St. Margaret Mary Alocoque and Mercy With Teeth

Today is the Memorial of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the humble Visitation nun through whom the Lord revealed His Sacred Heart—a heart burning with love, wounded by sin, and overflowing with mercy.

St. Margaret Mary lived in a turbulent era. The Church in 17th-century France was marked by a rigorist spirit, particularly through the rise of Jansenism—a movement that distorted the faith by emphasizing fear, severity, and human unworthiness over divine mercy. Many of the faithful were led to believe that God’s justice left little room for love. People were discouraged from approaching the Eucharist, terrified of receiving unworthily. Even some bishops and priests forbade their parishioners to receive Communion, believing it safer to stay away from Christ than risk offending Him.

Into that fear, Jesus revealed His Heart to Sr. Margaret Mary—a Heart that beats not with condemnation, but with compassion. He did not deny sin or the need for repentance; rather, He showed that mercy is stronger than fear. His Sacred Heart burns with love for sinners and longs to heal, not to harm; to invite, not to intimidate.

The Lord’s revelation to St. Margaret Mary was, in its time, a form of “mercy with teeth.” It was not sentimental or permissive—it was courageous. It confronted a distorted image of God and called the Church back to the truth: that holiness flows from love, not terror; from trust, not despair. Divine Mercy does not erase justice—it fulfills it. The Sacred Heart is both pierced and powerful, tender yet strong, embracing humanity’s wounds while calling souls to conversion and deeper intimacy with Christ.

In a world that still wrestles with both extremes—either cheap grace or paralyzing fear—the message of the Sacred Heart remains urgent. Mercy with teeth is the mercy of that Heart: love that defends, heals, and restores, but also names sin and calls the sinner home.

May St. Margaret Mary teach us to approach the Lord’s Heart with confidence and awe, trusting that in His mercy we find both strength and salvation.

“Behold this Heart which has loved men so much…” — Our Lord to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

#mercywithteeth

My Book, True Mercy Has Teeth is available on Amazon or at www.mercywithteeth.com

Win a free Hardcopy Edition of True Mercy Has Teeth

To celebrate the upcoming launch of True Mercy Has Teeth, I’m hosting a little challenge for early readers who received one of the first editions of the paperback (Amazon and Barnes and Noble).

Somewhere in the book, there’s a small but funny typo that snuck past me — and let’s just say, it unintentionally makes me sound a bit too eager about something liturgical.

Here’s the deal:

If you can find the typo and tell me the page number,

AND you’ve left a review (on Amazon or B&N — just keep the typo out of the review),

You’ll win a signed hardcover copy of the book!

Only the first correct entry will win — so act fast. Just email or DM me with your find (the error and page number) and where you posted your review.

And if you’re still reading, know how grateful I am. This book is a labor of love, healing, and hope. Thank you for being part of its journey.

With mercy (and a little humor),

Fr. Todd

www.mercywithteeth.com

True Mercy Has Teeth

Dear friends in Christ,

After much prayer, reflection, and work, I’m honored to share with you of my soon to be released new book: True Mercy Has Teeth: A Catholic Journey to Forgiveness and Healing.

This book was born out of years of my own healing and through walking with people through deep wounds, betrayal, abuse, and confusion. It’s a response to the well-meaning but often cheap version of mercy that says “just forgive and forget,” while ignoring truth, justice, and the dignity of the human person.

Why “True Mercy Has Teeth”?

Because real mercy isn’t soft or sentimental.
True mercy is strong enough to name evil, to say no more, and to call us to healing that costs something.

Mercy, when rooted in Christ, does not enable sin or overlook injustice. It calls us to wholeness. It honors truth. It embraces the cross. And yes—sometimes mercy has teeth.

What You’ll Find Inside

• A Catholic theology of mercy that includes boundaries, truth, and justice

• Personal stories and pastoral insight into forgiveness after betrayal

• Guidance for survivors of abuse and deep relational wounds

• Reflections on how Christ models mercy that confronts and restores

• A call to discernment, healing, and authentic reconciliation

Who This Book Is For

• Those who have been deeply hurt and told to "just move on"

• Catholics seeking clarity on what real mercy looks like

• Counselors, spiritual directors, clergy, and ministry leaders

• Anyone trying to forgive without losing themselves

Available soon

The book will soon available in print through Lulu and Amazon including a kindle version.
You can learn more or join the mailing list here.

