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About Divine Mercy Eucharistic Society (DMES)
The Divine Mercy Eucharistic Society ("DMES" or "Society") is a community of Divine Mercy devotees dedicated to promoting the comforting and powerful message of Divine Mercy revealed by Our Lord Jesus to St. Faustina through annual conferences, retreats, and formation programs.
Adjacent to our El Cerrito office and center is our Divine Mercy Perpetual Adoration Chapel which is the source of our strength and inspiration. We assist in deepening peoples' spiritual lives by providing them with the adoration chapel 24 hours / 7 days a week to have a life-changing encounter with the risen Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and thus be more effective in their Christian witness.
Prayer without works is not complete. We opened Mary's House of Mercy, a home for single pregnant women in crisis, to provide the women their basic needs, an atmosphere of a family home, and help develop their skills to become a self-sufficient and nurturing parent.
We carry on all our inspired tasks through God's providence with faith, perseverance, love, and trust in God. The Divine Mercy message is simple, yet powerful -- "Jesus, I trust in you." Trust is the essence of the Divine Mercy message.
The Divine Mercy Eucharistic Society was founded in the Diocese of Oakland, California, in 1990. The society is a member of the World Apostolic Congress on mercy in Rome.
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Origin of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
St. John Neumann, though small in stature, was great in his accomplishments. Among the most notable was the initiation of the 40 hours devotion in the United States. While many priests cautioned him against starting the devotion in fear that it would inflame anti- Catholic sentiment, St. John Neumann prayed for an answer. After falling asleep at his desk one evening, and experiencing a near-fire from a candle that burned down and on to the papers on his desk, John awoke to see that the fire had not burned the words on the papers. While kneeling in thanksgiving for God's protection, John heard God's voice deliver the answer to his prayers about the 40 hour devotion. The voice said: "As the flames are burning here without consuming or injuring the writing, so shall I pour out my grace in the Blessed Sacrament without prejudice to My honor. Fear no profanation, therefore; hesitate no longer to carry out your design for my glory!"
Chapel History
On an inspiration from the Holy Spirit, the Divine Mercy Eucharistic Society opened the channel of grace for perpetual adoration and hoped to propagate an increased love and devotion for the Eucharist in the Bay Area.In 1998, we occupied the former chapel and office of the Sisters of Mercy on the grounds of St. John the Baptist church in El Cerrito, California. Later in 1998, the Divine Mercy chapel was opened for the 40 hours adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as an inspiration from the message of St. John Neumann.
In August 1999, the Divine Mercy chapel, the first and only perpetual Eucharistic adoration chapel at the time in the Oakland Diocese, was established, where people can adore the Blessed Sacrament for 24 hours / 7 days a week. This chapel also became the home of the replica of the Divine Mercy image received from Krakow, Poland, the original shrine of the Divine Mercy.
Also in 1999, for inspiration, we obtained a handmade monstrance (a triangle shape with red and white rays) to house the Blessed Sacrament. It became a symbol of God's providence for all our works through the power of His mercy.
Join us for community prayers
"When two or more are gathered in my name, I will be in their midst."3:00 pm every day – Chaplet of Divine Mercy 9:00 pm every night – Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Perpetual Help Devotion every Wednesday 6:15 pm – Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Holy Mass at 6:30 pm
First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus 6:15 pm – Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Holy Mass at 6:30 pm
First Saturday Devotion to Our Lady 3:00 pm – Rosary of Our Lady; Holy Mass at 4:30 p.m.
Our Lady of Fatima Devotion–every13th of the month from May thru October 6:30 pm - Holy Mass; Procession and Benediction follows
Regular Mass Schedule: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday – 6:30 pm
Special Masses for Holy Days of Obligation.
Contact Us
Divine Mercy Eucharistic Society11152 San Pablo Ave Tel: 510-412-4715
El Cerrito, CA 94530 Fax: 510-412-3537
E-Mail:
Website: www.divinemercywestcoast.org
Direction to the Chapel
Northbound directions:On I-80 from Oakland take Exit 15 – Potrero Avenue (El Cerrito)
Keep right and proceed one block to San Pablo, and turn right
Make a U-Turn at Madison and the Divine Mercy office and chapel are on the right (between St. John the Baptist Church and elementary school)
Southbound directions:
On I-80 from Richmond, take Cutting Boulevard exit, stay in the center lane and turn left
Take the second right onto San Pablo Avenue and go .6 miles
Make a U-Turn at Madison and the Divine Mercy office and chapel are on the right (between St. John the Baptist Church and elementary school)
The Divine Inspiration Gift Shoppe
Are you looking for meaningful gift for a special person? This is the place to find the perfect gift and at the same time help support the upkeep and maintenance of the perpetual adoration chapel. The chapel survives on donations alone.
We accept donations in kind to sell in our gift shop. Some adorers make use of their creative talents and bring us wonderful one-of-a-kind items to sell.
