THE CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCY
"Encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given you ... Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death ... When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between my Father and the dying person, not as the Just Judge but as the Merciful Savior ... Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. 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 ... Through the Chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will." (Saint Faustina's Diary 687, 1541, 1731)The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a prayer taught to St. Faustina by Our Lord, who revealed to her how to efficaciously invoke his Divine Mercy and its great power to save souls and convert even the most hardened sinners.
The Divine Mercy chaplet calls to mind the ancient and powerful “Jesus Prayer” known to Christians of the East, which is prayed on the chotki or Jesus Beads:
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
The Divine Mercy chaplet likewise begs Christ for mercy, first for ourselves, and then for those for whom we pray it. Regarding this prayer, Jesus said to St. Faustina:
“Say unceasingly this chaplet that I have taught you. Anyone who says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will receive grace from My Infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to know My Infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in My Mercy” and later, “When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person not as the just judge but as the Merciful Savior.”
HOW TO PRAY THE CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY
The Divine Mercy chaplet is prayed on the beads of a regular Rosary. It is a very quick prayer – it only takes about five minutes! The Divine Mercy chaplet can also be chanted or sung (there is a traditional chant tone as well as a more contemporary melody, which is a very beautiful way to pray this chaplet with a group.
This chaplet can also be prayed daily for nine consecutive days as a novena, with accompanying prayers taught to St. Faustina by Our Lord.
ON THE CRUCIFIX
Pray the Sign of the Cross:
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
ON THE FIRST SINGLE (OUR FATHER) BEAD
Optional 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 Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.”
Repeat three times:
“O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!”
ON THE FIRST THREE (HAIL MARY) BEADS
Pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Apostle’s Creed:
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
ON EACH OF THE 5 SINGLE (OUR FATHER) BEADS
“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 EACH GROUP OF 10 (HAIL MARY) BEADS
“For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”
CONCLUDING PRAYERS
When all five groups of ten beads (decades) are completed, pray:
“Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” (Repeat three times)
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. Amen.” (Finish with the Sign of the Cross)