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From stories of healing and perseverance through suffering to powerful testimonies of vocation and mission, the fourth day of the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy in Vilnius focused on the life-changing power of prayer and trust in God's mercy.
The fourth day of the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy brought together speakers from around the world who shared personal experiences of how prayer opens hearts to God's mercy, sustains people through life's greatest trials, and inspires them to serve others.
Participants heard from theologian Dr. Donna Orsuto of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, the Kissel family from the United States, Indonesian Divine Mercy apostolate coordinator Cynthia Leowardy, Missionary of Mercy Fr. Pasqualino di Dio from Italy, and Marian priest Fr. Chris Alar, MIC.
Opening the day, Missionary of Mercy Fr. Michel Remery of the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication encouraged attendees not to keep the gift of Divine Mercy to themselves.
Drawing on an everyday example, he noted that people naturally share a great recipe or recommend an excellent restaurant to others.
"Today here in Vilnius, we want to share the best news with the whole world," he said. "All of you are missionaries of God's mercy."
He reminded participants that prayer reaches places where human efforts cannot.
"Prayer can reach wherever our feet, nor our words, nor our works can reach," Fr. Remery said. "Prayer goes everywhere and to everyone."
Mercy Begins with an Encounter
In her keynote address, Mercy and Prayer, Dr. Donna Orsuto reflected on the struggles many people experience in prayer.
"Many people do not stop praying because they stop believing in God," she said. "They stop praying because they are tired. They stop praying because they are distracted. They stop praying because they wonder whether prayer makes a difference."
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Yet the very desire to pray, she explained, is often a sign of God's presence.
"Prayer is not first of all a task to be accomplished. It is a relationship to be nurtured," she said. "A God who comes to us first, who reaches out to us with mercy and compassion, and who waits in love for us to return."
Drawing on the Gospel account of the woman caught in adultery, Dr. Orsuto emphasized that prayer begins not with our words, but with allowing God to look upon us with mercy.
"The first movement of prayer is letting God look at us," she said. "It's not about what we say. It's about letting ourselves be looked at by Mercy."
Authentic prayer, she added, transforms believers into witnesses and intercessors for others. Quoting St. Teresa of Ávila, she reminded participants that prayer is ultimately friendship with God: a friendship that naturally leads to love of neighbor.
Finding Hope Through Suffering
One of the day's most moving testimonies came from the Kissel family of the United States, who joined the congress through a recorded video message.
David and Kristy Kissel shared the story of their son Carson, who lives with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare genetic disorder that causes the skin to tear and blister from even the slightest friction. Two of their three sons have been diagnosed with the disease.
"When we first received this diagnosis, we were completely broken," David Kissel recalled. "We were devastated, confused, and we cried out to God asking: 'Why? Why Carson? Why our family?'"
During that difficult period, the family discovered the Diary of St. Faustina and the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
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"We started reading about Jesus' infinite mercy and His message that human suffering is not meaningless if we unite it with His suffering on the cross," David said.
The Chaplet eventually became central to Carson's life. Today he leads online prayer broadcasts through his social media ministry, Praying with Carson, reaching people around the world.
"I love praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy," Carson said. "I want everyone to know how much Jesus loves them and how merciful He is."
The family shared that while they continue to pray for physical healing, they have witnessed countless spiritual healings through Carson's witness of faith and joy.
"We have seen true miracles of the heart," Kristy Kissel said. "The spiritual healing he has brought to thousands of people around the world is a profound miracle in itself."
They concluded their testimony with the words that have become the hallmark of the Divine Mercy message: "Jesus, I trust in You."
The Power of the Divine Mercy Chaplet
Cynthia Leowardy, coordinator of the Divine Mercy Apostolate in Indonesia, also shared a personal testimony about the power of prayer.
Her journey began in 1993 while living in Singapore, when doctors discovered a lump in her breast and scheduled a biopsy. During that time, her aunt introduced her to the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
After a week of prayer, Eucharistic adoration, and daily Mass, she returned for a follow-up appointment.
"When the doctor checked me again, he could not find the lump anymore," she recalled. "He was surprised. I didn't need to have any biopsy. Praise the Lord: till today I am healthy."
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Years later, after moving to Canada, Leowardy faced another difficult trial when her youngest daughter developed anorexia. At the same time, she felt God calling her back to Indonesia for a mission connected with spreading the Divine Mercy devotion.
There she met Fr. Marcelinus, a priest suffering from a serious illness after doctors had exhausted treatment options. Leowardy encouraged him to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and join her in a Divine Mercy novena.
"Please don't be sad, because we have a very powerful prayer. Jesus will heal you," she told him.
Within days, his health began to improve significantly, allowing him to resume his priestly ministry. That experience eventually led to the introduction and expansion of Divine Mercy Sunday celebrations in his diocese and beyond.
Leowardy also shared how her husband's support for her missionary work grew after witnessing improvements in their daughter's condition. Together, these experiences deepened their trust in God's providence and strengthened the growth of the Divine Mercy apostolate throughout Indonesia.
Mercy Must Become Service
Italian Missionary of Mercy Fr. Pasqualino di Dio reflected on his ministry among the poor, the homeless, and the sick.
He emphasized that Divine Mercy is not merely a theological concept but a living reality that reaches people in their suffering and restores hope.
"God forgives. God loves. It heals our future," he said.
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Fr. Pasqualino challenged participants not to stop at receiving God's forgiveness but to allow that experience to become concrete service to others.
"Please remember that God forgives," he said. "But don't just stop there. Find the strength and joy in taking care of others out in the world."
He concluded by inviting the assembly to place their trust completely in God's mercy, leading participants in the prayer: "Jesus, I trust in You."
"Mankind Will Not Have Peace"
The final presentation of the day was delivered by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, provincial superior of the Marian Fathers in the United States and author of several bestselling books on Divine Mercy.
Fr. Alar stressed that mercy is not merely one attribute among many, but the defining expression of God's love.
"What is Divine Mercy?" he asked. "Love in action. God doing something about your pain, my pain, our suffering. That is Divine Mercy."
Reflecting on the original Divine Mercy image painted in Vilnius by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski in 1934, Fr. Alar spoke about its significance for the worldwide Divine Mercy devotion and highlighted research comparing the image to the Shroud of Turin.
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He also shared the personal story that ultimately led him to the priesthood.
Before becoming a priest, Alar worked as an engineer, owned a business, and was engaged to be married. Everything changed after the suicide of his grandmother.
"I thought she was lost. I thought she was in hell," he said.
Discovering the Divine Mercy message transformed his understanding of God's mercy and the mystery of salvation.
"When I realized this, it changed my life," he said. "I gave up my business. I gave up my engagement. And I became a priest to spread this message."
Concluding his address, Fr. Alar recalled Jesus' words to St. Faustina, which continue to resonate around the world today:
"Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy."