“The world right now has reached an all-time low in human sinfulness,” said Fr. James Cervantes, MIC, a Marian priest and promoter of the Divine Mercy devotion.
Addressing over 3,000 delegates at the 5th Philippine Apostolic Congress on Mercy (PACOM) held in Davao City from August 28–30, 2025, Fr. Cervantes spoke on the theme “From Mercy Flows Hope: A Pilgrim’s Journey Based on the Life of St. Faustina.”
Fr. Cervantes, who hails from California, is a member of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, based in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Before his priestly ordination in 2011, he worked as a missionary in the Philippines. He now serves as director of the Association of Marian Helpers in the Philippines.
In his address, he lamented the moral decline evident in many nations that have legalized abortion, divorce, and remarriage, which he described as adultery. He also cited widespread cohabitation, pornography, sexual abuse, and sex trafficking as signs of a deep moral crisis.
Speaking on the feast of St. Augustine (August 29), Fr. Cervantes highlighted the saint’s famous words: “Lord, you have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” He stressed that people today seek happiness in wealth, material possessions, and worldly pleasures, but true happiness can only be found in God.
“If you look at the world right now, it seems to me that we have reached an all-time low in human sinfulness,” he said. “Is there any hope for humanity? Is there anything that can help put us back on the track that God wants us to live?”
According to Fr. Cervantes, the answer lies in the teaching of St. John Paul II, who declared that “there is nothing that mankind needs more than Divine Mercy.”
“This world needs Divine Mercy. This is the time for mercy,” the priest emphasized.
He noted that the Great Jubilee Year 2025 coincides with the 25th anniversary of St. Faustina Kowalska’s canonization and the proclamation of the Feast of Divine Mercy. He commended the Philippines for being the only nation to make a National Act of Consecration to the Divine Mercy.
Recalling the witness of St. Faustina, known as the “Secretary of Divine Mercy,” Fr. Cervantes said that despite the hardships and suffering in her time, she aspired to become a saint, fully confident in God’s mercy.
“Do you know the purpose of your life? Why did God make you? Why are you here?” he asked. “Sadly, many people live long years without discovering why they are here.”
Quoting St. Faustina’s diary, “My purpose is to become closely united to God through love”, Fr. Cervantes reminded the faithful that humanity’s ultimate purpose is union with God. Original sin broke this union, he said, but the mission of Divine Mercy is to restore it.
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