Pope Benedict's Divine Mercy Mandate by David Came

In David Came’s brief but persuasive book, he shares his discovery of “a papal program” for sharing God’s Divine Mercy with the world. Mr. Came traces the theme of Divine Mercy throughout the papal writings and addresses of John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, beginning with this statement from the first World Congress on Mercy in 2008:

Yes, dear friends, the first World Congress on Divine Mercy ended this morning with the Eucharistic Celebration in St. Peter’s Basilica. I thank the organizers, especially the Vicariate of Rome, and to all the participants I address my cordial greeting which now becomes a mandate: go forth and be witnesses of God’s mercy, a source of hope for every person and for the whole world. May the Risen Lord be with you always! (Regina Caeli message, April 6, 2008).

Mr. Came took this mandate seriously and the book gives overwhelming evidence for the urgency of this mandate. There are many instances of Pope Benedict XVI mentioning and invoking Divine Mercy for a world in desperate need of God’s divine and perfect love. The reader cannot help but be overwhelmed by all of the connections between Pope Benedict, John Paul II, and the evidence for their devotion to Divine Mercy.

A very helpful feature of this book are the sections entitled “Fulfilling the Mandate" which help the reader to put the information into the context of a daily relationship with Christ and people around us. In “Fulfilling the Mandate,” Mr. Came exhorts the reader to receive Divine Mercy, to focus on Jesus’ saving work in our own life, and to leave a legacy of Divine Mercy in the world. Jesus’ command of “go and do likewise” shines through so that the reader may be inspired and filled with grace in order to love all people unconditionally and graciously.

Pope Benedict’s Divine Mercy Mandate is a book full of information and nuggets of wisdom from the Catholic Church’s most recent popes. Mr. Came fulfills his mission of sharing his discovery of the papal program of witnessing to God’s mercy, and his enthusiasm is contagious. Surely, upon reading this book and reflecting on and receiving God’s Divine Mercy, you will never be the same.

This review was written as part of the Catholic Book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company . Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Pope Benedict’s Divine Mercy Mandate.