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The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, also called the Divine Mercy Chaplet, is a Catholic devotion to the Divine Mercy,[1] based on the Christological apparitions of Jesus Christ reported by Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938), known as "the Apostle of Mercy".[2][3] She was a Polish religious sister of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and was canonized as a Catholic saint in 2000 by Pope John Paul II.[4]

Kowalska stated that she received this rosary-based prayer directly from Jesus through visions and conversations, who also made specific promises regarding the recitation of the prayer.[2] Her Vatican biography quotes some of these conversations.[4]

This chaplet is prayed with the same set of rosary beads used for reciting the Marian Rosary. As an Anglican devotion, the Divine Mercy Society of the Anglican Church states that the chaplet can also be recited on Anglican prayer beads.[5] The chaplet may also be said without beads, by counting prayers on the fingertips,[2] and can be accompanied by the veneration of the Divine Mercy image.[6][7]

History

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Main article: Divine Mercy (Catholic devotion)

Kowalska wrote about the revelations of Jesus regarding the chaplet in her diary (Diary 474-476) during her stay in Vilnius on 13 and 14 September 1935.[8][9] Kowalska recounted a vision in which she saw an angel of divine wrath sent to punish the earth for its sins. In response, Kowalska began praying for the angel to delay its punishment and for the world to repent. While she was praying for this, she suddenly had a vision of the Holy Trinity and was taken before the Throne of God. Overwhelmed by its majesty, she did not dare to repeat her prayers. However, she felt a power from Jesus in her soul and heard internally two new prayers: "The Eternal Father" and "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion". As she was moved to pray these prayers, the angel became powerless and unable to perform the punishment.[10][11] The next day, on 14 September 1935, as she entered a chapel, she again heard Jesus dictating the same prayers to her and the structure of a new chaplet based on them.[10][12][13]

Kowalska stated that Jesus asked her to pray this chaplet and instruct others to do so. She learned that the prayers were to be taught to all the people of the world.[14] Although the chaplet is said on beads like the Rosary, it is about a third of the length of the Rosary, and unlike the Rosary that has evolved over the years, the form and structure of the chaplet has remained unchanged since Kowalska attributed it to a message from Jesus.[9][15] According to Kowalska's visions, written in her diary, the chaplet's prayers for mercy are threefold: to obtain mercy, to trust in Christ's mercy, and to show mercy to others.[6][16][17]

On November 19, 1958, and reaffirmed in 1959, the Vatican banned the Chaplet and its promulgation. Some Polish bishops questioned Kowalska's claims and were uncomfortable with the image's similarity to the red-and-white Polish flag.[18] Polish priests were reported to be interpreting the rays as a symbol of the flag.[19]

The ban on devotion was lifted on 15 April 1978, due to pressure from future Polish pope Karol Wojtyła, who had great interest in Kowalska.[18] After assuming the throne of Peter, John Paul II was instrumental in the formal establishment of the Divine Mercy devotion and acknowledged the efforts of the Marian Fathers in its promotion in a Papal Blessing in 2001, on the 70th anniversary of the revelation of the Divine Mercy Message and Devotion.

Although the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Chaplet of Holy Wounds share similarities, these are distinct chaplets and were introduced over 20 years apart, one in Poland, the other in France.[20]

Promises

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Kowalska wrote that Jesus promised great mercy to all who recite this chaplet, both during their lifetime and especially at the hour of death. She also noted that some graces could be granted to the dying if others pray the chaplet at their bedside. She recorded Jesus saying :

“Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death.” (Diary 687)

"Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy... I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy.” (Diary 687)

"The souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death." (Diary 754)

"I shall treat every soul that says this Chaplet as My glory, and I shall grant it My defence at the hour of death; also those at whose deathbed others say the Chaplet shall be granted the same indulgence. When people say the Chaplet at a dying person’s bedside, God’s anger is placated, and unfathomed mercy embraces the soul " (Diary 811)

“When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as a just Judge but as a merciful Savior.” (Diary 1541)

“When hardened sinners say it, I will fill their souls with peace, and the hour of their death will be a happy one.” (Diary 1541)[21][22]

According to her diary, she sometimes had sudden visions of certain souls dying and she was then asked by Jesus to pray the chaplet in order to obtain for them mercy and be saved through the prayer.

