Let us make mercy our patroness now, and she will free us in the world to come. Yes, there is mercy in heaven but the road to it is paved by our merciful acts on earth. There is therefore, an earthly as well as a heavenly mercy. Human mercy has compassion on the miseries of the poor. Divine mercy grants forgiveness of sins. Whatever human mercy bestows here on earth, divine mercy will return to us in our Homeland . . . Yes, God who sees fit to give his mercy in heaven, wishes it to be a reality here on earth. What do you wish for, what do you pray for, my dear brothers and sisters, when you come to church? Is it mercy? How can it be anything else?
– St. Caesarius of Arles
