<P> The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy is a Roman Catholic shrine located in Stockbridge, Massachusetts . </P> <P> The priests and Roman Catholic and brothers of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary have resided on Eden Hill in Stockbridge, since June 1944 . Father Walter Pelczynski, MIC, with the assistance of local clergy and friends of the Marian community, initially purchased 50 of the 370 acres (1.5 km) that constituted the "Eden Hill" estate in November, 1943 . The house was to serve as the novitiate for a newly formed province . An image of "The Divine Mercy" was enshrined in one of the small chapels where the members of the community prayed daily a perpetual novena to the Divine Mercy . </P> <P> Pilgrims began to arrive the very next spring to celebrate the Feast of The Divine Mercy (just after Easter). By the end of World War II in 1945, pilgrims in growing numbers came to offer thanksgiving for graces received through the Divine Mercy message and devotion . They urged the Marians to build a shrine to Jesus, The Divine Mercy, as a votive of thanks . The Fathers decided to accede to the requests since there was also a need for a larger chapel to accommodate a growing community . </P>

National shrine of the divine mercy in stockbridge massachusetts