Novena of The Divine Mercy
The essence of The Divine Mercy Novena is TRUST as is written on the bottom of the Image of Divine Mercy “Jesus, I trust in You”. The Novena invites each of us to entrust our souls with complete abandon and trust into the sacred heart of Jesus, our Saviour. During His apparitions to St. Faustina, He asked her to write down and say this novena in preparation for the Feast of Divine Mercy which was to be celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter which is the final day of the Easter Octave. The Feast of Divine Mercy is a day of grace for all those that entrust themselves to Him, as Jesus has attached many promises to this day for the redemption of sinners. This grace is equal to the one we receive in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. (See Divine Mercy Devotion).
Preparation of The Divine Mercy Novena
Program of the Novena
A different type of soul is prayed for during each day of the Novena. Each of these souls are invited to experience the infinite Mercy of Jesus Christ!
Day 1 - Bring to Me all mankind, especially sinners.
Day 2 - Bring to Me the souls of priests and religious.
Day 3 - Bring to Me all the devout and faithful souls.
Day 4 - Bring to Me the pagans and those who do not know me.
Day 5 - Bring to Me the souls of heretics and schismatics.
Day 6 - Bring to Me the souls of the meek and humble.
Day 7 - Bring to Me the souls who especially venerate and glorify My mercy.
Day 8 - Bring to Me the souls who are in Purgatory.
Day 9 - Bring to Me souls who have become lukewarm.
Each day of the novena, a specific prayer is recited, followed by the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. If possible, it is highly recommended to pray this novena at three o’clock in the afternoon which is the Hour of Mercy.
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy was given to St. Faustina during an apparition of Jesus. It is recited on an ordinary rosary. This is how it is prayed.
You begin with the Apostles’ Creed, one Our Father, and one Hail Mary.
On the large bead before each decade, you 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 ten small beads of each decade, you say:
“For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”
You conclude by saying three times:
“Holy god, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”
Novena of The Divine Mercy based on the Diary of Saint Faustina on Hozana
Come and join us in prayer for this world popular novena. Jesus told Faustina, “all Christians are called to make this novena with fervor and receive His mercy.”. Each day you will receive a short meditation from the Diary of St. Faustina and the prayer of the day.
Day 1 - “Look and see the human race in its present condition.” (Diary entry 445)
Day 2 - “Be at peace, My child; nothing can oppose my will.” (Diary entry 1531)
Day 3 - “Now you shall consider My love in the Blessed Sacrament. Here, I am entirely yours, soul, body, and divinity, as your Bridegroom. You know what love demands: one thing only, reciprocity…” (Diary entry 1770)
Day 4 - “Oh if sinners knew My mercy, they would not perish in such great numbers. Tell sinful souls not to be afraid to approach Me; speak to them of My great mercy.” (Diary entry 1396)
Day 5 - “Do not be surprised that you are sometimes unjustly accused. I Myself first drank this cup of undeserved suffering for love of you.” (Diary entry 289)
Day 6 - “Yes, I will be with you always, if you always remain a little child and fear nothing.” (Diary entry 295)
Day 7 - “My daughter, you give Me most glory by patiently submitting to My will, and you win for yourself greater merit than that which any fast or mortification could ever gain for you.” (Diary entry 904)
Day 8 - “Do not be surprised. That soul does not even know her own self, so how could she pass a fair judgement of another soul?” (Diary entry 1528)
Day 9 - “I suffer even greater pain than that which you see.” (Diary entry 445)
When do You Make the Divine Mercy Novena?
The Novena of Divine Mercy precedes the Feast Day of Divine Mercy, instituted by Saint John Paul II on April 30th, 2000. This feast day is celebrated on the first sunday after Easter. The novena begins nine days before, on Good Friday.
Divine Mercy Sunday is a day of thanksgiving. On this day, sinners, by receiving the sacraments ( the Holy Eucharist and Confession) obtain complete remission of their sins. Mass must be attended and the Eucharist received on that day but Confession can be done within 20 days of the feast day. One must be in a state of grace to receive communion on that day.
However, nothing prevents us from making this novena at any other time in the year when we feel the need. But, we must remember that the sacraments are necessary in order to completely receive HIs infinite mercy. It is a good idea to finish the novena with the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) and Holy communion.
