The Divine Mercy of God
Beginning this Good Friday, April 9, 2004 is the Novena to the Divine Mercy.
If there ever was a time in our history to say this nine-day prayer, I would
humbly suggest that this year we're living in right now would be the most
appropriate and necessary.
**Please** at least say the short Novena prayers (at the end of this post)
for each of the nine days, from Good Friday to Divine Mercy Sunday (the
first Sunday after Easter Sunday), which is on April 18, 2004. If you can
find the time, also please say the Divine Mercy Chaplet (also below) every
day at 3:00 p.m. (the hour of Divine Mercy). There is also a Litany to the
Divine Mercy below which you can also say.
Even though you might not be Catholic, according to Jesus, *ALL* who
diligently say the short Novena (and Chaplet) daily will be heir to its
promises and blessings. The following is taken from a pamphlet put out by
the 'Divine Mercy Centre of Canada', reprinted with permission by the Marian
Helpers of Stockbridge, MA.;
"In addition to the novena to the Divine Mercy, which Our Lord gave to
Blessed Faustina for her own personal use, He revealed to her a powerful
prayer that He wanted *everyone* to say - The Chaplet of Mercy. Blessed
Faustina (more about her below) prayed the Chaplet almost constantly,
especially for the dying, and the Lord urged her to encourage others to say
it too, promising extraordinary graces to those who should recite this
special prayer. The Chaplet can be said anytime, but the Lord specifically
asked that it be recited as a novena, especially on the nine days before the
Feast of Mercy (Sunday after Easter). And He promised, "By this Novena (of
Chaplets) I WILL GRANT EVERY POSSIBLE GRACE TO SOULS".
"We can pray this Novena of Chaplets for our own personal intentions or we
can offer it together with the Novena to the Divine Mercy for the daily
intentions dictated by Our Lord to Blessed Faustina." (such as to "ALL
DEVOUT AND FAITHFUL SOULS", etc.)
Thank you, and may God have mercy on *all* our souls in this most perilous
of times.
The following information is taken from the website;
http://www.catholicyouth.freeservers.com/mercy/index.htm
Please visit it, although I have nothing to do with it personally.
Background information on the Divine Mercy
THE BEGINNING
It was the evening of February 22, 1931, and a young novice, "Sister"
Faustina Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament, was in her cold, bare cell at
the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Plock, Poland. Suddenly,
she saw Jesus standing before her in a shining white garment. His right Hand
was raised in blessing, and His other Hand was pointing to two rays, one red
and one pale, that were streaming from His breast. As she gazed at Jesus,
Jesus spoke to her: "Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with
the signature 'Jesus, I trust in You'. I desire that this image be
venerated, first in your chapel, then throughout the world."
Later, while she was praying, St. Faustina heard Jesus interiorly telling
her the meaning of the symbolic rays: they "denote Blood and Water. The pale
ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for
Blood, which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the very
depths of My tender Mercy when my agonizing Heart was opened by a lance on
the cross."
THE IMAGE
St. Faustina wondered how she was supposed to paint an image of Jesus, as
she could not draw at all. She tried to sketch it but failed, and told her
confessor about the problem. But, being very cautious, he dismissed the
apparition lightly, saying that Jesus was only telling her to carry His
Image in her soul. Later on in the day she heard Jesus telling her that was
not why He appeared to her. He wanted a real image painted, an image of His
Divine Mercy, to be "venerated throughout the world." Again the young nun
told her Superior and her spiritual director about Christ's request.
But it was not until three years later, in 1934, that she was finally
allowed to visit an artist and guide him as he painted the image. When the
artist, Eugene Kazimierowski, finished painting the image of Divine Mercy
(see the picture on the right), St. Faustina was very disappointed at the
result. It didn't look nearly as beautiful as Jesus had looked when he
appeared to her. But she hid her feelings until the evening, when she was
alone in the chapel, then cried because of her extreme disappointment.
Tearfully, she asked Jesus who would paint Him the way she saw Him. His
answer was comforting: "Not in the beauty of the colour, nor of the brush
lies the greatness of this image, but in My Grace." He also told her: "My
Gaze from this image is like My Gaze from the Cross."
"JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU"
Jesus asked St. Faustina to put the words "Jesus, I trust in You" under the
picture of Divine Mercy because of the lack of trust man has in Him: "How
painfully distrust of My Goodness wounds Me!" and "Distrust on the part of
souls is tearing out my insides. The distrust of a chosen soul causes Me
even greater pain; despite My inexhaustible Love from them, they do not
trust Me."
THE CHAPLET OF MERCY
Jesus not only gave St. Faustina the image of Divine Mercy for mankind, but
also the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Feast of Divine Mercy, and the Hour of
Divine Mercy. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy, He revealed to her by a
terrifying vision of an Angel executing just punishment on a country. The
dazzling Angel was standing on a cloud, from which terrible thunder and
lightning burst forth. When Sister Faustina saw this, she begged and pleaded
with the Angel to wait before executing this punishment so that she could
get everyone to do penance for their sins to lessen the wrath of God, but in
vain.
Suddenly she found herself in front of the Most Holy Trinity, before Whose
power and majesty she did not dare to speak. She was taken to the Throne of
God and there she felt herself begging again, but with some words heard
interiorly. As she prayed with these words, the Angel was unable to deliver
the punishment on the earth. These inner words were the Chaplet of Divine
Mercy.
Jesus explained to her later that the Chaplet of Divine Mercy was to be said
on Rosary beads. It begins with an "I Believe in God", then a "Hail Mary"
and an "Our Father". On the "Our Father" beads of the Rosary Jesus told her
to say "Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of
Thy Most Beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and
the sins of the whole world". On the "Hail Mary" beads, He asked her to say
"For the Sake of His Most Sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the
whole world." In conclusion, the prayer "Holy God, Holy Omnipotent, Holy
Immortal, have mercy on us and on the whole world" was to be said three
times.
Jesus told St. Faustina that He wanted a novena of this Chaplet of Divine
Mercy to be made before the Feast of Divine Mercy (the Novena would start on
Good Friday): "I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the
fount of My Mercy. . .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. I will
deny nothing to any soul whom you will bring to the fount of My Mercy. On
each day you will beg of My Father, on the strength of My bitter Passion,
for graces for these souls."
FEAST OF MERCY
Jesus asked that the Feast of Divine Mercy be celebrated on the first Sunday
after Easter. He told her: "On that day, all the Divine floodgates, through
which graces flow, are opened. The soul who will go to Confession and
receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and
punishment."
It is interesting to note that St. Thomas the Apostle wrote, in the
Apostolic Constitutions, "After the eight days (that follow Easter) let
there be another feast observed with honour, the eighth day itself, on which
He gave me, Thomas, who was hard of belief, full assurance by showing me the
print of the nails and the wounds made in His Side by the spear."
On May 23, 2000, the Church officially established the Feast of Mercy as a
feast of the Church, to be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter.
THE HOUR OF MERCY
Jesus also asked St. Faustina to remember to pray during the Hour of Mercy
at three o'clock in the afternoon each day- perhaps the Stations of the
Cross or the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. It was at this Hour that He died on
the Cross on Good Friday. He urged St. Faustina many times to, "if only for
a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly My Abandonment
at the moment of agony" during this hour.
DEVOTION TO THE DIVINE MERCY TODAY
Only four years after the first image of Divine Mercy was painted,
thirty-three year old St. Faustina died a peaceful death on the first Friday
of the month. Her beatification process was started and fittingly, on April
18th, 1993, the Feast of Divine Mercy, she was declared Blessed by Pope John
Paul II. She was canonized on the Feast of Divine Mercy, April 30, 2000 by
Pope John Paul II.
The message of Divine Mercy has been spread throughout the world. Jesus had
told St. Faustina concerning those who venerated the image of Divine Mercy:
"I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I
also promise victory over its enemies. . .I Myself shall defend it as My own
Glory." In World War II, two Polish cities, Krakow and Vilno, distributed
copies of the image of Divine Mercy to their inhabitants, and placed an
image in a central spot for public worship. Miraculously, as Jesus had
promised, these cities were spared destruction in the war, while other
cities perished.
