The Second Sunday of Easter is also known as Divine Mercy Sunday. To ensure that Catholics would observe this day with special devotion, St. (Pope) John Paul II enriched this day with a plenary indulgence and directed that priests should promote this devotion among the faithful. An indulgence is a remission before God of temporal punishment due to sin. On Divine Mercy Sunday, a plenary indulgence (a total remission of temporal punishment) is granted to the faithful who:
1. go to Confession (within 20 days),
2. receive Holy Communion,
3. pray for the intentions of the Holy Father,
4. take part in the parish prayers and devotions held in honour of the Divine Mercy on this day, and
5. have no attachment to sin. The Divine Mercy devotion originate with Sister Faustina Kowalska who had a vision of the Divine Mercy and received special promises from Jesus.