What echoes in our minds when we hear the word mercy? Weakness, suffering, vulnerability, perhaps forgiveness after failure. Yet in Vilnius, mercy revealed another face: a mystery of encounter that restores humanity, rekindles hope, and gathers people beyond borders, languages and histories. It was in this spirit that sisters and young adults from the Province of Europe of the Religious of the Assumption from England, Belgium, Italy and Lithuania took part in the 6th World Apostolic Congress on Divine Mercy under the theme: Building the city of Mercy.
Vilnius: The City of Divine Mercy
There could hardly be a more fitting place for such a gathering than Lithuania. Its capital, Vilnius, occupies a unique place in the history of Divine Mercy. It was here that St Faustina Kowalska received revelations entrusted to the Church for the modern world, and here that the first image of the Merciful Jesus was designed under her guidance as revealed in visions by Jesus. From this city emerged the principal expressions of Divine Mercy devotion: the Chaplet, the Divine Mercy Image, the Feast of Divine Mercy, the Hour of Mercy, and the Novena.
Walking through Vilnius during the Congress was like entering a living memory of faith and resilience. Pilgrims encountered not only sacred sites but also the story of a people whose faith survived decades of war and Soviet oppression. Among the memorable encounter for the Assumption delegates was Cardinal Sigitas Tamkevičius, who as a young priest launched the underground Chronicle of the Catholic Church in Lithuania in 1972 to document religious persecution. For this courageous witness, he was arrested by the Soviet authorities and sentenced to imprisonment and exile. His presence reminded participants that mercy does not erase suffering but gives the strength to endure it.
An Experience of Church and Fraternity
For many participants, the Congress became much more than a pilgrimage. It was an experience of fraternity, hospitality and renewal. Sr Cathy spoke of the joy of being welcomed into the newly renovated Assumption community in Vilnius. Returning each evening after the long days of the Congress, the convent became a place of rest, friendship and belonging.
Sr Cécile described the Congress as "a beautiful experience of the Church in all its richness, manifesting the merciful love of God." The Eucharistic procession through the streets of Vilnius on the opening day, together with the conferences, workshops and testimonies, offered a deeper understanding of the transforming power of mercy. Through the beauty of the liturgies and sacred music, she felt drawn into the soul of Lithuania and returned home with a heart "filled and revitalised."
Mercy That Unites and Transforms
The young adults also experienced the Congress as a moment of spiritual growth. Amy described it as "deeply moving, spiritually enriching and meaningful." Through prayer, praise and worship, she discovered anew that mercy is not only a gift received from God but also a call to share forgiveness, compassion and kindness with others. Renato was particularly touched by the people he met throughout the pilgrimage and by testimonies that resonated with his own life experience, while the presentations on St Faustina and the Divine Mercy image deepened his appreciation of the message.
Rebecca highlighted the powerful reminder that God's mercy surpasses all human weakness. Reflecting on a quotation from St Thérèse of Lisieux, she was struck by the conviction that even the greatest sins are insignificant compared to the immensity of God's mercy. Through the gift of Reconciliation, she reflected, God continually offers forgiveness, healing and hope.
For Sr Josephrita, one of the strongest impressions of the Congress was the unity created by faith. Beyond differences of language, culture and nationality, participants experienced themselves as one people of God. This spirit of communion became especially visible in the liturgies celebrated throughout the Congress.
Standing in Solidarity with Ukraine
One image remains particularly striking. During evening Masses celebrated in different languages in particular Churches, surprisingly the churches were filled to capacity where the Ukrainian rite took place. Many participants emotionally they understood nothing of the language but they had chosen to attend the Ukraine masses as a gesture of solidarity with the suffering people of Ukraine.
Among the testimonies that left a profound impression participants was that of Tetiana Stawnychy, President of Caritas Ukraine. Speaking of lives shattered, homes destroyed and communities devastated by war, Ukrainians nevertheless bore witness to a hope that remains alive. Even amid destruction, she said, God's mercy continues to sustain them, helping them to persevere, support one another and believe that light can still emerge from darkness. Her words became a powerful reminder that mercy is not an abstract idea but a force capable of sustaining hope in the most difficult circumstances.
Sent Forth as Witnesses of Mercy
As the Congress drew to a close, participants began to leave Vilnius carrying more than memories of conferences, sacred sites and celebrations. They departed renewed in their conviction that mercy is not simply a devotion or a spiritual theme. It is a way of living, a force capable of transforming hearts, rebuilding relationships and sustaining hope even amid suffering. Sr Agnes simply expressed her gratitude to the Lord for the many graces received during these days: the opportunity to pray, to meet pilgrims from different countries, and to witness the living reality of Divine Mercy in the Church today.
In the city where the message of Divine Mercy first took visible form, pilgrims encountered once again the deep and enduring truth of the human person that mercy remains one of God's greatest gifts to humanity and one of the Church's most urgent missions today.
A civilization of mercy is built whenever compassion becomes a way of life!
Assumption Pilgrims in Vilnius