The Sunday after Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday. Pope John Paul II instituted this feast in 2000 based on the private revelations received in the 1930s by a humble Polish nun, St. Faustina Kowalska. In her diary, Faustina recorded Jesus telling her, “I desire that the whole world know My infinite mercy.” Jesus also gave her the chaplet of Divine Mercy, promising, “Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death.” You can pray the chaplet on ordinary rosary beads.

1. 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 among 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. Apostles’ 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. On the “Our Father” bead, pray:

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 10 “Hail Mary” beads, pray:

For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for all five decades.

8. Conclude by repeating three times:

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Source: usccb.org

Northwest Catholic - April 2020