Kowalska also stated that Jesus promised that anything can be obtained with this prayer if it is compatible with his will.

“When they say this Chaplet, it will please Me to grant everything they shall ask for” (Diary 1541)

“Through this chaplet, you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will.” (Diary 1731)[21][22]

Practice

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According to Roman Catholic tradition, the chaplet may be said at any time, but it is often said on Divine Mercy Sunday, as part of a novena that starts on Good Friday or on Fridays at 3:00 p.m..

The chaplet is prayed daily at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts and on the National Shrine in Krakow and Vilnius respectively at the shared time.

In the Philippines, the opening portion of the chaplet known as the "3 O'Clock Habit" (Filipino: Panalangin Para Sa Ikatlo/Alas-Tres Ng Hapon) is broadcast on radio stations and television networks[a] daily at 3:00 p.m., beginning June 16, 1985.[23] In 2000, Pope John Paul II ordained the Sunday after Easter as the Divine Mercy Sunday, where Roman Catholics remember the institution of the Sacrament of Penance. The hour Jesus died by crucifixion, 3:00 p.m., is called the Hour of Mercy. In a novena, the chaplet is usually said each of the nine days from Good Friday to Divine Mercy Sunday.

Chaplet

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Prayers

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The chaplet contains several unique prayers. The rosary is traditionally used to move through the prayers.

First opening prayer (optional)

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The first prayer is prayed on the first large bead where the Our Father is normally prayed and may be used to begin the chaplet:

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.[24]

Eternal Father

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The Eternal Father prayer opens each decade of the chaplet and is prayed on the single beads separating the decades where the Our Father is normally prayed:

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.[24]

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion

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The "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" prayer, repeated 10 times in succession, forms the body of each decade of the chaplet, using the beads where the Hail Marys are normally recited:

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.[24]

Holy God

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The Holy God prayer, repeated three times in succession, concludes the chaplet, recited where the Hail Holy Queen is normally prayed:

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.[24]

Closing prayer (optional)

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The closing prayer is used after the Holy God to end the chaplet:

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.[24][25]

Structure

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The chaplet is often recited on beads as a rosary-based prayer.
The Divine Mercy image devoted with the Chaplet

The chaplet is prayed on ordinary rosary beads that are also used to pray the Dominican Rosary.[24][17]

However, according to the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, the chaplet should not be prayed the same way as an ordinary rosary: the decades should not be interspersed with meditations, intentions or any other prayers. Any intentions or texts are to be meditated upon at the beginning so that the entire prayer is said the way Jesus dictated it.[10]

It is also to be noted that the optional prayers were not in the original dictation. The structure of the chaplet is as follows:[24][17][26][27]

The chaplet is begun on the short strand of the rosary beads:

The praying of the decades then follows, repeating this cycle for each:

To conclude:

Divine Mercy Novena

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The Divine Mercy Chaplet may be repeated over a period of nine days as part of a novena. According to Kowalska's Diary, Jesus himself asked Faustina that the Divine Mercy Novena be prayed as a preparation for the Feast of the Divine Mercy, celebrated each year on first Sunday after Easter.[28] The novena should begin on Good Friday.

"Jesus told me to say the Chaplet for nine days before the Feast of Mercy. It's to start on Good Friday. "Through this Novena, I shall grant all manner of graces to souls."" (Diary 796)[29][30] "I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the fountain of My mercy, that they may draw therefrom strength and refreshment and whatever grace they have need of in the hardships of life, and especially at the hour of death" (Diary 1209)[31]

There is a prayer intention for specific group of people on each of the nine days.

