Novena of Divine Mercy
April 11, 1993
Brother John Raymond
Some time ago I was asked to write an article on the history of
Divine Mercy for a Catholic newspaper. I think Easter Sunday is a
very appropriate time to talk about God's mercy.
We are all called to imitate the mercy of Jesus. Our world today
passes many judgements upon people. But anyone, no matter what they
may have done, can be saved by the mercy of God. Our Lady of Fatima
said in 1917 that souls go to Hell because they have no one to pray
for them. What does this mean for us? It means that we have to pray
for those people who may hurt us or who we hear about hurting
others. For these people we should pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
which was revealed by Our Lord to St. Faustina. This prayer is
especially important to obtain mercy for those who are dying.
Here is how to recite the Chaplet: Begin with one Our Father, one
Hail Mary and the Apostles' Creed. Then on the large beads of the
rosary say, "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 small
beads say, "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us
and on the whole world." Repeat these prayers throughout all five
decades. At the conclusion of the chaplet say three times, "Holy
God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the
whole world."
If one really wants to embrace the whole world in the merciful
love of Jesus one would do well to also pray the Novena of Mercy
revealed to St. Faustina. Our Lord asked especially that one pray
this Novena starting on Good Friday and ending on the day before
Mercy Sunday (the Sunday after Easter). Here are the Novena prayers
which we should pray along with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy:
First Day - "Today, bring to 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."
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 the strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them, as
through channels, My mercy flows out upon mankind."
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."
Fourth Day - "Today bring to Me those who do not believe in Me
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."
Fifth Day - "Today bring to Me the souls of the separated
bretheren 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."
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 earthly Angels who would keep vigil at
My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the
humble soul is able to receive My grace. I favor humble souls with
My confidence."
Seventh Day - "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 particularily defend
each one of them at the hour of death."
Eighth Day - "Today bring to Me the souls who are 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. 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."
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 flee to My mercy."
Let us remember to tell everyone about the Second Sunday
of Easter being Mercy Sunday. Jesus said to St. Faustina,
"I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all
souls, and especially for poor sinners." On that day "the soul that
will go to Confession [this can be eight days before or after the
Feast] and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete
forgiveness of sins and punishment."
Let us be apostles of mercy this Easter Season by refraining from
passing judgement on others and do something positive for them -
pray!
All quotes are from "Devotion to The Divine Mercy" published by
Marian Helpers, Eden Hill, Stockbridge MA 01263.