This prayer emphasizes the unfathomable love of Jesus, particularly as revealed through His Passion and the cross. It is especially powerful when prayed at 3 PM, the Hour of Mercy, commemorating the moment of Christ’s death.
This guide will cover the chaplet’s history, steps, and tips to make it a meaningful part of your faith. Let’s embrace this extraordinary devotion together! Let’s embrace this extraordinary devotion together!
- The History of the Divine Mercy Chaplet
- Why We Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
- Pray with Fr. Mark-Mary and Fr. Pierre Toussaint
- Praying the Divine Mercy Step-by-Step
- Three Tips for Praying the Chaplet
- Pray With Us
PRINTABLE GUIDE
The History of the Divine Mercy Chaplet
The Divine Mercy Chaplet originates from private revelations to Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun and mystic.
In 1935, she received a vision instructing her to promote God’s mercy and teach the chaplet. This prayer, meant to invoke God’s mercy, is especially encouraged at 3 pm, the Hour of Mercy.
After her death in 1938, the chaplet gained widespread recognition, especially after Pope John Paul II canonized Saint Faustina in 2000 and established the Feast of Divine Mercy, celebrated on the Sunday after Easter.
“There is nothing that man needs more than Divine Mercy – that love which is benevolent, which is compassionate, which raises man above his weakness to the infinite heights of the holiness of God.”
–St. John Paul II
Why We Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed for:
- Invoking God’s Mercy: A prayer of atonement and intercession, asking for mercy on us and the whole world.
- Fulfilling Jesus’ Request: Jesus asked Saint Faustina to promote this chaplet, promising great graces for those who trust in His mercy.
- Personal and Global Healing: Prayed for personal, global, and spiritual healing, especially for the dying, souls in purgatory, and those needing conversion and peace.
Pray with Fr. Mark-Mary and Fr. Pierre Toussaint
Join Fr. Mark-Mary and Fr. Pierre Toussaint as they pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. You can follow along with the step-by-step breakdown of praying the Divine Mercy detailed below.
Praying the Divine Mercy Step-by-Step:
What You’ll Need:
- A Rosary: Although it uses the beads of a Rosary, the prayers differ from the traditional Rosary.
- Quiet Environment: Find a quiet place to focus without interruptions.
Downloadable Guides:
Divine Mercy Rosary Guide
Divine Mercy Step-by-Step
Divine Mercy Prayers
Opening Prayer
1. On the first large bead, begin with the Sign of the Cross:
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
2. On the second bead, pray the prayer of St. Faustina 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!” (Repeat three times)
3. On the first bead, pray the 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. On the next bead, pray the Hail Mary:
“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
Blessed art thou among 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. On the next large bead, pray 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.”
Praying the Decades
6. On the large bead before each decade, pray:
“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 each of the ten small beads of the decade, pray:
“For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”
8. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for all five decades.
Closing Prayer
9. After finishing all five rounds, pray the following three times:
“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.”
10. End by making the Sign of the Cross:
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Three Tips for Praying the Chaplet
The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a powerful expression of trust in God’s mercy, offering grace and healing to those who faithfully pray it.
Follow these simple tips for incorporating the chaplet into your prayer life:
- Consistency: Try to pray the chaplet daily, ideally at 3 pm, the Hour of Mercy.
- Meditation: Focus and meditate on the passion of Christ and His mercy.
- Community: Pray the Chaplet with others to strengthen your faith and communal spirit.
Creative Ways to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
While the Divine Mercy Chaplet is a beautiful standalone prayer, there are many creative ways to incorporate it into your daily life:
1. Pray It During a Walk:
- Use the rhythm of your steps as a meditative backdrop for the chaplet.
- Focus on offering your surroundings—neighbors, nature, and the world—to God’s mercy.
2. Make It a Family Tradition:
- Pray together as a family, with each person leading a decade.
- Use this time to teach younger members about God’s mercy and intercession.
3. Pair It with a Journal:
- Write down specific intentions before praying each decade.
- Reflect on how God’s mercy has been evident in your life.
4. Pray It for Specific Intentions:
- Offer the chaplet for intentions such as healing, conversion, peace in the world, or for loved ones in purgatory.
- Dedicate each decade to a particular group, like the sick, the dying, or those struggling with faith.
Incorporate Music:
- Sing or listen to a sung version of the chaplet. There are many beautiful renditions available online.
Pray With Us
Share your prayer intentions with us to pray for during our daily Mass and Chaplet of Divine Mercy at our support center.
Did you know you can also join the FOCUS community of missionaries and benefactors in praying the Rosary each month? Sign up to join here.
Additional Resources
Head to the Divine Mercy official website, which includes prayers, resources, and reflections. EWTN also offers videos, articles, and live chaplet recordings that can really help in making your prayer time special.
A couple mobile apps that are a must-have when praying the Divine Mercy, are the Divine Mercy App and Laudate.
Check out our other guides to: the Rosary, Lectio Divina, Consecration to St. Joseph, and intercessory prayer.
And find out How Divine Mercy Can Change Your Life.
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