Divine Mercy Novena
The novena leads us more deeply into the mystery of Divine Mercy, and it is meant to be connected in a special way with the Feast of Mercy. Sister Faustina wrote: “The Novena to the Divine Mercy, which Jesus told me to write down and to make before the Feast of Mercy, begins on Good Friday.” The Lord set out the intentions for which she was to make it: “I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the fountain of My mercy, that they may draw from it strength and refreshment and whatever grace they need in the hardships of life and, especially, at the hour of death. On each day you will bring to My Heart a different group of souls, and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy…
You will do this all your life and in eternity. On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My bitter Passion, for graces for these souls.” She answered: “Jesus, how is this novena to be made? Which souls should I bring first to Your most compassionate Heart?” And the answer came: “I will tell you each day.” The Divine Mercy Novena spread by Sister Faustina may be prayed at any time of the year. But the preferred time, according to the Redeemer’s wish, begins on Good Friday and ends on Divine Mercy Sunday (the Second Sunday of Easter). Sister Faustina wrote about this: “Jesus told me to make this novena before the Feast of Mercy, and today, Good Friday, I am to begin it for the conversion of the whole world, so that it may come to know Divine Mercy and all souls may praise his goodness.” And the Lord said: “I long for great trust on the part of My creatures…
Let the poor soul not be afraid to come near, even if its sins are as many as the grains of sand on the earth, for all will be washed clean in the depths of My tenderness.” On the Feast of Divine Mercy that followed this novena, April 9, 1937, the sister’s soul was drawn into the depths of God and mysteriously united with the three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity: “My soul was flooded with a joy beyond compare, and the Lord made known to me the vastness and depth of his mercy. Oh, if only souls would understand how much God loves them! All comparisons, even the most tender and powerful, are only pale shadows next to the reality.”
First Day
Let us ask mercy for all people, and especially for sinners.
Words of Our Lord: “Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will turn into sweetness the bitterness into which the loss of souls plunges Me.”
Most merciful Jesus, whose very nature is mercy and forgiveness, do not look upon our sins but upon the trust we place in your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the dwelling of your most compassionate Heart, and never let anyone be cast out of it. We beg this of you by the love that unites you to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Our Father… Hail Mary… The Creed…
How to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
On the Our Father beads, 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 Hail Mary beads, say:
For the sake of his sorrowful Passion,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.
At the end, say three times:
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Then the litany (below). (Do the same on each of the other days.)
Then say: “O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of mercy for us, we trust in you.”
Closing prayer:
Eternal Father, look with eyes of mercy on all people, and especially on poor sinners, whose only hope is the most compassionate Heart of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, show us your mercy, so that we may all praise your power for ever. Amen.
Second Day
Let us pray for priests and religious, through whom Divine Mercy flows down upon humanity.
Words of Our Lord: “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.”
Most merciful Jesus, source of all that is good, multiply your graces in the souls of your priests and of your men and women religious, so that they may perform worthily and fruitfully the works of mercy, and lead their neighbour, by word and example, to glorify the Father of mercies who is in heaven, to whom all glory is due.
Our Father… Hail Mary… The Creed…
Then the whole Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the litany.
Eternal Father, look with eyes of mercy on the chosen ones of your vineyard, the priests and religious, and fill them with the fullness of your blessing. For the sake of the merits of your Son’s Heart, grant them light and strength, so that they may lead the faithful on the path of salvation and glorify with them your infinite mercy. Amen.
Third Day
Let us pray for all devout and faithful Christians.
Words of Our Lord: “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, who grant your graces abundantly from the treasury of your mercy, receive all faithful Christians into the dwelling of your most compassionate Heart, and never let them leave it. We beg this of you by the inconceivable love with which your Heart burns for the heavenly Father.
Our Father… Hail Mary… The Creed…
Then the whole Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the litany.
Eternal Father, look with eyes of mercy on the devotion of the faithful, the heritage of your Son. For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, grant them your blessing and surround them with your constant protection, so that they may not lose love and the treasure of the holy faith, but may praise your infinite mercy with the choirs of angels and saints for ever and ever. Amen.
Fourth Day
Let us pray for those who do not believe in God and those who do not yet know Divine Mercy.
Words of Our Lord: “Today bring to Me the pagans and those who do not yet know Me. I was thinking of them too during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.”
Most merciful Jesus, Light of the whole world, receive into the dwelling of your most compassionate Heart the souls of pagans and unbelievers who do not yet know you. Let the rays of your grace enlighten them, so that they too may praise with us the wonders of your mercy. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary… The Creed…
Then the whole Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the litany.
Eternal Father, look with eyes of mercy on the souls of pagans and of those who do not yet know you, for they too have a place in the most compassionate Heart of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Draw them into the light of the Gospel, so that they may understand how great is the happiness of loving you. Grant that they too may glorify the vastness of your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.
Fifth Day
Let us pray for those who have strayed from the faith.
Words of Our Lord: “Today bring to Me the souls of heretics and those who have denied the faith, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter agony they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church. When they return to unity with the Church, My wounds heal, and in this way they ease My Passion.”
Most merciful Jesus, Goodness itself, you do not refuse light to those who seek it. Receive into the dwelling of your most compassionate Heart the souls of heretics, of those who have denied the faith and of those who have strayed from it. Let your light draw them into unity with the Church, and do not deprive them of your protection, but grant that they too may glorify your mercy.
Our Father… Hail Mary… The Creed…
Then the whole Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the litany.
Eternal Father, look with eyes of mercy on the souls of those who have separated themselves and of those who have denied the faith, who have squandered your blessings and misused your graces by stubbornly persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their faults, but upon the love and bitter Passion of your Son, who prayed so fervently to you “that they may all be one” (John 17:21). Grant that they may recover this unity as soon as possible and glorify your mercy with us for ever and ever. Amen.
