FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the namesake of our new parish, Divine Mercy?

A. In 1935, sister Mariah Faustina Kowalska — now Saint Faustina — received a vision of an angel sent by God to chastise a certain city. She began to pray for mercy, but her prayers were powerless. Suddenly she saw the Holy Trinity and felt the power of Jesus' grace within her. At the same time she found herself pleading with God for mercy with words she heard interiorly:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world; for the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us.
As she continued saying this inspired prayer, the angel became helpless and could not carry out the deserved punishment. The next day, as she was entering the chapel, she again heard this interior voice, instructing her how to recite the prayer that our Lord later called "the Chaplet." This time, after "have mercy on us" were added the words "and on the whole world". From then on, she recited this form of prayer almost constantly, offering it especially for the dying.
Please explore this website for more detailed information on God's grace expressed in Divine Mercy.

Q. How do I arrange for an audience with the Holy Father in Rome?

A. General audiences with His Holiness are usually held once a week, typically Wednesdays at 11 am, in the Vatican City. They may be held inside the Basilica itself or in the Hall of the Papal Audiences, the Aula Paolo VI. In the summer they are held in St. Peter's Square, or at the Pope's summer residence in the town of Castel Gandolfo.
Tickets are free of charge and can be obtained in person from the Office of the Prefettura della Casa Ponteficia, located on the north side of Piazza San Pietro (open 9 am-1 pm, Monday and Tuesday). You may also write in advance, in English, to the same office:

Prefettura della Casa Ponteficia
00120 Città del Vaticano
Fax: 011-39-06-6988-5378

Reservations must be confirmed in order for you to attend. Catholics are requested to have a letter of introduction from their parish priest. For the audience, and to visit St. Peter's Basilica, women should dress modestly, in dark or subdued colors, with arms and head covered. Men are asked to wear a tie and dark jacket. The pope also makes appearances at noon on Sundays in the library window to bless the crowd in St. Peter's Square.
Please follow these links for more detailed information and additional links: Request Papal Event Tickets and Papal Blessings.

Q. The weekly bulletin has mentioned the Catholic Faith Formation Center in Keene several times. Where is it located?

A. Here's the complete contact information for the Keene Catholic Faith Formation Center:

Clairvaux Center
161 Main Street, Suite 118
Keene, NH 03431
Anita Plourde, Director
Phone: (603) 352-7662
Fax: (603) 352-7662
E-Mail: cffc-keene@verizon.net

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Q. Where can I find a local store that carries a good variety of rosaries, statues, cards, books, candles, medals, etc.?

A. You may want to try Cathedral Church Goods, located on 316 Granite St., Manchester, NH 03102. Their regular phone is (603) 669-0011, their toll-free number is: (800) 257-3014.

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Directions: Take Rte. 101 to Manchester, then merge on to I-293 in Bedford (near Macy's) and take exit 5 = Granite Street. Turn left at the end of the ramp. The store is 2 blocks on left.