Divine Mercy Chaplet
History of Divine Mercy
Born as Helena Kowalska, sister Maria Faustina took her name when she joined the order of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in the early 1900’s. Sister Faustina began to receive the message of Divine Mercy through the many mystical visions and locutions she received from Jesus. Jesus gave sister Faustina the mission of telling the world of His infinite Mercy, and bringing the world back to His loving heart. Jesus also instructed Sister Faustina to record everything He spoke to her. In the spirit of obedience, sister Faustina did just that. Her diary, called Divine Mercy in my Soul includes the dialogue between her and Jesus that at once transformed, and defined her life. Many of her fellow sisters did not understand the mission she had been given by Jesus, and the deeply intimate relationship she was called to have with Him. Sister Faustina led a life of hidden humility, marked by much physical and spiritual suffering. However, her constant state of prayer allowed her to forward the message of mercy and convert the hearts of many.
Jesus’s message of Divine Mercy is one of love and forgiveness. He wants the world to know that no sin is greater than His mercy. All we must do is put our trust in Jesus and accept His love. We also must do our part to show love, compassion, and forgiveness to others by allowing His mercy to flow through us.
A tool that Jesus gave to us through sister Faustina, in order to spread His mercy to others through prayer, is the Divine Mercy chaplet. Sister Faustina describes in her diary, the vision she had of Jesus, that led to the formation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
“In the evening, when I was in my cell, I became aware of the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand was raised in blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From the opening of the garment at the breast there came forth two large rays, one red and the other pale. In silence I gazed intently at the Lord; my soul was overwhelmed with fear, but also with great joy. After a while Jesus said to me, ‘paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the inscription: Jesus, I trust in You.
“The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous; the red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the depths of My most tender Mercy at that time when My agonizing Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross….Fortunate is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him.”
After receiving this vision and many others like it, Jesus revealed to sister Faustina that she would be His instrument for spreading His Divine Mercy to the world. It was at this time that the words of the Divine Mercy chaplet were given to sister Faustina for her to record and share with the world.
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy
(For recitation on a chaplet or ordinary rosary beads)
Begin with the Sign of the Cross. Continue by saying one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the The Apostles Creed.
Then on the OUR FATHER BEAD you will say the following words:
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 10 HAIL MARY BEADS you will say the following words: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Continue in this pattern four more times as you go around the chaplet or rosary. In conclusion THREE TIMES you will recite these words:
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
End with the Sign of the Cross.
Jesus has asked us to pray this chaplet unceasingly for the salvation of souls. He has promised to all who pray this prayer, great mercy at the hour of death. As Jesus said to sister Faustina, “I want the whole world to know My Infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in My Mercy….” Sept 13, 1935
Novena and Divine Mercy Sunday
Through sister Faustina’s visions, Jesus also requested that the first Sunday after Easter be dedicated the Feast of Divine Mercy. Jesus has promised that on this day, His mercy would be overflowing to those who call upon it. It was on Sunday, April 30, 2000, that Pope John Paul II decreed that the Sunday after Easter officially be known as Divine Mercy Sunday.
Along with the Feast of Divine Mercy, Jesus has revealed that during the time preceding this feast day, a novena should be recited. This novena should begin on Good Friday in preparation for the forthcoming Divine Mercy Sunday. Jesus designated a special intention for each day of the novena.
The intentions Jesus requested are as follows:
Good Friday – All mankind, especially sinners
Holy Saturday – The souls of priests and religious
Easter Sunday – All devout and faithful souls
Easter Monday – Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
Easter Tuesday – The souls of separated brethren
Easter Wednesday – The meek and humble souls and the souls of children
Easter Thursday – The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus’ mercy
Easter Friday – The souls who are detained in purgatory
Easter Saturday – The souls who have become lukewarm
