I have been contemplating this prayer for a few weeks now and how powerful it is and the implications of saying it daily. I do try to say it daily, but let's face it, somedays I forget; somedays I am annoyed at something or someone and say eh, no, not praying today; and some I just have the best intentions but run out of steam and nod off in the middle of it. Most of the time I do say it, though, and it is part of my daily ritual just as taking a shower and having my morning cup of tea are.
A little history of the Divine Mercy Chaplet ~
From 1931 to 1938 Our Lord appeared to a Polish Sister by the name of Maria Faustina Kowalska. Our Lord appeared to her many times during those years and told her of his Divine Mercy and that all should approach Him and ask Him for it. Anyone who approaches Him will be spared the fires of hell if they turn to Him during their life or at the moment of their death. The Chaplet is said to increase your own devotion to Christ and it is said in the presence of the dying so that He can be the just judge and grant them mercy at the moment of death. There are basically three things to remember about the chaplet:
1. You should ask for His Mercy. Jesus wants us to approach Him in prayer constantly. He wants us to repent of our sins and ask Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world.
2. You should be merciful to others. Jesus wants us to receive His mercy. He wants us to extend our love and mercy to others, through forgiveness, just as He does for us.
3. You should have complete trust in Jesus. Jesus wants us to know that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust. The more we trust in Him, the more graces we will receive.
The revelations, devotions, Feast day, image and graces were all written, by her, prior to her death in 1938. Jesus told her to record all that He had given her and the devotion of the faithful commenced just prior to her death. The notes are referred to as her Diary btw.
The chaplet is said daily at 3:00 P.M. If you cannot say the entire chaplet, which takes 7-8 minutes, you can say, "Jesus, I trust in you" at that hour and then the chaplet when you have time. Here is the Chaplet, which is on our Prayer Page at the website as well, so you can see the "rosary" prayers mentioned. It IS said on a standard rosary. http://www.gloryglorygifts.com/the-prayer-page.html.
THE DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET
So, getting back to my thoughts. Jesus requested that we say the Chaplet daily for ALL of those that are going to die the day that you say it. Those who do perpetual adoration are asked to say it for ALL those that will die during the week. It occurred to me after the Orlando shootings that I had said the prayer for ALL those that died in that tragedy. That is a pretty heavy responsibility when you think about it. Jesus heard my prayer (and every other person that said it that day) for every one of those people before they ever stepped foot into that club. Do you see where this is heading? Yup, I prayed for the patrons, workers and I even prayed for the shooter. I will be honest, at first I was horrified when I realized that but since I have calmed down it has occurred to me that Jesus did say to love my enemy. Pray for my enemy for what reward is there in loving your friends and family - even the tax collectors do that (okay so I paraphrased Jesus). That is exactly what Jesus told St. Faustina when he appeared to her ~ that the Divine Mercy Chaplet is to be said for the most hardened of hearts. IF he cried out to Jesus in the last moment he could be saved. He didn't though, so my guess (though I'm not supposed to do this) is that he isn't with Jesus in paradise.
We are living in a very messed up world that seems to be growing worse each day. I do take a small amount of comfort in knowing that Jesus heard many prayers for those that lost their lives in Dallas, Nice and Turkey this past week. May His divine mercy rest on those of the faithfully departed that we have lost and on those that we are yet to lose.
I implore you to start saying the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy today. Increase your own devotion to Christ and pray for all humanity. The Chaplet can lead many lives to Him, even at the hour of their death. Your prayer, of this chaplet, can save a soul and that is a pretty awesome thing.
God bless, and peace
Mare
BTW: Maria Faustina Kowalska was made a saint by the Catholic Church in 2000. Pope John Paul II called her the first Saint of the new millennium.
A little history of the Divine Mercy Chaplet ~
From 1931 to 1938 Our Lord appeared to a Polish Sister by the name of Maria Faustina Kowalska. Our Lord appeared to her many times during those years and told her of his Divine Mercy and that all should approach Him and ask Him for it. Anyone who approaches Him will be spared the fires of hell if they turn to Him during their life or at the moment of their death. The Chaplet is said to increase your own devotion to Christ and it is said in the presence of the dying so that He can be the just judge and grant them mercy at the moment of death. There are basically three things to remember about the chaplet:
1. You should ask for His Mercy. Jesus wants us to approach Him in prayer constantly. He wants us to repent of our sins and ask Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world.
2. You should be merciful to others. Jesus wants us to receive His mercy. He wants us to extend our love and mercy to others, through forgiveness, just as He does for us.
3. You should have complete trust in Jesus. Jesus wants us to know that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust. The more we trust in Him, the more graces we will receive.
The revelations, devotions, Feast day, image and graces were all written, by her, prior to her death in 1938. Jesus told her to record all that He had given her and the devotion of the faithful commenced just prior to her death. The notes are referred to as her Diary btw.
The chaplet is said daily at 3:00 P.M. If you cannot say the entire chaplet, which takes 7-8 minutes, you can say, "Jesus, I trust in you" at that hour and then the chaplet when you have time. Here is the Chaplet, which is on our Prayer Page at the website as well, so you can see the "rosary" prayers mentioned. It IS said on a standard rosary. http://www.gloryglorygifts.com/the-prayer-page.html.
THE DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET
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 (see rosary)
3. Hail Mary (see rosary)
4. The Apostle's Creed (see rosary)
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" (6) on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (7) 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.
9. Optional Closing 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.
2. Our Father (see rosary)
3. Hail Mary (see rosary)
4. The Apostle's Creed (see rosary)
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" (6) on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (7) 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.
9. Optional Closing 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.
So, getting back to my thoughts. Jesus requested that we say the Chaplet daily for ALL of those that are going to die the day that you say it. Those who do perpetual adoration are asked to say it for ALL those that will die during the week. It occurred to me after the Orlando shootings that I had said the prayer for ALL those that died in that tragedy. That is a pretty heavy responsibility when you think about it. Jesus heard my prayer (and every other person that said it that day) for every one of those people before they ever stepped foot into that club. Do you see where this is heading? Yup, I prayed for the patrons, workers and I even prayed for the shooter. I will be honest, at first I was horrified when I realized that but since I have calmed down it has occurred to me that Jesus did say to love my enemy. Pray for my enemy for what reward is there in loving your friends and family - even the tax collectors do that (okay so I paraphrased Jesus). That is exactly what Jesus told St. Faustina when he appeared to her ~ that the Divine Mercy Chaplet is to be said for the most hardened of hearts. IF he cried out to Jesus in the last moment he could be saved. He didn't though, so my guess (though I'm not supposed to do this) is that he isn't with Jesus in paradise.
We are living in a very messed up world that seems to be growing worse each day. I do take a small amount of comfort in knowing that Jesus heard many prayers for those that lost their lives in Dallas, Nice and Turkey this past week. May His divine mercy rest on those of the faithfully departed that we have lost and on those that we are yet to lose.
I implore you to start saying the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy today. Increase your own devotion to Christ and pray for all humanity. The Chaplet can lead many lives to Him, even at the hour of their death. Your prayer, of this chaplet, can save a soul and that is a pretty awesome thing.
God bless, and peace
Mare
BTW: Maria Faustina Kowalska was made a saint by the Catholic Church in 2000. Pope John Paul II called her the first Saint of the new millennium.
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