In Lipa City, Batangas, in observance of the Feast Day of the Divine Mercy, church bells will simultaneously peal at 8 a.m.

The pealing of the bells will serve as the signal of parishioners to start praying the "Magnificat" (song to Mary) for the country’s intentions.

"The faithful will pray the Magnificat (song of Mary) for true peace, harmony, solidarity, and progress for the Philippines while reciting the de profundis. Prayers will also be offered for the deceased," Arguelles said in a text message.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, de profundis is one of the 15 gradual Psalms, which were sung by Jewish pilgrims while on their way to Jerusalem, and which are still contained in the Roman breviary.

It is also one of the seven penitential Psalms which, in the East and the West, were already used as such by the early Christians. "We hope the rest of the nation and the other archdioceses will also do the same," he said.

Divine Mercy Sunday is considered a very special feast day since it is during this time that the faithful can receive the total forgiveness of their sins and punishment by going to confession and receiving communion.

The Vatican added a plenary indulgence to the feast which gave an increased amount of time for priests to hear confessions. This is because one is allowed to go to confession up to about 20 days, before or after, Divine Mercy Sunday.

Plenary indulgence, the Handbook of Indulgences said, is granted to the faithful who perform certain devotional practices such as adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, devoutly visit one of the four patriarchal basilicas in Rome on certain days, and devoutly receive the blessing imparted either by the Pope to the City and the World or by one’s bishop under certain circumstances, among others.