By Anne DiBernardo - Florida Catholic
Photographer: ANNE DIBERNARDO | FC
Visitors to the House of Prayer of Divine Mercy in Miami are immediately welcomed by a life-size replica of the Divine Mercy image and altar found in the main chapel of the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Krakow. Located at 2300 S.W. 67 Ave. in Miami, the house is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed whenever the house is open.
MIAMI - Deacon Rafael de los Reyes was not a fan of religious devotions.
In fact, when he first heard of the Divine Mercy devotion, he says he did not want anything to do with it. But in 1999, as a birthday present to his wife, Dulcita, he agreed to go on a pilgrimage to Krakow, Poland, home of the Shrine of Divine Mercy.
"I was touched by the Lord's grace," Deacon de los Reyes said. "That is the only way to explain how things come about and how they are in my heart. It is grace."
Since then, he has visited the Polish shrine every year. After the third trip, in 2001, Archbishop John C. Favalora appointed Deacon de los Reyes as spiritual director of the archdiocesan apostolate of Divine Mercy.
Photographer: ANNE DIBERNARDO | FC
A relic and image of Sister Faustina are prominently displayed at the House of Prayer of Divine Mercy.
"I started reading Sister Faustina's diary and the more I read, the more I was touched with grace," said Deacon de los Reyes, who also serves as the spiritual director of the Hispanic Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
The apostolate currently makes its home in an old two-story house located at 2300 S.W. 67 Ave., Miami. The home is situated off a gravel driveway about 100 yards from the street, so it can be easily overlooked.
But once visitors step over the threshold, they may as well be in Poland, as they are immediately welcomed by a life-size replica of the Divine Mercy image and altar found in the main chapel of the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Krakow. Upstairs is another chapel which houses a tabernacle flanked by images of the Divine Mercy and of St. Faustina.
"Someone is always present during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament," said Deacon de los Reyes. "Sunday is a very special day, the Lord's day. During the holy hour, the place is always filled with people."
An intercessory prayer group in Spanish meets Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. and another prayer group in Spanish meets Wednesday evenings at 8 p.m.
"We also meet twice monthly in two Spanish-speaking spiritual growth groups and are looking forward to starting another one in English," Deacon de los Reyes said.
He added that if enough English-speaking people are present, he will be more than happy to recite prayers and conduct reflections in English.
In fact, he would like to make English-speaking Catholics more aware of the house of prayer and of the retreats and conferences hosted throughout the year by the apostolate.
"We always try to bring in English- and Spanish-speaking sisters from Poland and from their convent in Boston," Deacon de los Reyes said. "If speakers are English-speaking, there is a translation in Spanish and vice versa. Currently, they are equipped to accommodate 80 headphones and transmitters. And all events are bilingual."
The apostolate is operated by volunteers and funded by people who give monthly donations, as well as the proceeds from the annual conference and other events.
"One of the concerns we have about staying here is that we are renting and could be asked to move anytime. Presently, we are looking for a small and affordable property to purchase," he said. "Our ultimate goal is to build a sanctuary for pilgrims to flock to as an alternative to Poland and Boston."
Deacon de los Reyes said he envisions a site large enough to house a small convent, a retreat house, and a conference center that can accommodate as many as 2,000 people, enough for gatherings of the numerous movements, apostolates and communities in the archdiocese, as well as other pastoral events.
THE DEVOTION
� The Devotion of the Divine Mercy consists of several expressions as revealed by Jesus to St. Faustina:
� Veneration of the image of the Divine Mercy as described in St. Faustina�s diary;
� Praying of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3 p. m., the �hour of mercy� as put forth in the diary;
� Saying the novena of Divine Mercy; this traditionally begins on Good Friday and concludes the first Sunday after Easter, which is designated by the Church as the feast of Divine Mercy.
THE SCHEDULE
� The House of Prayer of Divine Mercy, 2300 S.W. 67 Ave., Miami, is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
� The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is recited each day at 3 p.m. and on Sundays, at the �hour of mercy,� there is a holy hour with reflections on the Passion of the Lord.
� Visitors are encouraged to keep company with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, which is exposed seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
� For information call 305-267-9061 or e-mail [email protected].
