The Divine Mercy Chaplet: A Prayer for the Whole World

The Divine Mercy Chaplet is one of the most powerful and beloved devotions in the Catholic Church. Given to Saint Faustina Kowalska in the 1930s through private revelation from Jesus Christ, it is a prayer of intercession and trust in God's boundless mercy. Especially fitting for times of suffering, sin, or spiritual need, the chaplet is a source of great grace for both the living and the dying.

The Origins of the Chaplet

Saint Faustina, a Polish nun and mystic, received numerous visions and messages from Jesus about His desire to pour out His mercy upon the world. In one vision, Jesus taught her a special prayer using ordinary rosary beads. He told her to pray it for the conversion of sinners, for peace in the world, and particularly for the dying.

“Through the Chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will.”
— Jesus to St. Faustina, Diary, 1731

How to Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

The chaplet is prayed using standard rosary beads and can be recited privately or publicly. It is especially recommended at 3:00 PM, the Hour of Mercy, recalling the moment of Christ's death on the Cross.

Begin with the Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayers

(Optional, but commonly prayed)

• “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.”

• (Repeat three times): “O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You.”

On the Our Father Beads

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 Hail Mary Beads (10 times per decade)

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

(Repeat for all five decades)

Concluding Doxology (3 times)

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

Closing 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.

Why Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet?

• For yourself – for deeper trust in Jesus, healing, and spiritual strength.

• For the dying – Jesus promised special graces for those who pray the chaplet at a dying person’s bedside.

• For sinners – to intercede for conversion and forgiveness.

• For the world – especially in times of crisis or suffering.

“Say unceasingly the chaplet that I have taught you. Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death.”
— Diary, 687

Mercy for All

The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a gift for our times—a simple yet profound way to enter the mystery of God’s love poured out on the Cross. Whether you have five minutes or an hour, whether you are burdened or at peace, this prayer opens your soul to the ocean of mercy that flows from the Heart of Christ.

“Jesus, I trust in You.” Let this be our daily prayer, and our eternal hope.