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All numbers in square brackets [] are references to the paragraph
numbers in Blessed Faustina's Diary
In 1931 Our Lord appeared to Blessed Faustina in a vision. She saw Jesus
clothed in a white garment with His right hand raised in blessing. His left hand
was touching His garment in the area of the heart, from where two large rays
came forth., one red and the other pale. She gazed intently at the Lord in
silence, her soul was filled with awe, but also with great joy. Jesus said to
her:
"Paint an image according to the pattern you see with the signature: Jesus I
trust in You ... I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not
perish. I also promise victory over enemies already here on earth, especially at
the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory [47, 48] ... I am
offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the
fountain of mercy. That vessel is this image with the signature: "Jesus I
trust in You" [327] ... I desire that this image be venerated, first in your
chapel, and throughout the world. [47]."
At the request of her spiritual director, Blessed Faustina asked the Lord
about the meaning of the rays in the image. She heard these words in reply"
"The two rays denote the Blood and Water. The pale ray stands for the Water
which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life
of the souls. These two rays issued forth from the depths of My tender mercy
when My agonized Heart was opened by the lance on the Cross ... Happy is the one
who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of
him [299] ... By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls. It is
to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy, because even the strongest of faith
is of no avail without works [742]."
The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy [476]
The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy is said on regular rosary
beads.
It is prayed in the following order.
- 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.
- 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.
- Apostle's Creed
- I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I
believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power
of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius
Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the
third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right
hand of the Father. He will come again 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 Large Bead before each Decade
- 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 world.
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- Once on each of the Ten Small Beads
- For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.
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- Concluding Doxology (after five decades repeat three times)
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and the whole
world.
The Novena to the Divine Mercy [1200-1229]
It is greatly recommended that the following novena intentions and prayers be
said together with the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, since Our Lord specifically
asked for a novena of Chaplets, especially before the "Feast
of Mercy".
First Day
"Today bring me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in
the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into
which the loss of souls plunges me."
- Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to
forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your
infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate
Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which
unties You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
- Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon
your poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For
the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the
omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.
Second Day
"Today bring to Me the souls of priests and religious, and immerse them in
My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me strength to endure My bitter
Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind."
- Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace
in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works
of mercy; and all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.
- Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in
Your vineyard --- upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with
the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which
they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to
guide others in the way of Your salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your
boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.
Third Day
"Today bring to me all devout and faithful souls, and immerse them in the
ocean of My mercy. These 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 wondrous 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.
Fourth Day
"Today bring to Me those who do not believe in God 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 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.
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 error. 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.
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 earthy 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 that 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
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 closes 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.
Seventh Day
"Today bring to Me the souls who especially venerate and glorify 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 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.
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
pour 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.
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.
The Divine Mercy Stations
- A. Begin each Station with the following
- 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.
- B. Pause briefly, meditating on the Passion of Jesus. Then say the
first invocation given below.
- For the sake of His institution of the Eucharist as the memorial of His
Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
- For the sake of His agony in the Garden, have mercy on us and on the whole
world.
- For the sake of His being scourged and crowned with thorns, have mercy on us
and on the whole world.
- For the sake of His being condemned to death, have mercy on us and on the
whole world.
- For the sake of His carrying the Cross, have mercy on us and on the whole
world.
- For the sake of His falling under the weight of the cross, have mercy on us
and on the whole world.
- For the sake of His meeting His afflicted Mother, have mercy on us and on
the whole world.
- For the sake of His accepting help in carrying the Cross, have mercy on us
and on the whole world.
- For the sake of His receiving mercy from Veronica, have mercy on us and on
the whole world.
- For the sake of His consoling the women, have mercy on us and on the whole
world.
- For the sake of His being stripped, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
- For the sake of His being crucified, have mercy on us and on the whole
world.
- For the sake of His death on the Cross, have mercy on us and on the whole
world.
- For the sake of His being buried, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
- For the sake of His being raised from the dead, have mercy on us and on the
whole world.
- C. Repeat steps A and B for all fifteen of the
invocations.
- D. Repeat the following three times
- Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us and on the
whole world.
Selected Prayers
The Hour of Great Mercy - 3:00 p.m.
- You expired Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the
ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fountain of Life, unfathomable
Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. [1319]
or
- O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain
of mercy for us, I trust in You. [73]
Blessed Faustina's Praises of the Divine Mercy [948-949]
- 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 Heart,
I Trust in You.
- Divine Mercy, in the founding of 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 of 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.
- 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.
[950]
To The Divine Mercy
- I fly to Your mercy, Compassionate God, who alone are good. Although my
misery is great and my offenses are many, I trust in Your mercy, because You are
the God of mercy; and, from time immemorial, it has never been heard of, nor do
heaven or earth remember, that a soul trusting in Your mercy has been
disappointed.
- O God of compassion, You alone can justify me and You will never reject me
when I, contrite, approach Your Merciful Heart, where no one has ever been
refused, even if he were the greatest sinner [1730] ... [For Your Son assured
me:] "Sooner would heaven and earth turn into nothingness than would My mercy
fail to embrace a trusting soul" [1777].
- Jesus, Friend of a lonely heart, You are my haven, Your are my peace. You
are my salvation, You are my serenity in moments of struggle and amidst an ocean
of doubts. You are the bright ray that lights up the path of my life. You are
everything to a lonely soul. You understand the soul even though it remains
silent. You know our weaknesses and, like a good physician, You comfort and
heal, sparing us sufferings --- expert that You are [247].
In Thanksgiving [1794]
- O Jesus, eternal God, I thank You for Your countless graces and blessings.
Let every beat of my heart be a new hymn of thanksgiving to You, O God. Let
every drop of my blood circulate for You, Lord. My soul is one hymn in adoration
of Your mercy. I love you, God, for Yourself alone.
The Feast of Mercy
The Diary of Blessed Faustina contains over one dozen passages in which Jesus
Christ has requested that the "Feast of Mercy" be officially established
by the Church. Below are some excerpts from the diary:
- This Feast emerged from the very depths of My mercy, and it is confirmed in
the vast depths of My tender mercies [420] ... It is My desire that it be
solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter ... I desire that the Feast
of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners.
On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole
ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fountain of My mercy [699].
Promise of Mercy
The diary reads as follows in regards to "Promise of Mercy":
- I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession
and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of my Mercy [1109].
- Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete
forgiveness of sins and punishment [300].
- The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion will obtain
complete forgiveness of sins and punishment [699].
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