy Mission Basket

To truly live out Divine Mercy, Montessori families can take part in a Mercy Mission Basket activity.

Materials:

• A small basket

• A list of Works of Mercy (feeding the hungry, comforting the sad, praying for others)

• Small items to give away (food for the poor, handmade cards for the sick, prayer notes)

Lesson:

1. Discuss how Jesus wants us to show mercy not just in words, but in action.

2. Let each child pick a Work of Mercy from the list.

3. Fill the basket together with small items to share with others (e.g., canned goods for a food pantry, letters for nursing home residents, etc.).

4. Pray together as a family and deliver the basket.

   
   

Making Divine Mercy a Way of Life

Divine Mercy Sunday is not just a one-day event—it’s an invitation to live a life filled with love, forgiveness, and trust in Jesus. Montessori education encourages experiential learning, and by integrating these activities into daily life, we help children not only understand but live Divine Mercy.

As families and educators, we are called to trust, love, and extend mercy—just as Jesus taught St. Faustina.

How does your family celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday? Share your traditions with us in the comments!