Know About Divine Mercy Sunday’s Special Graces

The Catholic Church celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday the Sunday after Easter. It’s not just another feast day, though. Divine Mercy Sunday is an incredible day to receive the mercy that Christ gives His Church.

Here’s what you need to know about the graces that come with Divine Mercy Sunday:


What is Divine Mercy Sunday?

During his papacy, Saint Pope John Paul II declared that the Sunday after Easter should be celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday. John Paul II announced this addition to the liturgical celebrations of the Catholic Church on May 5, 2000, during Saint Faustina’s canonization Mass.

Messages of God’s mercy can be traced all the way back through the Old Testament. We hear that God is slow to anger, rich in compassion. God the Father gives humanity His only begotten Son in the ultimate act of mercy. And Christ hangs on the cross as expiation for our sins.


Christ Himself tells us about the graces

Christ appeared to Saint Faustina over the course of four years. In one of the visions, He told Faustina about the Divine Mercy Promise. We find the promise in her diary:

“Our Lord Jesus said, ‘The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet…Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy.”

Plenary indulgences come with a list of conditions. In order to receive the indulgence you must receive the Eucharist, go to confession within 20 days, pray for the intentions of the Holy father, and be detached from all sin.

Christ’s promises for Divine Mercy Sunday removes the requirement for the soul to be detached from all sin. The special graces promised by Christ come through receiving Communion, being in a state of grace, and trusting in Divine Mercy.
The graces from Mercy Sunday are incredible, but just what are the graces? The most important grace that Christ promises for Divine Mercy Sunday is equivalent to the soul returning to the state it was right after baptism – “complete forgiveness (remission) of sins and punishment”. This grace can usually only be received by baptism itself – or by making a confession with perfect contrition.

“Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment,” Christ told Faustina.

To receive these graces, the only conditions are to receive Holy Communion in a state of grace on Divine Mercy Sunday (or the Vigil celebration on Saturday evening), make a good confession, and trust in His Divine Mercy.

“On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open,” Faustina records in her diary. “I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity.”

Christ emphasizes the importance of confessing our sins and receiving His body in the sacrament of the Eucharist. He wants all souls to receive His Divine Mercy!

Eternal Father, we 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.

For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Amen. 

PLEASE SHARE TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY 

Divine Mercy Novena Day 9

The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy Novena

Ninth Day:

Today bring to Me SOULS WHO HAVE BECOME LUKEWARM,* and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy.

Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls, who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Litany to the Divine Mercy 

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*To understand who are the souls designated for this day, and who in the Diary are called 'lukewarm,' but are also compared to ice and to corpses, we would do well to take note of the definition that the Savior Himself gave to them when speaking to St. Faustina about them on one occasion: There are souls who thwart My efforts (1682). Souls without love or devotion, souls full of egoism and selfishness, proud and arrogant souls full of deceit and hypocrisy, lukewarm souls who have just enough warmth to keep themselves alive: My Heart cannot bear this. All the graces that I pour out upon them flow off them as off the face of a rock. I cannot stand them because they are neither good nor bad (1702).

Divine Mercy Novena Day 8

 

The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy Novena

Eighth Day:

Today bring to Me THE SOULS WHO ARE DETAINED IN PURGATORY, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.

Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion.

 Amen.

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Litany to the Divine Mercy 

Divine Mercy Novena Day 7

 

The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy Novena

Seventh Day:

Today bring to Me THE SOULS WHO ESPECIALLY VENERATE AND GLORIFY MY MERCY, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.

Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God:

Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He, Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen.

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Litany to the Divine Mercy 

Divine Mercy Novena Day 6

 

The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy Novena

Sixth Day:

Today bring to Me THE MEEK AND HUMBLE SOULS AND THE SOULS OF LITTLE CHILDREN, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is capable of receiving My grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.

Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Litany to the Divine Mercy 

Litany To The Divine Mercy

 

Litany to the Divine Mercy

from St. Faustina Kowalska's Diary

Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the bosom of the Father,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, fountain gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, unfathomed by any intellect, human or angelic,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, from which wells forth all life and happiness,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, better than the heavens,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of the Incarnate Word,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially for sinners,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Sacred Host,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in the founding of the Holy Church,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in our justification through Jesus Christ,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, accompanying us through our whole life,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment of our life,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, shielding us from the fire of hell,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in the conversion of hardened sinners,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, astonishment for Angels, incomprehensible to Saints,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, unfathomed in all the mysteries of God,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in calling us forth from nothingness to existence,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of His hands,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, crown of all God's handiwork,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in which we are all immersed,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, only hope of despairing souls,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, repose of hearts, peace amidst fear,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, delight and ecstasy of holy souls,

I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope,

I trust in You.

Let us pray:
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.

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Litany to the Divine Mercy 

Divine mercy Novena Day 5

The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy Novena

Fifth Day:

Today bring to Me THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE SEPARATED THEMSELVES FROM MY CHURCH, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church, My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion.

Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son's Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Litany to the Divine Mercy 

Divine Mercy Novena Day 4

The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy Novena

Fourth Day:

Today bring to Me The PAGANS AND THOSE WHO DO NOT YET KNOW ME. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.

Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Litany to the Divine Mercy 

Divine Mercy Novena Day 3

 

The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy Novena

Third Day:

Today bring to Me ALL DEVOUT AND FAITHFUL SOULS, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. The souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness.

Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wonderous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Litany to the Divine Mercy 

Guide on how to recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet

 

How to Recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet

The Chaplet of Mercy is recited using ordinary Rosary beads of five decades. The Chaplet is preceded by two opening prayers from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska and followed by a closing prayer.

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1. Make the Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. Optional Opening Prayers

St. Faustina’s Prayer for Sinners
O Jesus, eternal Truth, our Life, I call upon You and I beg Your mercy for poor sinners. O sweetest Heart of my Lord, full of pity and unfathomable mercy, I plead with You for poor sinners. O Most Sacred Heart, Fount of Mercy from which gush forth rays of inconceivable graces upon the entire human race, I beg of You light for poor sinners. O Jesus, be mindful of Your own bitter Passion and do not permit the loss of souls redeemed at so dear a price of Your most precious Blood. O Jesus, when I consider the great price of Your Blood, I rejoice at its immensity, for one drop alone would have been enough for the salvation of all sinners. Although sin is an abyss of wickedness and ingratitude, the price paid for us can never be equalled. Therefore, let every soul trust in the Passion of the Lord, and place its hope in His mercy. God will not deny His mercy to anyone. Heaven and earth may change, but God's mercy will never be exhausted. Oh, what immense joy burns in my heart when I contemplate Your incomprehensible goodness, O Jesus! I desire to bring all sinners to Your feet that they may glorify Your mercy throughout endless ages (Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 72).

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 fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!

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 10 Small Beads of Each Decade

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

8. Repeat for the remaining decades

Saying the "Eternal Father" (6) on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (7) on the following "Hail Mary" beads.

9. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times)

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

10. Optional Closing Prayers

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.

O Greatly Merciful God, Infinite Goodness, today all mankind calls out from the abyss of its misery to Your mercy — to Your compassion, O God; and it is with its mighty voice of misery that it cries out. Gracious God, do not reject the prayer of this earth's exiles! O Lord, Goodness beyond our understanding, Who are acquainted with our misery through and through, and know that by our own power we cannot ascend to You, we implore You: anticipate us with Your grace and keep on increasing Your mercy in us, that we may faithfully do Your holy will all through our life and at death's hour. Let the omnipotence of Your mercy shield us from the darts of our salvation’s enemies, that we may with confidence, as Your children, await Your [Son’s] final coming — that day known to You alone. And we expect to obtain everything promised us by Jesus in spite of all our wretchedness. For Jesus is our Hope: through His merciful Heart, as through an open gate, we pass through to heaven (Diary, 1570).