Divine Mercy Chaplet

The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a relatively recent but very popular devotion revealed by Our Lord to Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun. On Good Friday 1937, Christ appeared to Saint Maria Faustina and asked her to recite this chaplet for nine days, starting on Good Friday and ending on the Octave of Easter (the Sunday after Easter Sunday), now known as Divine Mercy Sunday.
The chaplet is most often recited during those nine days, but it can be prayed at any time of the year, and Saint Maria Faustina recited it almost unceasingly. A standard rosary can be used to recite the chaplet .

Here's How:

1. Make the Sign of the Cross

   • The Sign of the Cross

2. Pray the Opening Prayers

   After making the Sign of the Cross, pray the following opening prayers. The second prayer is repeated three times:

   "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!" (three times)

3. Pray the Our Father

   • The Our Father

4. Pray the Hail Mary

   • The Hail Mary

5. Say the Apostles' Creed

   • The Apostles' Creed

6. Pray the Prayer "Eternal Father"

   On the Our Father bead before each decade, pray the following prayer:
   

   "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. Amen."

7. Pray the Prayer "For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion" Ten Times

   On each of the Hail Mary beads in each decade, pray the following prayer:
   

   "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."

8. Repeat Steps 6 and 7

   On each of the next four decades of the Chaplet, repeat steps 6 and 7 (pray the Eternal Father, followed by ten "For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion").

9. Pray the Concluding Doxology Three Times

   After you have prayed all five decades of the Chaplet, pray the following prayer, which is repeated three times:
   

   "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world." (three times)

10. Pray the Closing Prayer

    After the doxology, pray the following final 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."

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The Divine Mercy novena began as a private devotion which Our Lord revealed to Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. The words of the prayers were dictated by Christ Himself to Saint Faustina, and Saint Faustina recorded in her diary Our Lord's instructions for each day's prayer.
Christ asked Saint Faustina to recite the novena starting on Good Friday and ending on Divine Mercy Sunday, the Octave of Easter (the Sunday after Easter Sunday). The novena can recited at any time of the year, however, and it is often accompanied by the Divine Mercy Chaplet, which Our Lord also revealed to Saint Faustina.

The Divine Mercy Novena

First Day:

For the first day of the Divine Mercy novena, Christ asked Saint Faustina to pray for the sake of all mankind, especially sinners. She recorded the following words of Our Lord in her diary: "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."

Prayer for the First Day of the Divine Mercy Novena

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 unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon 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:

For the second day, Christ asked Saint Faustina to pray for the sake of priests, monks, and nuns. She recorded the following words of Our Lord in her diary: "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."

Prayer for the Second Day of the Divine Mercy Novena

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 that 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 salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.

Third Day:

For the third day, Christ asked Saint Faustina to pray for the sake of all the faithful. She recorded the following words of Our Lord in her diary: "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 a drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness."

Prayer for the Third Day of the Divine Mercy Novena

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:

For the fourth day, Christ asked Saint Faustina to pray for the sake of all those who do not believe in God and those who do not know Christ. She recorded the following words of Our Lord in her diary: "Today bring to Me those who do not believe in God and those who do not 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."

Prayer for the Fourth Day of the Divine Mercy Novena

Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole 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:

For the fifth day, Christ asked Saint Faustina to pray for the sake of all those who, while Christians, have separated themselves from the Roman Catholic Church. She recorded the following words of Our Lord in her diary: "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."

Prayer for the Fifth Day of the Divine Mercy Novena

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 errors. 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:

For the sixth day, Christ asked Saint Faustina to pray for the sake of all little children and the meek and humble. She recorded the following words of Our Lord in her diary: "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 will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence."

Prayer for the Sixth Day of the Divine Mercy Novena

Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, "Learn from Me for 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 a 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 closest 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:

For the seventh day, Christ asked Saint Faustina to pray for the sake of all those most devoted to His mercy. She recorded the following words of Our Lord in her diary: "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."

Prayer for the Seventh Day of the Divine Mercy Novena

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 the 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:

For the eighth day, Saint Faustina recorded these words of Christ: "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."

Prayer for the Eighth Day of the Divine Mercy Novena

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 put 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:

For the ninth day, Christ asked Saint Faustina to pray for the sake of all the souls who have become lukewarm in their belief. She recorded the following words of Our Lord in her diary: "Today bring to Me the 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."

Prayer for the Ninth Day of the Divine Mercy Novena

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.

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The Rosary

The use of beads or knotted ropes to count large numbers of prayers comes from the earliest days of Christianity, but the rosary as we know it today emerged in the second thousand years of Church history. The full rosary consists of 150 Hail Marys, divided into three sets of 50, which are further divided into five sets of 10 (a decade).
Traditionally, the rosary is divided into three sets of mysteries: Joyful (recited on Monday and Saturday); Sorrowful (Tuesday and Friday, and Sunday during Lent); Glorious (Wednesday and Sunday from Easter until Advent); and Luminous(recited on Thursday).

Here's How:

1. Make the Sign of the Cross

   • The Sign of the Cross

2. Recite the Apostles' Creed

   On the crucifix, recite The Apostles' Creed.

3. Pray the Our Father

   On the first bead above the crucifix, recite The Our Father.

