FDMC’s Divine Mercy on the Block

Under Propagation, the flagship activity aimed at the community level, is named“Divine Mercy on the Block”(DMOB). Similar to Block Rosary for Mama Mary, the DMOB is enthroning the Divine Mercy image from one house to another in a particular block of a community or barangay. The host family is encouraged to venerate the DM image by praying The Chaplet everyday. Devotional materials are given free to the family to educate them on the blessings of the Divine Mercy, and ultimately turn them into devotees. The DM image is transferred to another family on the same block after a week.

Every FDMC Chapter has a Divine Mercy on the Block Ministry to facilitate the weekly activity. A chapter may establish as many DMOBs in the communities near the venue of the prayer meetings.

The FDMC DMOB Story

It all began as a wishful thought of a faithful intercessor of FDMC Malabon in September 2004 — that if others have the Block Rosary for Mama Mary — why not have the same community-based approach for the Divine Mercy. Since then, the bright idea became a regular agenda in the monthly Servants’ meetings. Casual consultations were done with some of the lay preacher-friends of the Community regarding the mechanics and program.

October 2005, the FDMC chapters in Malabon, Villamor and Las Pinas launched the DMOB in selected communities near their prayer meeting venues. From then on, the DMOB has been one of the priority ministries in all the chapters, aimed basically to reach out to members who are not able to attend the weekly prayer meetings.

April 2007 – the ultimate gift of the DMOB was finally revealed to us. Through a handful of workers who are working overseas in Ho Chi Minh City, the Community was able to organize and conduct an outreach 1-day Spiritual Enhancement Seminar on 29 April 2007. However, it was clear struggle for the workers team to look at future growth opportunities after the seminar. 80% of the Filipino communities were all active workers of another Catholic Community. The Lord heard all our prayers — faithfully. By the end of the seminar proceedings, there is already a decision brewing from Bro. Rene. If the prospect of building a prayer meeting chapter is remote, there has to be a way to bring all the seminar participants together. And finally, the inspiration of introducing the DMOB came through like a ray of light.

That same night, the Divine Mercy image that we used in the seminar was brought home to the household of one of the graduates. The seminar team has gone back to Manila — only to receive email updates on how the Divine Mercy has blessed the homes and their families of everyone who has gladly received the Image. The DMOB has brought together all those who are faithful, regardless of their own religious affiliations.

The Vietnam Mission has led the Community to a stronger realization of a maturing Community Mission. The message for the Community is very clear - to focus on the road of the propagation of the Divine Mercy devotion more seriously. The DMOB is now one major growth area to bring more people to the faith.

By the creation of the Divine Mercy Apostolate in May 2007, the DMOB Ministry was relaunched community-wide as the flagship activity to reach out to more people by sharing the blessing of the Divine Mercy Devotion.

list of location as of 8 October 2007.

Each DM block is being supervised by the respective Divine Mercy on the Block Ministry of the Chapter.

Related topics:

• Friends Divine Mercy Apostolate
• Works of Mercy (Outreach)
• Miracles of God's Mercy