If you’ve ever struggled to forgive without losing your voice—or longed for justice without losing your soul—I pray this book brings you hope, truth, and healing in Christ.

In the Heart of the Good Shepherd,
Fr. Todd J. Petersen

5th Sunday Easter 2025 - New

Our Lord gives a new commandment, not one that is novel, but one that needs renewal. We wait for the day of the eternal new. #Catholic #homily #Scripture #GospelOfTheDay Sign up to have podcasts and blog posts emailed to you: https://ift.tt/aY6zgvC Give feedback at https://ift.tt/qgiNnhG Readings are found at https://ift.tt/Mw6XsSq
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4th Sunday Easter 2025 - Listen

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who still speaks to us, but we need to be silent to listen. #Catholic #homily #Scripture #GospelOfTheDay Sign up to have podcasts and blog posts emailed to you: https://ift.tt/bN6oqC9 Give feedback at https://ift.tt/1jrQ8yx Readings are found at https://ift.tt/9gp65Nz
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3rd Sunday Easter 2025 - Friends

Jesus appears a third time to some of the Apostles, and provides a breakfast for them. He restores Peter by asking some hard questions, and giving him a mission. The Lord is asking us the same question, and inviting us to be more that fans or followers. He calls us to be friends and family, and to show our love. #Catholic #homily #Scripture #GospelOfTheDay Sign up to have podcasts and blog posts emailed to you: https://ift.tt/HGocI9Q Give feedback at https://ift.tt/EgR6W0K Readings are found at https://ift.tt/5RMFB2z
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Divine Mercy Sunday 2025 - Community

Our Lord appears the the Apostles as they were gathered, all except one. He gathered them as a community. #Catholic #homily #Scripture #GospelOfTheDay Sign up to have podcasts and blog posts emailed to you: https://ift.tt/MkN3w9i Give feedback at https://ift.tt/Q1AbrnV Readings are found at https://ift.tt/NCKvlEb
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St. Faustina's Prayer to Be Merciful

 O Most Holy Trinity! As many times as I breathe, as many times as my heart beats, as many times as my blood pulsates through my body, so many thousand times do I want to glorify your mercy. I want to be completely transformed into your mercy and to be Your living reflection O Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of your unfathomable mercy pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor. Help me O Lord that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors souls and come to their rescue. Help me O Lord that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings. Help me O Lord that my tongue may be merciful so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all. Help me O Lord that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon my self the more difficult and toilsome tasks. Help me O Lord that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor. Help me O Lord that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May your mercy O Lord rest upon me. You yourself command me to exercise the three degrees of mercy. The first; the act of mercy of whatever kind. The second; the word of mercy – if I cannot carry out a work of mercy, I will assist by my words. The third; prayer – if I cannot show mercy by deeds or words, I can always do so by prayer. My prayer reaches out even there where I cannot reach out physically. O my Jesus, transform me into yourself, for you can do all things.

Vigil Of The Lords Resurrection 2025 - Given

Christ, in His resurrection, has given everything. How can we return it to Him. #Catholic #homily #Scripture #GospelOfTheDay Sign up to have podcasts and blog posts emailed to you: https://ift.tt/GvZFeUS Give feedback at https://ift.tt/vTf9D0L Readings are found at https://ift.tt/6tm28eI
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Easter Sunday 2025 - Given

Christ, in His resurrection, has given everything. How can we return it to Him. #Catholic #homily #Scripture #GospelOfTheDay Sign up to have podcasts and blog posts emailed to you: https://ift.tt/oJ8MpU7 Give feedback at https://ift.tt/Y7fHtaF Readings are found at https://ift.tt/6tm28eI
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Easter Sequence

 Christians, to the Paschal Victim 

Offer your thankful praises! 

A Lamb the sheep redeems; 

Christ, who only is sinless, 

Reconciles sinners to the Father. 

Death and life have contended 

in that combat stupendous: 

The Prince of life, 

who died, reigns immortal. 

Speak, Mary, declaring

What you saw, wayfaring.

"The tomb of Christ, who is living, 

The glory of Jesus' resurrection; 

bright angels attesting, 

The shroud and napkin resting. 

Yes, Christ my hope is arisen; 

to Galilee he goes before you." 

