How to Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Learn how to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. You can use standard Rosary beads to count the prayers, and the prayers can be adapted for group use simply by changing "I" and "my" to "we" and "our." This is an excellent prayer for the seasons of Lent and Easter.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Introductory Prayers

1. Make the sign of the cross. In your right hand, grasp a Rosary by the crucifix, then move it in order from your forehead, to your chest, to your left shoulder and finally to your right shoulder, while saying the words, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
2. Pray the following optional prayer, if desired. "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. O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of mercy for us, I trust in You!"
3. Pray an 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."
4. Pray a 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."
5. Pray an Apostles’ Creed. "I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth. I believe 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 the God, the Father Almighty. From thence He shall 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, and life everlasting. Amen."

The Body of the Chaplet

6. Hold the medal or knot at the center of the rosary beads and pray the following prayer. "Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in atonement for my sins and those of the whole world."
7. Move your fingers to the first bead and say the following prayer. "For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world." Repeat 9 times, until you get to the larger bead or knot at the end of the decade.
8. Repeat the prayer in Step One while holding the large bead at the end of the first decade.
9. Repeat the process, moving your fingers from bead to bead and saying the prayer until you complete the circlet of beads and once again reach the medal or knot at the center.
10. Conclude the Chaplet of Divine Mercy with the following prayer, said 3 times in succession. "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world." If desired, you can also add the following 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."
    

Tips & Warnings

• The Chaplet of Divine Mercy can also be sung or chanted. This option is especially suited to groups.
• Although the Chaplet of Divine Mercy may be prayed at any time, Jesus recommended 2 times for praying it: daily at 3 p.m., in honor of His death; and as a novena on the 9 days prior to Divine Mercy Sunday, which is the Sunday after Easter.