Roman Catholic Devotions To Jesus Christ - Divine Mercy

Divine Mercy

The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy is based on the visions of Polish nun and canonized saint, Sister Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938), known as the "Apostle of Mercy". The chaplet is often said as a rosary-based prayer with the same set of rosary beads used for reciting the Holy Rosary or the Chaplet of Holy Wounds. However, the chaplet may also be said without beads, usually by counting prayers on the fingertips.

According to Sister Faustina'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. Still, according to Sister Faustina's visions, Jesus Christ promised that all who recite this chaplet at the hour of death or in the presence of the dying will receive great Mercy.

Virtually all of us know of St. Faustina and our Lord's apparitions to her, which brought about the Feast of Divine Mercy, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Icon of the Divine Mercy above. However, St. Faustina wrote down the Lord's words to her (all approved by the Church as authentic) and one was of the need to make time for at least a moment of prayer at three o'clock everyday. Here are Our Lord's Words as recorded in St. Faustina's diary:

My daughter, try your best to make the Stations of the Cross in this hour, provided that your duties permit it; and if you are not able to make the Stations of the Cross, then at least step into the chapel for a moment and adore, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, My Heart, which is Full of Mercy; and should you be unable to step into the chapel, immerse yourself in prayer there where you happen to be, if only for a very brief instant. (1572) 1320 At three o'clock, implore My Mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in my abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great Mercy for the whole world. I will allow you to enter into my mortal sorrow. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of me in virtue of My Passion. 1572 I remind you my daughter that as often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My Mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke Its Omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners; for at that moment Mercy was opened wide for every soul.

Start with the Apostles Creed, 1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys On the large bead before each decade (1X): 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 of each decade (10X), say: ''''For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.''''

Conclude with (Say 3 Times):

'Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world 'Optional 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.'

Pope 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, the 70th anniversary of the revelation of the Divine Mercy Message and Devotion.