What is Mercy?
St. Thomas Aquinas defined the virtue of "mercy" in his great Summa Theologiae (ST II-II.30.1) as "the compassion in our hearts for another person's misery, a compassion which drives us to do what we can to help him."
It is the Mercy of God, this compassion in His heart for our misery, which extends with Divine power to us, to heal us in our wounded and sinful state.
Devotion to the Mercy of God is devotion to the healing power of the Cross. The Blood and Water which poured forth as a fount for poor sinners is Christ's gift of Himself to all those who will accept His Love and be restored by the power of His Grace.
The Divine Mercy Chaplet - A Prayer for Our Times
The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a powerful devotion given by our Lord to St. Faustina Kowalska in the early 20th century.
This devotion is a profound prayer of reparation that begs the grace of conversion and offers the sacrifice of Christ's own Passion for the sake of sinful mankind.
Our Lord told St. Faustina, "The souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death.”
(Diary, 754)
How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
The Chaplet is Prayed on a five-decade Rosary
1. Make the Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.
3. Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
4. The Apostle's Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come 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.
5. The Eternal Father
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.
6. On the Ten Small Beads of Each Decade
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
7. Repeat for the remaining decades
Saying the "Eternal Father" (5) on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (6) on the following "Hail Mary" beads.
8. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times)
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Learn More
Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, On the Meaning of Mercy
Fr. Ripperger on God's Mercy
Accepting God's Mercy
Sometimes it's difficult to accept the mercy and healing of God because we draw back from facing the deepest wounds in our soul. If you are struggling to heal and need help, please contact us. Or, consider attending one of our upcoming retreats and pray with us in person.