4. Pray the Hail Mary Three Times

   On the next three beads, recite The Hail Mary.

5. Pray the Glory Be

   • The Glory Be

6. Announce the First Mystery of the Rosary

   Announce the appropriate Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious or Luminous mystery for that decade of the rosary.

7. Pray the Our Father

   On the single bead, pray The Our Father.

8. Pray the Hail Mary Ten Times

   On the next ten beads, pray The Hail Mary.

9. Pray the Glory Be

   • The Glory Be

10. Pray the Fatima Prayer

    The Fatima Prayer was given to the three shepherd children at Fatima by Our Lady, who asked that they recite it at the end of each decade of the rosary.

11. Repeat Steps 5-9 for the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Decades

12. Pray the Hail Holy Queen

    • Hail Holy Queen

13. Pray for the Intentions of the Holy Father

    Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be for the intentions of the Holy Father.

14. Conclude With the Sign of the Cross

    • The Sign of the Cross

Tips:

1. For public or communal recitation, a leader should announce each mystery and pray the first half of each prayer. The others praying the rosary should respond with the second half of each prayer.

What You Need:

• A standard rosary (five decades) or a rosary bracelet (one decade)

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The Guardian Angel Prayer

Each one of us has a guardian angel who protects us from harm, both physical and spiritual. In this prayer, traditionally one of the first that young children learn, we ask our guardian angel to watch over us.

The Guardian Angel Prayer

"Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom His love entrusts me here, ever this day  be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen."

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Grace After Meals

Catholics rarely pray Grace After Meals these days, but it is a prayer that is well worth reviving. While Grace Before Meals asks God for His blessing, Grace After Meals is a prayer of thanksgiving.

Grace After Meals

"We give You thanks O Lord, for all your gifts which we have received from Your goodness through Christ our Lord. Amen."

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Grace Before Meals

Every good thing we have comes from God, and that is why we offer Grace Before Meals, to acknowledge our dependence on Him and to ask Him to bless us and our food.
We should also offer thanksgiving for the food that we have received by praying the Grace After Meals.

Grace Before Meals

"Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen."

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The Act of Contrition

The Act of Contrition is usually associated with the Sacrament of Confession, but Catholics should also pray it every day as part of their normal prayer life. In it, we acknowledge our sins, ask God for forgiveness, and express our desire to repent.

The Act of Contrition

"O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven, and the pains of Hell; but most of all because I love Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen."

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Fatima Prayer

The Decade Prayer for the rosary, commonly known as the Fatima Prayer, was revealed by Our Lady of Fatima on July 13, 1917. She asked the three shepherd children, Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia, to recite it at the end of each decade of the rosary. It was approved for public use in 1930.

The Fatima Prayer

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls into heaven especially those who are in most need of thy mercy.

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Hail Holy Queen

The Hail Holy Queen (also commonly known by its Latin name, the Salve Regina) is one of four special anthems to the Mother of God that have traditionally been part of the Liturgy of the Hours, and which vary depending on the season.    

 

This prayer is also commonly said at the end of the rosary, in morning prayers, and during the prayers at the end of a Low Mass in the Traditional Latin Mass.

Hail Holy Queen

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! Hail our life, our sweetness and our hope! To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate your eyes of mercy towards us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.


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Apostle’s Creed

The Apostles' Creed is a brief statement of the fundamental Christian beliefs. It is a profession of faith, like the Nicene Creed used at Mass. Tradition tells us that the Apostles' Creed was handed down from the Apostles themselves. It is likely that it was first written down, however, sometime after the Apostolic age.

The Apostles' 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, 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.

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Glory Be

The Glory Be, also known as the Doxology, is one of the earliest-known prayers to refer to the Holy Trinity.

The Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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Hail Mary

The first half of the Hail Mary is straight out of the Bible. The part before the semicolon is the angel Gabriel's greeting to the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation, when he told her that she had been chosen by God to bear His Son, Jesus Christ (Luke 1:28). And the words after the semicolon were uttered by St. Elizabeth, the cousin of the Blessed Virgin, when St. Mary came to visit her and St. Elizabeth felt St. John the Baptist leap in her womb (Luke 1:42).

The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

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Our Lord’s Prayer

The Our Father is the oldest of Christian prayers, going back to Jesus Christ himself, who, in Matthew 6:9-13, taught his disciples to pray in these words. Because the prayer came from Christ, it is used in every Mass, and we should pray it daily.

The Our Father

Our Father in heaven, holy be your name. Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Do not bring us to the test but deliver us from evil. Amen.

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Sign of the Cross

 The Sign of the Cross is a prayer itself, we make the Sign of the Cross before and after our prayers. It should be said with reverence; we shouldn't rush through it on the way to the next prayer.

Using your right hand, you should touch your forehead at the mention of the Father; the lower middle of your chest at the mention of the Son; and the left shoulder on the word "Holy" and the right shoulder on the word "Spirit."

The Sign of the Cross

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

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The Six Precepts of the Church

1. You shall attend mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.
2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
3. You shall humbly receive your creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter season.
4. You shall keep holy the holy days of obligation.
5. You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.
6. You shall provide for the needs of the Church.

Ten Commandments

1. I am the Lord your God: You shall not have strange gods before me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day.
4. Honor your father and your mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.