A BRIEF HISTORY OF DIVINE MERCY DEVOTIONS
On February 22, 1931 Our Lord Jesus appeared to Sister Faustina, a Sister of Our Lady of Mercy, Crakow, Poland. In Sister Faustina’s diary under this date she wrote: … I became aware of the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand was raised in blessing; the other was touching the garment at the breast. From the opening in the garment at the breast came forth two large rays, one red, and the other pale. I gazed intently at the Lord; my soul was overwhelmed with fear, but also with great joy. Jesus said to me: “Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the inscription: Jesus, I trust in You.” Jesus called for a Feast of the Divine Mercy to be celebrated in the whole Church. He said to Sister Faustina, “I want this image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter. On that day the depths of My Mercy will be open to all. Whoever will go to Confession and Holy Communion on that day will receive complete forgiveness of sin and punishment. Mankind will not enjoy peace until it turns with confidence to My Mercy.” Sister Faustina (Helen Kowalska) died Oct. 5, 1938 at age 33. On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 30, 2000, she was canonized Saint Faustina by Pope John Paul II. At the same time, he also declared the first Sunday after Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday.
To earn a Plenary Indulgence on this day, granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. “Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!”).
To earn a Partial Indulgence on this day, granted to the faithful who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation.
On February 22, 1931 Our Lord Jesus appeared to Sister Faustina, a Sister of Our Lady of Mercy, Crakow, Poland. In Sister Faustina’s diary under this date she wrote: … I became aware of the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand was raised in blessing; the other was touching the garment at the breast. From the opening in the garment at the breast came forth two large rays, one red, and the other pale. I gazed intently at the Lord; my soul was overwhelmed with fear, but also with great joy. Jesus said to me: “Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the inscription: Jesus, I trust in You.” Jesus called for a Feast of the Divine Mercy to be celebrated in the whole Church. He said to Sister Faustina, “I want this image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter. On that day the depths of My Mercy will be open to all. Whoever will go to Confession and Holy Communion on that day will receive complete forgiveness of sin and punishment. Mankind will not enjoy peace until it turns with confidence to My Mercy.” Sister Faustina (Helen Kowalska) died Oct. 5, 1938 at age 33. On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 30, 2000, she was canonized Saint Faustina by Pope John Paul II. At the same time, he also declared the first Sunday after Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday.
To earn a Plenary Indulgence on this day, granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. “Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!”).
To earn a Partial Indulgence on this day, granted to the faithful who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation.
DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET PRAYERS: Jesus said “This prayer will serve to appease My wrath. You will recite it on the beads of the rosary in the following manner: First of all, you will say one Our Father and Hail Mary and the I Believe in God. Then on the Our Father beads you will say the following words: “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 the Hail Mary beads you will say the following words: “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” In conclusion, three times you will recite these words: “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” (Quoted from Sister Faustina’s Diary, Entry No. 476)
The Lord asked that the above Chaplet be prayed at 3:00 pm each day, and especially at the hour of ones’ death (Diary, 687) or in the presence of the dying. Jesus said, “I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as a judge but as the merciful Savior. (Diary, 1541) Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite the chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite Mercy. (Diary, 687) …Through the Chaplet, you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My Will. (Diary, 1731)
The above Chaplet should be prayed year around, but the Lord specifically asked that it be combined with the following nine day prayers as a NOVENA and prayed beginning on Good Friday and ending on Divine Mercy Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter.
NOVENA PRAYERS (Each daily prayer is to be said along with the above Chaplet for 9 days, beginning on Good Friday)
Day 1 Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My Mercy. In this way you console Me, in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me.
Day 2 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.
Day 3 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.
Day 4 Today bring to Me the pagans and those who do not yet know Me. I was thinking of them also during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My Mercy.
Day 5 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 turn to unity with the Church, My Wounds heal, since they too are enclosed in My Most Compassionate Heart.
Day 6 Today bring to Me the meek and humble 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 earthly angels, who will keep vigils at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of Grace, which only the humble soul is able to receive. I favor humble souls with My confidence.
Day 7 Today bring to Me the souls who especially venerate and glorify My Mercy and immerse them in 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.
Day 8 Today bring to Me those souls who are detained in the prison of Purgatory and immerse them in the abyss of My Mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. 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.
Day 9 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 lukewarm souls, the last hope of salvation is to flee to My Mercy.
The Lord asked that the above Chaplet be prayed at 3:00 pm each day, and especially at the hour of ones’ death (Diary, 687) or in the presence of the dying. Jesus said, “I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as a judge but as the merciful Savior. (Diary, 1541) Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite the chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite Mercy. (Diary, 687) …Through the Chaplet, you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My Will. (Diary, 1731)
The above Chaplet should be prayed year around, but the Lord specifically asked that it be combined with the following nine day prayers as a NOVENA and prayed beginning on Good Friday and ending on Divine Mercy Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter.
NOVENA PRAYERS (Each daily prayer is to be said along with the above Chaplet for 9 days, beginning on Good Friday)
Day 1 Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My Mercy. In this way you console Me, in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me.
Day 2 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.
Day 3 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.
Day 4 Today bring to Me the pagans and those who do not yet know Me. I was thinking of them also during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My Mercy.
Day 5 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 turn to unity with the Church, My Wounds heal, since they too are enclosed in My Most Compassionate Heart.
Day 6 Today bring to Me the meek and humble 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 earthly angels, who will keep vigils at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of Grace, which only the humble soul is able to receive. I favor humble souls with My confidence.
Day 7 Today bring to Me the souls who especially venerate and glorify My Mercy and immerse them in 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.
Day 8 Today bring to Me those souls who are detained in the prison of Purgatory and immerse them in the abyss of My Mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. 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.
Day 9 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 lukewarm souls, the last hope of salvation is to flee to My Mercy.