Such love and mercy Jesus has given us through His Divine Mercy is truly
incredible: "From My Wounds, like from streams, mercy flows for souls, but
the Wound in My Heart is the fountain of unfathomable Mercy. From this
fountain spring all graces for souls. . ." Let us not let a day go by
without telling Jesus, "I trust in You!"
Reprinted from Blossoms At Our Lady's Feet Catholic teen newsletter.
Special thanks to K. Patrick for providing this article on devotion to the
Divine Mercy!
Litany to the Divine Mercy
From the Diary of St. Faustina Kowalska
"The Love of God is the flower- Mercy the fruit.
Let the doubting soul read these consideration and become trusting."
Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the bosom of the Father, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, fountain gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed
Trinity, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, unfathomed by any intellect, human or angelic, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, from which wells forth all life and happiness, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, better than the heavens, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders,I trust in You
Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of the Incarnate Word, I
trust in You
Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus, I
trust in You
Divine Mercy, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially for
sinners, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the insitution of the Sacred Host, I trust in
You
Divine Mercy, in the founding of the Holy Church, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism,I trust in You
Divine Mercy, in our justification through Jesus Christ, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, accompanying us through our whole life, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment of our life, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, shieleding us from the fire of hell, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, in the conversion of hardened sinners, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, astonishment for Angels, incomprehensible to Saints, I trust
in You
Divine Mercy, unfathomed in all the mysteries of God, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, in calling us forth from nothingness to existence, I trust in
You
Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of His hands, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, crown of all God's handiwork, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, in which we are all immersed, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, only hope of despairing souls, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, repose of hearts, peace amidst fear, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, delight and ecstasy of holy souls, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope, I trust in You
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.
The Story:
On September 13, 1935, St. Faustina saw an angel who was about to strike the
earth, and especially a particular city, with Divine punishment. "I began to
implore the Angel to hold off for a few moments," St. Faustina wrote,
"...but my plea was nothing in the face of the Divine anger." Then she
received a vision of the Holy Trinity and began to "plead to God for the
world with words heard interiorly." As Sister Faustina prayed, the angel
could not carry out the punishment, and the city was spared. She wrote,
"Never before had I prayed with such inner power as then." Later, Jesus
taught her how to say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, based on the prayer she
had been inspired to say.
(Quotations from the Diary of Sister Faustina, #474)
How to say the Chaplet of Mercy:
This chaplet only takes a few minutes to say, and the prayers are short and
easy to memorize. (You can say it on ordinary rosary beads.) It can
especially be said at 3:00, if possible, to commemorate Jesus' death.
In fact, Jesus asked Sister Faustina, "At three o'clock, implore My mercy,
especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerce yourself in
My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is
the hour of great mercy. . .In this hour I will refuse nothing to the soul
that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion!" (Diary of Sister
Faustina, #1320)
First, say one "Our Father," one "Hail Mary," and one "Apostles' Creed."
Then, on the large beads of the rosary, say the prayer:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Most Precious Body and Blood, Soul and
Divinity, of Your most beloved Son and our Divine Redeemer, Jesus Christ, in
atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
On each of the ten small beads, pray:
For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole
world.
After reciting all five decades this way, end by repeating, three times:
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the
whole world.
And a few more notes...
A chaplet is a series of prayers repeated several times, like the rosary.
The Chaplet of Mercy is a powerful prayer to say in atonement for sins.
(Atonement, or reparation means saying a prayer or making a sacrifice in
order to "make up" or apologize for our own sins or the sins of the world.)
The Divine Mercy Novena
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."
Prayer:
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
"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:
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
"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."
Prayer:
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
"Today bring to Me THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD AND THOSE WHO DO NOT YET
KNOW ME.
I was thinking of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal
comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy."
Prayer:
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
"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:
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
"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. Only the humble souls is capable of receiving My grace. I
favor humble souls with My confidence."
Prayer:
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
"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:
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 greateness 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
"Today bring to Me THE SOULS WHO ARE DETAINED IN 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:
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
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
"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 run
to My mercy."
Prayer:
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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