"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls." (Diary 1209)[32]

The novena intentions for each day are:[33][31]

  1. All mankind, in particular, all sinners.
  2. The souls of Catholic priests and religious.
  3. All devout and faithful souls.
  4. Those who do not believe in God and those who do not yet know him.
  5. The souls of those separated from the Catholic Church.
  6. Meek and humble of heart, and children.
  7. People who especially venerate and glorify Christ's mercy.
  8. The souls in Purgatory.
  9. The souls of those who have become lukewarm.

See also

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Notes

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References

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Further reading

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Chaplet of the Divine Mercy

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from Grokipedia
The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy is a Roman Catholic prayer devotion recited using ordinary beads, consisting of specific invocations that offer the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ to in reparation for sins and to implore mercy for the whole world. It originated from private revelations received by Polish nun Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938) between 1931 and 1938, as recorded in her spiritual diary Divine Mercy in My Soul. The chaplet was specifically revealed to Faustina on the evening of September 13, 1935, during a vision in which she saw an angel, the executor of divine wrath, poised to punish a city for its sins; her initial prayers proved powerless until appeared and instructed her to recite the chaplet, which immediately halted the angel's actions. In her diary (entry 476), Faustina described how taught her the prayer, emphasizing its power as an intercessory plea: "Say unceasingly the chaplet that I have taught you. Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death... Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation." The chaplet begins with the Sign of the Cross, followed by one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Apostles' Creed; it then proceeds through five decades, where for each large bead the pray-er recites "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," and for each of the ten small beads, "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world." It concludes with three repetitions of "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world." Jesus conveyed several promises associated with its recitation, including that it would appease God's wrath, grant peace to hardened sinners, and serve as a refuge for the dying (with Jesus standing as Merciful Savior rather than Judge)—especially if said at 3:00 p.m., the Hour of Great Mercy, commemorating Christ's death. Although Faustina's writings faced initial suspicion and a 1959 notification from the Holy Office (now the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith) prohibiting their dissemination due to translation errors and concerns over unapproved private revelations, the ban was lifted in 1978 after a thorough review confirmed their orthodoxy. The devotion received full ecclesiastical approval with the of Faustina in 1993 and her on April 30, 2000, by , who declared it "a gift of special enlightenment" for the Church and established the Second Sunday of Easter as to foster its celebration worldwide. Today, the chaplet is widely promoted by the Church, often prayed during the annual leading to , and is recognized for its emphasis on trust in God's infinite mercy amid modern challenges.

Origins and History

Revelations to Saint Faustina Kowalska

Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, born Helena Kowalska on August 25, 1905, in the rural village of Głogowiec, Poland, grew up in a devout Catholic family as the third of ten children. In 1924, at the age of 18, she experienced her first vision of a suffering Jesus, which prompted her to pursue religious life despite her family's initial opposition. On August 1, 1925, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in , taking the religious name Maria Faustina, and professed her perpetual vows on May 1, 1933. From February 22, 1931, until her death on October 5, 1938, Faustina received numerous private revelations from Jesus Christ, which she meticulously recorded in her spiritual diary at the direction of her confessor, Blessed Michael Sopocko. The pivotal revelation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy occurred on the evening of September 13, 1935, while Faustina was in her cell at the convent in Vilnius (now Lithuania). In a vision described in her diary, she beheld an angel, identified as the executor of divine wrath, clothed in a dazzling white robe with a face effused by the brightness of lightning, descending upon a city to administer just punishment for its accumulated sins. A cloud enveloped the angel's feet as thunderbolts and lightning bolts prepared to strike, symbolizing impending divine judgment. Faustina, sensing the gravity of the moment, began imploring God for mercy on behalf of the sinners, but her initial prayers proved powerless against the angel's mission (Diary, 474). Suddenly, the heavens parted, and appeared before Faustina, His garments as white as snow and radiating incomprehensible majesty, with wounds from which emanated changing rays of light that dimmed the angel's splendor. At His command, Faustina recited an interior of , which immediately halted the angel's actions: "As I prayed thus, I saw the powerlessness of the angel, and he could not carry out the just that was justly due for sins" (, 475). This intervention underscored the supplicatory power of mercy over wrath, setting the stage for the Chaplet's revelation. The following day, September 14, 1935—the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross— returned in vision to Faustina, dictating the precise form and manner of reciting the Chaplet. He instructed her to use ordinary beads, emphasizing its recitation as a plea for upon the world, especially for hardened sinners and the dying. This dictation, detailed in entry 476, marked the Chaplet's formal entrustment to Faustina as a tool to invoke God's compassion and avert chastisement. Faustina's diary, titled Divine Mercy in My Soul, remains the authoritative for these revelations, comprising over 1,800 entries transcribed from notebooks she maintained from to 1938 under strict obedience to her spiritual director. Despite her profound and the initially private, even doubted, nature of her experiences within the Church, these writings established Faustina as the Apostle of , conveying Christ's message of boundless compassion to humanity. The diary's content, later compiled and authenticated, reveals the intimate, ongoing dialogue between Faustina and that shaped her mission.

