Chaplet of Divine Mercy - Novena of Divine Mercy

Novena of Divine Mercy

The Chaplet may be said on a singular occasion or as a Novena for nine consecutive days. According to Faustina's words, Jesus himself in a vision asked to pray the Divine Mercy Novena as a preparation for the Feast of the Divine Mercy, celebrated each year on 1st Sunday after Easter. The novena should begin on Good Friday. There is a prayer intention for specific group of people on each of the nine days. The last day intention – according to Jesus' message to St. Faustina – is the most difficult of all: to pray for the people who are lukewarm and indifferent. Jesus described those people as follows:

"These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."

The Divine Mercy Chaplet contains the following:

1. Make the Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. Opening Prayers: 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.

O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You! (x3)

3. Our Father: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.

4. Hail Mary: Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

5. The Apostles' Creed: I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

6. The Eternal Father: 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.

7. On the Ten Small Beads of Each Decade: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (x10)

8. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times): Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

9. Closing Prayer: 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.

The Novena intentions are:

• First Day – all mankind, in particular all sinners.
• Second Day – the souls of priests and the religious.
• Third Day – the souls of the devout and faithful people.
• Fourth Day – for the non-believers and those who do not yet know Jesus.
• Fifth Day – the souls of heretics and schismatics.
• Sixth Day – the souls of "the meek and humble" and for little children.
• Seventh Day – the souls of people who especially glorify Christ's mercy.
• Eighth Day – souls in Purgatory.
• Ninth Day – souls who have become lukewarm and indifferent.