The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a prayer revealed by Jesus to Saint Faustina Kowalska, a twentieth-century Polish nun canonised in 2000. Jesus entrusted this prayer to her so that it would be a source of graces for everyone, especially sinners, the dying, wounded souls and the whole world.
This simple prayer, accessible to everyone, is based on a structure similar to the Rosary. It can be recited at any time, but is particularly recommended at 3pm, the hour of Christ's death on the Cross, known as the Hour of Mercy.
Jesus promised that souls who recite this rosary will receive graces, peace, consolation, forgiveness and even protection at the hour of death.
The preparations: an available and trusting heart
Before beginning the prayer, it is essential to:
Put yourself in God's presence, in inner silence.
Offer an intention: for yourself, a loved one, a sick person, souls in purgatory, priests, sinners, or the whole world.
Unite with Christ crucified, in a spirit of trust and mercy.
The rosary can be done alone or in a group, at home, in a church, on public transport or at the bedside of a sick person.
Material: a simple Catholic rosary
Prayer is done with a traditional rosary, made up of five decades (as for the Rosary), with the same grains. The recitation follows a precise structure, made up of repeated prayers and meditations.
Steps of the Divine Mercy rosary
1. The Sign of the Cross
Make the sign of the cross by saying:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. Introductory prayers
On the first three beads (at the top of the rosary), recite:
1 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. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
1 Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us poor sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
1 Creed (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 of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried,
descended into hell, on the third day rose from the dead,
ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
from which 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 remission of sins,
the resurrection of the flesh, and eternal life. Amen.
3. The five decades of the rosary
On each large bead (those of the "Our Father"), say:
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in reparation for our sins and those of the whole world.
On each little bead (those of the "Hail Mary's"), say:
By His sorrowful Passion, be merciful to us and to the whole world.
→ This prayer is repeated ten times for each ten.
This sequence is repeated for the five tens, making a total of fifty invocations of the Passion of Christ.
4. Conclusion of the rosary
At the end of the five tens, say three times:
Holy God, Strong God, Eternal God, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Final prayers (optional)
It is possible to conclude with the prayer that Jesus taught Sister Faustina:
"O Blood and Water which flowed from the Heart of Jesus as a source of mercy for us, I trust in You." (to be said 3 times)
And by the jaculatory:
"Jesus, I trust in You."
The promises connected with the rosary
Jesus made many promises to those who recite this rosary with faith and trust:
Grace of conversion for hardened sinners.
Peace of soul and confidence even as death approaches.
Power of intercession for the dying.
Protection from divine wrath for those who pray on behalf of the world.
He said to Saint Faustina:
"At the hour of death, I will defend as My own glory every soul who recites this rosary."
In conclusion: a prayer for everyone and for ever
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a path of consolation, a refuge in the storm, a school of trust and compassion. It can be prayed at any time of day, in any circumstance, whether in joy, sorrow, intercession or thanksgiving.
Through this prayer, the Heart of Jesus opens up, offering all humanity an ocean of love and forgiveness. All it takes is a sincere heart, even a wounded one, to plunge into it.
"Jesus, I trust in You."
