The Hour of Great Mercy, By Roger Behra

SHORT COMMUNICATION 77

The Hour of Great Mercy

By

Roger Behra

In a booklet of prayers mostly used by Catholics (and others, perhaps), there is a particular prayer called “The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy.” This particular prayer was given to Sister Faustina in the 1930’s. It is called the Hour of Great Mercy. It is easy to say this prayer from memory.

The prayer asks the praying person to do three things during the 3 P.M. hour on any given day, as follows:

1. Implore God’s mercy especially for sinners.
2. For a brief moment (or longer if desired) be steeped (soaked) in God’s Passion, particularly at the moment of His agony.
3. Make a personal request of God in virtue of His Passion and death on the Cross. God promises not to refuse any request made of Him in virtue of His passion during the 3 P.M. hour.

On January 14, 2009, Mr. Fred Barretta came across his booklet of prayers as he was cleaning out his briefcase. He had not said the 3 o’clock hour prayer in a long time, so he said it again on that day. He did not know that on the next day he would need God’s help and for God to keep his prayer promise in a very big way.

As many of you have heard or read, Flight 1549 got into very serious trouble shortly after takeoff on January 15, 2009. The plane hit a large flight of geese, and both engines were disabled. Flight 1549 was going to crash land over a very large populated area immediately.

As the plane became quiet and lost altitude, Fred knew his end was approaching very quickly. He looked at his watch. It was 3:30 P.M. It was the hour of great mercy. Quickly, Fred said “The Chaplet of the Divine mercy” and asked God for his help. Fred needed God’s help right at the very moment.

Seconds later Flight 1549 made a miraculous landing on the Hudson River. The plane did not disintegrate and scatter it’s parts and the passengers into the cold river water. With only a few injuries on board, everyone was rescued to live another day.

Without a doubt Fred’s prayer during the 3 o’clock hour was the great contributing factor. God kept His promise. He granted Fred’s prayer request in virtue of His passion and death on the cross. Historical records tell us that all similar water crash landings ended in disasters.

If you do not believe in miracles, then, you should. If you do believe in miracles and God’s great mercy, then, you saw or heard about one happening on January 15,
2009, on the Hudson River.

Thank you dear Lord and Savior! Thank You so very much!

R. B.
05/29/09