Christ indeed from death is risen, 

our new life obtaining. 

Have mercy, victor King, 

ever reigning! Amen. Alleluia.

Vigil Of The Lords Resurrection 2025 - Given

Jesus Christ is raised, and gives the greatest gift of eternal life. How can we thank Him, as everything we have and are is His gift? Our faith. #Catholic #homily #Scripture #GospelOfTheDay Sign up to have podcasts and blog posts emailed to you: https://ift.tt/oJ8MpU7 Give feedback at https://ift.tt/Y7fHtaF Readings are found at https://ift.tt/CBdu8iv
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Exultet

 Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven,

exult, let Angel ministers of God exult,
let the trumpet of salvation
sound aloud our mighty King's triumph!

Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her,
ablaze with light from her eternal King,
let all corners of the earth be glad,
knowing an end to gloom and darkness.

Rejoice, let Mother Church also rejoice,
arrayed with the lightning of his glory,
let this holy building shake with joy,
filled with the mighty voices of the peoples.

(Therefore, dearest friends,
standing in the awesome glory of this holy light,
invoke with me, I ask you,
the mercy of God almighty,
that he, who has been pleased to number me,
though unworthy, among the Levites,
may pour into me his light unshadowed,
that I may sing this candle's perfect praises.)

(V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.)
V. Lift up your hearts.
R. We lift them up to the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
R. It is right and just.

 

It is truly right and just, with ardent love of mind and heart
and with devoted service of our voice,
to acclaim our God invisible, the almighty Father,
and Jesus Christ, our Lord, his Son, his Only Begotten.

Who for our sake paid Adam's debt to the eternal Father,
and, pouring out his own dear Blood,
wiped clean the record of our ancient sinfulness.

These, then, are the feasts of Passover,
in which is slain the Lamb, the one true Lamb,
whose Blood anoints the doorposts of believers.

This is the night,
when once you led our forebears, Israel's children,
from slavery in Egypt
and made them pass dry-shod through the Red Sea.

This is the night
that with a pillar of fire
banished the darkness of sin.

This is the night
that even now, throughout the world,
sets Christian believers apart from worldly vices
and from the gloom of sin,
leading them to grace
and joining them to his holy ones.

This is the night,
when Christ broke the prison-bars of death
and rose victorious from the underworld.

Our birth would have been no gain,
had we not been redeemed.

O wonder of your humble care for us!
O love, O charity beyond all telling,
to ransom a slave you gave away your Son!
O truly necessary sin of Adam,
destroyed completely by the Death of Christ!
O happy fault
that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer!

O truly blessed night,
worthy alone to know the time and hour
when Christ rose from the underworld!

This is the night
of which it is written:
The night shall be as bright as day,
dazzling is the night for me,
and full of gladness.

The sanctifying power of this night
dispels wickedness, washes faults away,
restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to mourners,
drives out hatred, fosters concord, and brings down the mighty.  
On this, your night of grace, O holy Father,
accept this candle, a solemn offering,
the work of bees and of your servants’ hands,
an evening sacrifice of praise,
this gift from your most holy Church.

But now we know the praises of this pillar,
which glowing fire ignites for God's honor,
a fire into many flames divided,
yet never dimmed by sharing of its light,
for it is fed by melting wax,
drawn out by mother bees
to build a torch so precious.

O truly blessed night,
when things of heaven are wed to those of earth,
and divine to the human.

Therefore, O Lord,
we pray you that this candle,
hallowed to the honor of your name,
may persevere undimmed,
to overcome the darkness of this night.

Receive it as a pleasing fragrance,
and let it mingle with the lights of heaven.

May this flame be found still burning
by the Morning Star:
the one Morning Star who never sets,
Christ your Son,
who, coming back from death's domain,
has shed his peaceful light on humanity,
and lives and reigns for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

Excerpt from the English translation of the Roman Missal© 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved

Office of Readings for Holy Saturday

From the Office of Readings for Holy Saturday: Something strange is happening—there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear. He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: ‘My Lord be with you all.’ Christ answered him: ‘And with your spirit.’ He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: ‘Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.’ I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated. For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden. See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree. I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you. Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.

Second Day of Divine Mercy Novena

 

Second Day:

Today bring to Me THE SOULS OF PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind.

Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service,* that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard—upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.

First Day of Divine Mercy Novena

 

First Day:

Today bring to Me ALL MANKIND, ESPECIALLY ALL SINNERS, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me.

Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.

How to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

How to Recite the Chaplet

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is recited using ordinary Rosary beads of five decades. The Chaplet is preceded by two opening prayers from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska and followed by a closing prayer.

---

1. Make the Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. Optional Opening Prayers

St. Faustina’s Prayer for Sinners
O Jesus, eternal Truth, our Life, I call upon You and I beg Your mercy for poor sinners. O sweetest Heart of my Lord, full of pity and unfathomable mercy, I plead with You for poor sinners. O Most Sacred Heart, Fount of Mercy from which gush forth rays of inconceivable graces upon the entire human race, I beg of You light for poor sinners. O Jesus, be mindful of Your own bitter Passion and do not permit the loss of souls redeemed at so dear a price of Your most precious Blood. O Jesus, when I consider the great price of Your Blood, I rejoice at its immensity, for one drop alone would have been enough for the salvation of all sinners. Although sin is an abyss of wickedness and ingratitude, the price paid for us can never be equalled. Therefore, let every soul trust in the Passion of the Lord, and place its hope in His mercy. God will not deny His mercy to anyone. Heaven and earth may change, but God's mercy will never be exhausted. Oh, what immense joy burns in my heart when I contemplate Your incomprehensible goodness, O Jesus! I desire to bring all sinners to Your feet that they may glorify Your mercy throughout endless ages (Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 72).

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

(Repeat three times)
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!

3. Our Father

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.

4. Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

5. The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

6. The Eternal Father

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.

7. On the 10 Small Beads of Each Decade

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

8. Repeat for the remaining decades

Saying the "Eternal Father" (6) on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (7) on the following "Hail Mary" beads.

9. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times)

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

10. Optional Closing Prayers

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

O Greatly Merciful God, Infinite Goodness, today all mankind calls out from the abyss of its misery to Your mercy — to Your compassion, O God; and it is with its mighty voice of misery that it cries out. Gracious God, do not reject the prayer of this earth's exiles! O Lord, Goodness beyond our understanding, Who are acquainted with our misery through and through, and know that by our own power we cannot ascend to You, we implore You: anticipate us with Your grace and keep on increasing Your mercy in us, that we may faithfully do Your holy will all through our life and at death's hour. Let the omnipotence of Your mercy shield us from the darts of our salvation’s enemies, that we may with confidence, as Your children, await Your [Son’s] final coming — that day known to You alone. And we expect to obtain everything promised us by Jesus in spite of all our wretchedness. For Jesus is our Hope: through His merciful Heart, as through an open gate, we pass through to heaven (Diary, 1570).

Holy Thursday 2025 - Mystery

Jesus Christ gave three mysteries at the Last Supper, the Mystery of Charity, the mystery of the priesthood, and the Mystery of the Eucharist. These great gifts are beyond our full understanding. #Catholic #homily #Scripture #GospelOfTheDay Sign up to have podcasts and blog posts emailed to you: https://ift.tt/CndRV0J Give feedback at https://ift.tt/byQjRq6 Readings are found at https://ift.tt/uHCoT2l
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Passion Sunday 2025 - Mercy

St. Luke's account of the Passion of our Lord Jesus contains some details around the theme of mercy and forgiveness. Even as He was offering His life for us, Jesus was showing mercy, and may He have mercy on us for our sins. #Catholic #homily #Scripture #GospelOfTheDay Sign up to have podcasts and blog posts emailed to you: https://ift.tt/AgekzZm Give feedback at https://ift.tt/j6lvIyo Readings are found at https://ift.tt/16YUXiR
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5th Sunday Lent 2025 - Forgiven

The scribes and pharisees bring forward a woman caught in the act of adultery, and attempt to trap Jesus in asking if she should be put to death. He responds with an act of mercy, showing forgiveness. We, too, are like that woman caught in sin, but when we come to Christ, we can be forgiven. #Catholic #homily #Scripture #GospelOfTheDay Sign up to have podcasts and blog posts emailed to you: https://ift.tt/XAThEM8 Give feedback at https://ift.tt/n6bVO5Q Readings are found at https://ift.tt/jp5YRPO
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