Sixth Day
Let us pray for children and for the souls who have become like them.
Words of Our Lord: “Today bring to Me the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children, and immerse them all in the ocean of My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony.”
Most merciful Jesus, you who said, “Learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29), receive into the dwelling of your most compassionate Heart the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. They fill all heaven like a fragrant bouquet before the divine throne, where God delights in the perfume of their virtues. Grant that they may dwell for ever in your Heart, singing without end the hymn of love and of God’s mercy.
Our Father… Hail Mary… The Creed…
Then the whole Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the litany.
Eternal Father, look with eyes of mercy on little children and on all meek and humble souls, who so closely resemble your divine Son, and who delight you, Father of mercies, by pouring out the perfume of their virtues at the foot of your throne. By the joy these souls give you, we ask you to bless us and the whole world, so that we may honour your divine mercy for ever. Amen.
Seventh Day
Let us pray for those who venerate Divine Mercy and spread devotion to it.
Words of Our Lord: “Today bring to Me the souls who especially venerate and glorify My mercy. These souls shared My sufferings most deeply and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My compassionate Heart. In the next life they will shine with a special brightness. None of them will go into the fire of hell. I will defend each one of them in a special way at the hour of death.”
Most merciful Jesus, whose Heart is love itself, receive into your Heart, so full of mercy, the souls who especially venerate and proclaim your mercy. They carry all people on their shoulders, begging the heavenly Father without ceasing for forgiveness and graces for them. Since they are filled with God’s power, always trust in your unfathomable mercy and respond to his holy will, grant them to persevere in their first zeal until the end, and at the hour of death do not come to them as a Judge, but as a merciful Saviour.
Our Father… Hail Mary… The Creed…
Then the whole Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the litany.
Eternal Father, look with eyes of mercy on the souls who especially venerate and glorify your greatest attribute: your unfathomable mercy. These souls are a living Gospel, as long as they remain enclosed in the most compassionate Heart of your Son. Their hands are full of works of mercy, and their souls, overflowing with joy, sing the hymn of your glory. We beg you, O merciful God, show them your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in you, so that the promise of the Saviour may be fulfilled in them: that he will defend, throughout their life and at the hour of their death, everyone who venerates and spreads the mystery of your mercy. Amen.
Eighth Day
Let us pray for the poor souls in purgatory.
Words of Our Lord: “Today bring to Me the souls in purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy, so that the torrents of My Blood may cool their burning flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me while they make satisfaction to divine justice. It is in your power to bring them some relief by drawing from the treasury of the Church indulgences and offerings of atonement.”
Most merciful Jesus, you who said, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36), we beg you to receive into the dwelling of your Heart, overflowing with mercy, the souls in purgatory, so dear to you, who are making satisfaction to divine justice. May the streams of Blood and Water that gushed from your Heart put out the flames of purgatory, so that there too the power of your mercy may be revealed.
Our Father… Hail Mary… The Creed…
Then the whole Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the litany.
Eternal Father, look with eyes of mercy on the souls suffering in purgatory. For the sake of the sorrowful Passion of your Son, and of the bitterness that then filled his most holy Heart, have mercy on those who are now under the eyes of your justice. We beg you to look upon these souls through the wounds of your beloved Son, for we are certain that your goodness and your mercy have no limit. Amen.
Ninth Day
Let us pray for lukewarm souls.
Words of Our Lord: “Today bring to Me the lukewarm souls, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. In the Garden of Olives, it was they who filled Me with the greatest aversion and drew from Me the cry: ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done’ (Luke 22:42). For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy.”
Most compassionate Jesus, Goodness itself, receive into the dwelling of your Heart the lukewarm souls. Let these icy souls, which filled you with such aversion during your agony on the Mount of Olives, be set on fire by your pure love. Most compassionate Jesus, use the power of your mercy and draw them too into the very furnace of your love, so that, burning with new zeal, they may serve you.
Our Father… Hail Mary… The Creed…
Then the whole Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the litany.
Eternal Father, look with eyes of mercy on lukewarm souls, who are also loved by the most merciful Heart of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. God of mercy and of all consolation, we beg you, for the sake of the sorrowful Passion of your beloved Son and his three hours of agony on the cross, grant that, burning with love, they may glorify the greatness of your mercy without ceasing, for ever and ever. Amen.
Litany of Divine Mercy
Divine Mercy, flowing from the bosom of the Father, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, fountain flowing from the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, mystery beyond the grasp of any human or angelic mind, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, source of life and joy, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, higher than the heavens, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, embracing the whole universe, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, made flesh in the Person of the Word, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, flowing from the wounded Heart of Jesus, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, contained in the Heart of Jesus for us sinners, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, boundless in the Holy Eucharist, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, revealed in the founding of Holy Church, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, revealed in the sacrament of Holy Baptism, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, our justification from sin through Jesus Christ, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, our companion throughout life, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, our protection at the hour of our death, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, pledge of eternal life, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, present in every moment of our life, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, our shield against the fire of hell, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, for the conversion of hardened sinners, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, wonder of the angels and delight of the saints, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, boundless in all the divine mysteries, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, our rescue from every misery, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, source of all joy and consolation, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, calling us from nothingness into being, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of the Lord, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, fulfilment of all that was and will be, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, in whose depths we are all immersed, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, peace of troubled hearts, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, only hope of despairing souls, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, rest for hearts and peace in hardship, we trust in you.
Divine Mercy, inspiring trust where there is no hope, we trust in you.
