Divine Mercy

by Flynn

St. Faustina’s Diary begins with a reference (Diary #1) to Jesus’ command that she paint an Image of Him. The Divine Mercy Image is not just a picture of Jesus. He wanted to make His Mercy VISIBLE. At first glance, the Image is of the Merciful Jesus … but it is more! Pope St. John Paul II writes, “He, Himself … is Mercy. To the person who sees it in Him – and finds it in Him – God becomes “visible” as THE FATHER WHO IS RICH IN MERCY (Rich in Mercy #2). Jesus’ right hand is extended and cupped to the right in the gesture of a blessing. Thus, the Image reveals the Father to us as the source of divine blessing.

Jesus’ left hand is touching His garment Jesus, I trust in You at the breast with the garment slightly drawn aside (to invite us into His Heart). From beneath the garment, two rays are emanating: one red and the other pale, causing us to recall when the Roman soldier pierced Christ’s side and Blood and Water gushed out. The pale ray stands for the Waters of Baptism as well as the Sacrament of Confession, which is an extension of Baptism. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls [ie: the Eucharist, “This is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Roman Missal 90)].

“When you go to Confession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which come forth from My Heart always flows down upon your soul and ennobles it” (Diary 1602).

The Chaplet is a prayer of our sincere offering to our loving Creator Father, joining us with Jesus in the offering of His Passion to the Father, in atonement for our sins…for our redemption. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy (so completely focused on the Passion of Christ) has become the prayer most often prayed at the three o’clock hour, the hour of Jesus’ death. Jesus instructed St. Faustina to pray it “unceasingly” and to encourage others to pray it as well (Diary, 687, 1541). Also, our Lord said to St. Faustina: “… When souls say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the Just Judge but as the Merciful Savior. … if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy. I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy.” (Diary #s 687, 1541, 1731) The Chaplet is said on ordinary rosary beads. The prayers said (besides the Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and Apostles Creed) are:

OPENING PRAYER (optional): 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 upon us (Diary, 1319). 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) (Diary, 84).

ON THE “OUR FATHER” BEAD (before each decade): 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 (Diary, 476).

ON THE “HAIL MARY” BEADS (of each decade): For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world (Diary, 476).

CONCLUDING DOXOLOGY (after the five decades): Holy God, Holy Mighty one, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world (Three times) (Diary, 476).

CONCLUDING PRAYER (optional): 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 (Diary #950).

Praying the Chaplet (while meditating on Jesus’ Passion) would be a wonderful enhancement to one’s daily Lenten prayers.


Jesus, I Trust In You!

Jesus died on the cross at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. That is why Jesus told St. Faustina that the hour between 3 and 4 o’clock in the afternoon, every day of the year, is known as the Hour of Great Mercy. During that hour, Jesus asked St. Faustina to try to pray the Stations of the Cross, but He also told her “…if you are not able to make the Stations of the Cross, then at least step into the chapel for a moment and ADORE, in the Blessed Sacrament, My Heart, which is full of mercy; and should you be unable to step into the chapel, IMMERSE yourself in prayer there where you happen to be, if only for a very brief instant” (Diary, 1572). "At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, IMMERSE yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. I will allow you to enter into My mortal sorrow. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion…” (Diary 1320)

During this hour, Jesus wants us to remember His sacrifice: what He did for us on the Cross out of love for us. He wants our love in return. During this hour, we should pray for our loved ones and for the conversion of sinners. We can also pray the 3 o’clock prayer, which is normally prayed with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy:

“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” (Diary 1319). O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!” (Diary 84)

During this Blessed Hour, a soul could also pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.

Note: These excerpts are from “Divine Mercy Explained” by Fr. Michael Gaitley.