How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
Pray the chaplet given to St. Faustina Kowalska using ordinary rosary beads
The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a prayer given by Jesus to St. Faustina Kowalska in a vision in Vilnius in 1935. St. Faustina was serving at her convent there when she received this revelation. In her spiritual diary, titled "Divine Mercy in My Soul," she recorded that Jesus asked her to pray this chaplet for the whole world, promising extraordinary graces to those who recite it, especially at the hour of death. Jesus also asked that an image be painted with the inscription "Jesus, I Trust in You," which has become one of the most recognized images in Catholic devotion.
The chaplet is prayed on ordinary rosary beads and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. A "decade" on the rosary means a group of ten small beads. The chaplet is traditionally prayed at 3:00 PM, the Hour of Mercy, recalling the hour when Jesus died on the Cross. However, it can be prayed at any time.
The central theme of the chaplet is trusting in God's mercy. The repeated prayer, "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world," places the merits of Christ's suffering before the Father as a plea for mercy. Pope John Paul II, who canonized St. Faustina on April 30, 2000, was deeply devoted to the Divine Mercy message and established Divine Mercy Sunday for the universal Church.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Make the Sign of the Cross
Begin by making the Sign of the Cross. You may also pray an opening prayer asking God to help you trust in His mercy.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Optional Opening Prayers
Many people begin with the "You expired, Jesus" prayer, though this is optional. It sets the tone of the chaplet by focusing on Christ's death and the mercy that flowed from His side.
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. 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)
Pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Apostles' Creed
On the first three beads of the rosary (or using the crucifix and introductory beads), pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Apostles' Creed. These prayers prepare your heart for the chaplet.
On each Our Father bead, pray the Eternal Father prayer
On the large bead before each decade, pray the Eternal Father offering. This prayer offers the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ to the 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.
On each Hail Mary bead, pray "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion"
On each of the ten small beads, pray the following short prayer. This is the heart of the chaplet. Repeat it ten times on each decade.
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Repeat for all five decades
Continue the pattern through all five decades of the rosary: the Eternal Father prayer on each large bead, and "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" ten times on the small beads.
Pray the closing "Holy God" prayer three times
After completing all five decades, conclude the chaplet by praying the Holy God (Trisagion) prayer 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
You may close with this prayer of trust, or simply spend a moment in silence, resting in God's mercy.
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.
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How to Pray Using the ACTS Method
Structure your prayer time with Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication
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DAILY SCRIPTURE
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PRAYER JOURNAL
Reflect after every prayer.
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APP BLOCKING
Pray before you scroll.
DAILY SCRIPTURE
From 3 Christian traditions.
PRAYER JOURNAL
Reflect after every prayer.
Build a habit around praying & spend less time on social media.