Development and Promotion

Following St. Faustina Kowalska's death in 1938, the Chaplet of the circulated privately among her religious congregation and select Polish communities, but its broader dissemination faced significant obstacles. In 1959, the Holy Office (now the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith) issued a notification prohibiting the public promotion, printing, and distribution of images and writings associated with the devotion, including the Chaplet, due to theological concerns stemming from inaccurate translations of Faustina's that appeared to contradict Church teaching on . This suppression limited official efforts, though private recitation persisted in and among expatriate groups, such as through the efforts of Marian Fathers who maintained discreet circulation of materials despite the restrictions. The ban was formally lifted on April 15, 1978, by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, enabling renewed promotion after nearly two decades of caution. In the ensuing revival during the late and , Polish clergy and lay groups, including figures like Fr. Seraphim Michalenko of the Marian Fathers, played key roles in disseminating the devotion through publications and retreats. The first complete English translation of Faustina's diary, containing the Chaplet's origins, was published in 1987 by the Marians, facilitating its introduction to English-speaking audiences, while earlier partial translations of the prayers appeared in pamphlets as early as the . Papal endorsement markedly accelerated the Chaplet's adoption. St. John Paul II, who as Cardinal Karol Wojtyła had advocated for lifting the ban, canonized Faustina on April 30, 2000, declaring her the "Apostle of Divine Mercy" and proclaiming the Second Sunday of as to honor the devotion's core message. He personally recited the Chaplet daily and integrated it into his public ministry, further embedding it in global Catholic practice. Post-2000, the Chaplet experienced exponential global spread, with translations of the prayers available in over 20 languages by the mid-2010s and expanding further through multilingual resources. Its integration into parish devotions worldwide became commonplace, supported by annual Divine Mercy conferences and the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (), initiated in 2008 under Vatican auspices and held periodically to foster the devotion's , with the sixth planned for 2026 in . As of 2025, the continues to oversee promotional efforts, including digital adaptations such as livestreamed novenas and mobile apps that enable multilingual recitation, alongside communities that sustain year-round engagement amid growing accessibility challenges.

