Catholics team up to spread devotion of Jesus’ Divine Mercy to all who drive through their communities

By ANDREW HANSEN
      Editor

Taking a drive in the country in Central Illinois, it’s common to see signs advertising for agriculture companies or billboards promoting a local insurance salesman. What’s not common is seeing a large image of Divine Mercy, but that’s what you’ll see when driving along Route 29 in Athens, or Route 123 in Petersburg, or the Athens Blacktop in Petersburg, or five other locations in the area. These 4 feet by 8 feet signs of the Divine Mercy image are not just random placements by Catholics. Instead, they represent  a campaign by dedicated parishioners at Holy Family Church in Athens and St. Peter Church in Petersburg.

The inspiration for how all these signs started popping up, as well as dozens of yard signs in people’s front yards, started two years ago. That’s when Tom and Deb Walsh of Holy Family Church purchased a framed picture of Divine Mercy. The image was placed in the church and was venerated during Divine Mercy Sunday (always the Sunday after Easter). A year later, Carol Muller and a group of parishioners at St. Peter Church in Petersburg spearheaded the same project for their church. To inspire and familiarize parishioners at St. Peter Church about Divine Mercy, the Rosary Committee there also started praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet before weekend Masses instead of the rosary during Lent.  

Shortly after that, Kay and Ken Tasset of Holy Family Church, were taking a road trip to Kansas City and saw a Divine Mercy sign along the roadway. 

“I had a burden on my heart and was inspired to have a large road sign in the Athens area,” Tasset said. “So, in January this year, our Bible Study and our Pastoral Council talked about having a Divine Mercy yard sign project during Lent.”

So, those groups asked their pastor, Father Maurice Yonta, SAC (who pastors both churches) and Muller  to see if a team effort between the two churches could make it happen. A Divine Mercy Committee was then formed which included Tasset and her husband, Ken, Father Yonta, Deacon Ben Hoefler and his wife, Leona, Carol and Chuck Muller, and Tom and Debbie Walsh. The committee discussed the different images they saw on-line, and then contacted the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Stockbridge, Mass., for permission to use an image. They filled out an application and received approval from the Marian Fathers which included the copyright and permission guidelines for the image. In March, the group then ordered 100 yard signs (50 for each parish) with metal stakes to secure them into the ground. 

“We wanted to spread the word as soon as possible and do it before Divine Mercy Sunday,” Tasset said. “Then, we started talking about getting one large 4 feet by 8 feet road sign located somewhere in our area before Divine Mercy Sunday. Father Yonta suggested placing it on the Holy Family Church property. We received permission from the City of Athens. We were excited and the construction crew developed a plan to make such a sign.” 

The Divine Mercy image depicts Jesus with rays of red and white light emanating from His heart, symbolizing the blood and water poured out for humanity’s sins, accompanied by the phrase “Jesus, I trust in You.” The Divine Mercy image was created in 1934 under the guidance of St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who had visions of Jesus.

“At first, we were hesitant (to go forward with the project) considering the time, cost, and legal responsibility,” Tasset said. “We contacted the Office for Buildings, Grounds and Cemeteries at the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois for advice and then talked to Father Maurice who encouraged us to have a pulpit talk after Mass and tell the parishioners what we were proposing. We received a positive response from parishioners. The committee then had a goal of one sign on all the major highways surrounding the Athens/Petersburg area, which would entail about six signs. One of our parishioners stepped forward after the pulpit talk and said we could place a sign on his property on the west side of Athens. We created a packet of information for interested landowners explaining Divine Mercy and our Lord’s request to venerate the image created by St. Faustina. Included in the packet was the cost to construct a sign, picture of the image on a mocked-up sign, and a letter from Father Yonta to potential sponsors of a Divine Mercy sign.”

The group then worked with a local printer and received a proof of the Divine Mercy image for yard signs and the larger road signs. Along with the image, the signs also included the approval of the Marion Fathers as well as the parish names.

“By putting our parish names on the sign, we want to grow our church size and want people to know who is sponsoring this project and invite them to attend our parishes,” Tasset said.

Now, dozens of the yard signs can be seen in front yards in both communities as well as eight large signs in prominent locations along rural highways and the two churches, among other properties. In terms of the cost, the committee simply asks for donations.

“The sky is the limit for placing more signs around our area, and we want the whole world to know about Divine Mercy or at least in our diocese,” Tasset said. “We have a prospective location on I-55 north and south of Springfield, and we are looking for potential locations on I-72 east and west of Springfield. We will help anyone get a sign for their church or in their area. We can show them the necessary steps they need to follow. We are developing a packet of information so others can get signs up in their area.”

So far, the reaction from people who see the signs has been profound. Here are some examples:

“Whoever put the Jesus sign on Jackson Street, the kids loved it” (on Facebook).

“Every time I drive by the Divine Mercy sign, I take a deep breath and say to myself, ‘I can get through this’” (from a parishioner).

“Look! There’s Jesus!” (from a child in the back seat of his grandmother’s car).

“When I drive by the Divine Mercy sign, it gives me peace and hope” (from a parishioner).  

Tasset says even a good Lutheran friend and supporter gave them permission to install the Divine Mercy sign on his property on Rt. 29 right outside the main entrance to the city of Athens which is visible to north and south bound traffic. He told her, “If a Lutheran supports this project, everyone should.”

“All of the committee members have read all or part of St Faustina’s diary,” Tasset said. “Our Lord’s words have pierced our committee’s hearts. His words are so strong when you read the Diary of St. Faustina.”  

Anyone interested in this project can call the parish office at (217) 632-7118, and Tasset says she will get back to them. You can also financially help the project by sending a donation to Holy Family or St. Peter Church, memo: Divine Mercy Project (711 South 6th Street, Petersburg, IL, 62675).