Devotion to the Divine Mercy is a beautiful expression of faith that has been developed over the years by the Catholic Church. One way to practice this devotion is through the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a powerful prayer that is said at 3:00 pm every day, the hour in which Jesus died on the cross.
What is the Divine Mercy Chaplet?
The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a prayer that was revealed to St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who had visions of Jesus. The prayer is simple and consists of the recitation of the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Apostle’s Creed, followed by the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
The chaplet consists of a series of prayers that are said on a set of rosary beads. Each decade of the chaplet is started with the prayer, “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.” This is followed by the recitation of ten Hail Marys and the prayer, “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”
The chaplet is traditionally prayed in front of an image of the Divine Mercy, which depicts Jesus with rays of light emanating from His heart, symbolizing the mercy that flows from Him.
The Power of the Divine Mercy Chaplet
The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a powerful prayer that can bring peace and healing to those who pray it. It is a reminder of the great love that God has for us and His desire to forgive our sins.
One of the promises that Jesus made to St. Faustina regarding the Divine Mercy Chaplet was, “In the hour of their death, I will defend as My own glory every soul that will say this chaplet; or when others say it for a dying person, the indulgence is the same.”
This promise highlights the power of the chaplet in bringing comfort and solace to those who are facing the end of their lives. It is a beautiful way to offer comfort and support to those who are dying, helping them to feel the love and mercy of God in a tangible way.
How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
Praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet is easy and can be done by anyone. It is a great way to deepen one’s relationship with God and to experience the mercy and love of Jesus in a profound way.
Step 1: Begin with the Sign of the Cross
Before starting the Divine Mercy Chaplet, begin with the Sign of the Cross, saying, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Step 2: Say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Apostle’s Creed
On the first bead of the chaplet, say the Our Father, followed by the Hail Mary, and the Apostle’s Creed.
Step 3: Say the “Eternal Father” Prayer
On the next bead, say the prayer, “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.”
Step 4: Say the “Hail Mary” Prayer
On each of the following ten beads, say the Hail Mary.
Step 5: Say the “For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion” Prayer
After each Hail Mary, say the prayer, “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”
Step 6: Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for the Remaining Decades
Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the remaining decades of the chaplet, saying the “Eternal Father” prayer on each first bead and the Hail Mary and “For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion” prayer on each following ten beads.
Step 7: Concluding Prayers
After completing the chaplet, say the concluding prayers, which consist of the following:
- Three times, say the prayer, “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”
- Then say the 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.”
The Divine Mercy Chaplet Image
The image above is of the Divine Mercy with the image of the chaplet in the foreground. This image is a powerful reminder of the love and mercy of God that is available to us through the practice of this devotion.
The Importance of Prayer
Prayer is an important part of the Catholic faith and is a powerful way to deepen our relationship with God. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is one example of a powerful prayer that can bring comfort, healing, and peace to those who recite it.
By practicing this devotion and making it a regular part of our spiritual life, we can experience the power of God’s love and mercy in a profound way. Whether we are facing difficult times or simply seeking to grow closer to God, the Divine Mercy Chaplet can be a powerful tool to help us on our journey of faith.
So let us pray with faith and love, trusting in the infinite mercy of our loving God. For in Him alone, we find our hope and our salvation, both in this life and the next.