Theological Significance

Promises Associated with the Chaplet

The promises associated with the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy stem from private revelations conveyed to Saint Faustina Kowalska, as recorded in her Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul. These assurances emphasize the chaplet's role in invoking God's mercy for individuals, sinners, and the world at large, encouraging trust and devotion. described the chaplet as a powerful means to obtain graces, particularly in moments of spiritual peril, with specific pledges tied to its recitation. Over a dozen such promises are compiled across various entries in Faustina's diary, highlighting its efficacy as a "vessel of mercy" for humanity. A central promise concerns consolation and mercy at the hour of death. Jesus stated, "The souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by My during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death," assuring that even a single recitation—beginning with the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Apostles' Creed—suffices to secure graces of conversion and forgiveness for the dying. This mercy extends dynamically: if the chaplet is recited by another person in the presence of someone facing death, Jesus pledged to stand as the Merciful Savior between the Father and the soul, mitigating judgment. For hardened sinners who recite it, even once, Jesus promised to fill their souls with peace, making their final hour joyful. Priests who promote the chaplet were assured "tremendous power" in their ministry, with the devotion serving as an "anchor of salvation" for many souls amid tribulations. The chaplet also offers protection against divine wrath and fosters extraordinary spiritual benefits. In a 1935 vision, Faustina witnessed an angel poised to execute God's punishment on the world; her recitation of the chaplet rendered the angel powerless, diminishing the clouds of wrath and averting the just penalty for sins. This event underscores the chaplet's ability to appease divine anger when offered for sinners, granting it greater efficacy than other devotions in promoting their conversion. Additionally, revealed that the chaplet aids the release of souls from , drawing them closer to God's mercy through intercessory . Broader graces include the cultivation of profound trust in and the obtainment of for the entire world. emphasized that through the chaplet, devotees can acquire "everything" aligned with God's will, including unimaginable graces for those who approach with confidence. As a tool for evangelization, it invites even the most wayward souls to draw near without fear, exhausting neither God's nor the opportunity for redemption. These promises collectively position the chaplet as a conduit for global renewal, urging its widespread recitation to glorify eternally.

Church Approval and Indulgences

The Catholic Church initially approached the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy with caution. In 1959, the Holy Office (now the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) issued a notification prohibiting the spread of writings and images related to the devotion, citing concerns over potentially erroneous interpretations stemming from faulty Polish-to-Italian translations of Saint Faustina Kowalska's diary. This ban was lifted on April 15, 1978, following a Vatican-commissioned review that confirmed the devotion's orthodoxy, allowing its propagation once more. The devotion gained full Church endorsement through the beatification of Saint Faustina Kowalska on April 18, 1993, by Pope Saint John Paul II, and her on April 30, 2000, during the Year, when she was declared the "Apostle of ." During the Mass, Pope John Paul II formally designated the Second Sunday of Easter as , integrating the feast into the liturgical calendar and recommending the Chaplet as a central element of its celebrations to foster trust in God's mercy. This liturgical recognition was further highlighted in his April 22, 2001, homily for the feast, where he described the message of as Christ's timely response to contemporary human needs. Indulgences for the devotion were officially granted by the in a dated June 29, 2002, as detailed in the Enchiridion of Indulgences (fourth edition, 1999, with norms unchanged as of 2025). A plenary is available on to the faithful who, in a spirit of trust, participate in the prayers and devotions honoring —such as reciting the Chaplet—while fulfilling the usual conditions: complete detachment from sin, sacramental confession within about 20 days, reception of Holy Communion, and recitation of the Our Father and for the intentions of the Roman Pontiff. Additionally, a partial is granted at any time to those who recite the Chaplet of with a contrite heart, invoking the merciful through a legitimately approved , such as "Jesus, I trust in You." The Church's approval rests on the devotion's deep theological alignment with Sacred Scripture and , without mandating assent to the private revelations received by Saint Faustina. It echoes biblical themes of , as in John 20:19-31, where the risen Christ appears to the apostles, offering peace and the authority to forgive sins, thereby revealing as foundational to the . This emphasis on as the heart of Christian doctrine—evident in the teachings of the and councils—positions the Chaplet as a public expression of , encouraging acts of toward others while reinforcing the sacraments as the ordinary .

