One day St Faustina saw a vision of a city that was about to be destroyed. She was moved to intercede for this town, but found her prayers insufficient. Suddenly she felt the power of the Holy Trinity and was moved to recite a prayer unknown to her. As she prayed this inspired prayer, the angel was no longer able to carry out the destruction of the city. The next Our Lord appeared to St Faustina and taught her this prayer. This prayer was the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Saint Faustina prayed the Chaplet almost constantly, especially for the dying. The Lord urged her to encourage others to recite the chaplet. Our Lord promised extraordinary graces to those who would recite this special prayer.
Our Lord specifically asked that the chaplets be recited as a novena especially on the nine days before the Feast of Mercy, and He promised:
“By this Novena (of Chaplets) I will grant every possible grace to souls.“ (Diary 796).
We can, however, pray this prayer for our own intentions at any time. Jesus said to Saint Faustina, “Say unceasingly the chaplet that I have taught you. Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy . . . I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy.” (Diary 687)“The souls that will say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death.” (Diary 754)
How to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
Using normal rosary beads, begin with:
Our Father…, Hail Mary…, The Apostle’s Creed.
On the five large 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 ten small beads:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.
At the end of the Chaplet say three times:
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.
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.
A leaflet outlining the Chaplet of Divine Mercy can be obtained here.