The Hour of Mercy: A Complete Guide to Praying the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy

The Power of Saint Faustina’s Message

The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy is one of the most powerful prayers in the Catholic Church today. It is not just a prayer, but a summary of the message that Jesus Christ gave to Saint Faustina Kowalska in the 1930s: that His mercy is greater than any sin and is available to all, especially during the Hour of Mercy (3:00 PM).

Praying this chaplet is an act of trust in God’s infinite goodness, offering the Body and Blood of Jesus in reparation for our own sins and those of the whole world.

What You Need to Know Before Starting

The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy is usually recited using a standard Rosary (Catholic prayer beads), but the prayers are replaced with specific invocations dictated by Jesus to Saint Faustina.

Purpose of the Prayer

Jesus revealed to Saint Faustina that praying this chaplet can obtain extraordinary graces, including the conversion of sinners, assistance for the dying, and the mitigation of God's wrath.

The Right Time: 3:00 PM

While it can be prayed at any time, Jesus specifically requested that it be prayed at three o’clock in the afternoon, the moment of His death on the Cross. Praying at this time holds special merit and is linked to His Passion.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Pray the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy

Follow these instructions to begin your prayer:

1. Beginning and Preparation

• Sign of the Cross: Begin with the Sign of the Cross.

• Introductory Prayer (Optional): Many begin with the prayer: "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, envelope the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us."

• Opening Prayers (Required): On the Crucifix or the centerpiece, pray the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Apostles' Creed (or the Nicene Creed, often the Apostles' Creed is recited on the three small beads).

2. On the Large Beads (Our Father Beads)

On the large beads that separate the decades, pray the Offering Prayer. This is the central point of the chaplet:

"Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Most Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world."

3. On the Small Beads (Hail Mary Beads)

On the ten small beads of each decade, pray the short invocation:

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

4. The Final Conclusion

After completing the five decades (repeating steps 2 and 3), conclude the chaplet by praying the final acclamation three times:

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

Benefits and Spiritual Impact

The constant recitation of the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy is a powerful exercise in faith and trust.

• Effective Intercession: Jesus promised: "When they say this Chaplet, I am pleased to give them everything they ask."

• Protection at the Hour of Death: This prayer has special value for the dying, guaranteeing Jesus’ promise that He will defend the soul that prays it fervently.

• Focus on Christ’s Passion: The prayer helps us meditate on Jesus’ sacrifice, which is the very source of all Mercy.

By incorporating the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy into your daily life, especially at 3:00 PM, you join a global chain of prayer that cries out for the peace and salvation of the world.