Structure and Prayers

Overall Composition

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is structured for recitation using a standard set of rosary beads consisting of five decades, similar to the traditional Rosary but employing distinct prayers focused on invoking God's mercy. This format allows the chaplet to be prayed on the large "Our Father" beads and the sets of ten small "Hail Mary" beads, providing a tactile guide through the prayers; if beads are unavailable, the chaplet may be recited using one's fingers to count the repetitions. The overall sequence begins with the Sign of the Cross, followed by initial prayers of the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Apostles' Creed, before proceeding to the core decades. Each of the five decades follows a consistent pattern: one "Eternal Father" prayer is recited on the large bead, succeeded by ten repetitions of the "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" prayer on the small beads, emphasizing through Christ's Passion for upon the world. After completing all five decades, the chaplet concludes with three recitations of the "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have on us and on the whole world," serving as a Trinitarian of divine . An optional closing prayer, such as "Eternal God, in whom is endless and the treasury of inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with trust submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and itself," may follow to seal the devotion. Symbolically, the chaplet's design highlights themes of redemption and , with the prayers offering Christ's Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity to the Father in for sins, drawing from the imagery of the Blood and Water flowing from ' pierced Heart as a "fountain of ." Rather than emphasizing personal , the structure prioritizes communal and trust in , as revealed to in her Diary. Variations in practice include reciting the chaplet silently for personal or singing it to musical settings approved by the Marian Fathers, who promote the devotion; while no rigid posture is mandated, it is commonly prayed kneeling before an image of the to foster contemplation.

Text of the Prayers

The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy begins with the , optionally followed by the opening prayer "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 , envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us," as revealed to in her entry 1319, followed by three repetitions of "O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You" (, 187). This is succeeded by the standard prayers of the Our Father, , and , recited on the appropriate beads of a standard . The core of the Chaplet consists of five decades, each beginning with the decade prayer: "Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, ," prayed once on the Our Father bead. This is followed by ten recitations of the response prayer on the beads: "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world." These prayers were directly dictated to Saint Faustina in her , entry 476, emphasizing their role in invoking . The Chaplet concludes with the prayer "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole ," repeated . This invocation draws from the ancient hymn, a liturgical of Eastern Christian origin dating back to the fifth century, adapted here to extend mercy to the entire as instructed in entry 476. An optional closing may follow: "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 trust submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself." This originates from entry 950 and underscores reliance on God's mercy. The full Chaplet text is officially available in numerous languages through the Vatican and the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, facilitating its global recitation.

Devotional Practice

Instructions for Praying the Chaplet

The Chaplet of is ideally recited at 3 p.m., known as the Hour of Great Mercy, to commemorate the time of Christ's death on the , though it may be prayed at any time of day. The prayer typically takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete, making it accessible for daily devotion. The recitation follows a structured sequence using ordinary beads or, if unavailable, the fingers of one hand to count the prayers. Begin with the , followed by optional opening prayers such as "You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls..." Next, on the first large bead, pray one Our Father, one , and the . Then, for each of the five decades: on the large bead, pray "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"; on the ten small beads, pray "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world." Conclude by repeating the final invocation three times: "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world," and end with the . Devotees often kneel or sit in a quiet setting, preferably before an image of the , to foster a of reverence and focus, though no specific posture is mandated. The Chaplet may be prayed aloud, silently, or even sung to simple melodies, such as folk tunes, to enhance . Adaptations allow for flexibility in various contexts: it is particularly recommended for those near , as its intercessory nature invokes for the dying; in group settings, a leader may recite the initial prayers with responses from participants; and electronic versions, including mobile apps with audio guides, enable prayer on the go. Throughout, the emphasis lies on an interior attitude of complete trust in God's rather than rote repetition.

Connection to the Divine Mercy Novena

The Novena is a nine-day devotion centered on the recitation of the Chaplet of the , as revealed to Saint Faustina Kowalska during her mystical experiences. In her , Jesus instructed her to initiate this , stating, "By this novena, I will grant every possible grace to souls," specifically referencing entry 796 where the prayer is to begin on and conclude on the eve of the Feast of , observed as the Second Sunday of . This timing aligns the novena with the and the , emphasizing themes of redemption and mercy. Each day of the involves praying the complete Chaplet, preceded by an opening prayer and followed by a specific for a distinct group of souls, totaling nine categories as directed in Faustina's visions. These intentions include all humanity, especially sinners (Day 1); and religious (Day 2); devout and faithful souls (Day 3); non-believers and those unaware of Christ (Day 4); souls separated from the Church (Day 5); meek and humble souls, including children (Day 6); those who venerate God's mercy (Day 7); souls in (Day 8); and lukewarm souls (Day 9). The structure reinforces the Chaplet's role as a powerful intercessory tool, adapting its general pleas for mercy to targeted groups to foster universal salvation. The integrates liturgically by culminating in the celebration of Mass, proclaimed by in 2000 as a universal feast dedicated to Christ's merciful love, drawing on the season's focus on resurrection and forgiveness. While traditionally starting on , the novena may begin earlier if pastoral needs require, allowing flexibility for communal or personal observance during the octave. Spiritually, the novena extends the Chaplet's promises of —such as protection from divine wrath and graces for the dying—into a collective invocation for the world's redemption, encouraging participants to act as apostles of . Though optional, it is highly recommended for both individual and group , with participation experiencing significant growth since the 2000 of Saint Faustina, described as a "religious " that has spread globally through parishes, shrines, and online communities.

References

  1. https://www.usccb.org/prayers/chaplet-divine-mercy
  2. https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/pray-the-chaplet
  3. https://www.saint-faustina.org/chaplet-of-the-divine-mercy/
  4. https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/divine-mercy-chaplet
  5. https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/chaplet-history
  6. https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/history
  7. http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/2000/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20000430_faustina.html
  8. https://www.usccb.org/prolife/divine-mercy-sunday
  9. https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/novena
  10. https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20000430_faustina_en.html
  11. https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/stfaustina/bio
  12. https://www.saint-faustina.org/chaplet-of-the-divine-mercy-history-of-the-devotion-to-the-divine-mercy/
  13. https://www.saint-faustina.org/diary-full-text/
  14. https://www.catholic.com/qa/why-did-the-church-ban-the-divine-mercy-devotion-from-1959-to-1978
  15. https://aleteia.org/2023/04/17/why-the-vatican-banned-the-divine-mercy-devotion-for-20-years/
  16. https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/mercy-devotion-spreads-banned-and-spreads-again
  17. https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/divine-mercy-and-diary
  18. https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/2000/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20000430_faustina.html
  19. https://www.ncregister.com/blog/insights-from-pope-john-paul-ii-on-divine-mercy
  20. https://mercycongress.org/the-6th-world-apostolic-congress-on-mercy-will-take-place-in-vilnius-lithuania-june-7-12-2026/
  21. https://www.evangelizatio.va/content/pcpne/en/news/wacom.html
  22. https://catholicphilly.com/2020/04/news/local-news/divine-mercy-novena-goes-digital-as-prayers-to-end-pandemic-continue/
  23. https://liturgicalyear.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/divine-mercy-in-my-soul.pdf
  24. https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/80th-anniversary-divine-mercy-chaplet
  25. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19780415_kowalska_en.html
  26. http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/2001/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20010422_divina-misericordia.html
  27. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_doc_20020629_decree-ii_en.html
  28. http://holyjoe.org/indulgences/Indulgences_1999.pdf
  29. https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/hour
  30. https://www.catholic.com/tract/divine-mercy-chaplet-catholic-answers-guide
  31. https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/chaplet
  32. https://www.divinemercy.org/elements-of-divine-mercy/novena-divine-mercy/80-novena-before-the-feast-of-mercy.html
  33. https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/praying-dying
  34. https://www.thedivinemercy.org/eadm/praying
  35. https://www.thedivinemercy.org/app
  36. https://www.saint-faustina.org/novena-to-the-divine-mercy/
  37. https://www.osvnews.com/a-quiet-divine-mercy-prophet-25-years-into-her-canonization/
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