Divine Mercy Novena

The Divine Mercy Novena begins today, Good Friday!  The Novena was written in the diary of a Polish nun, St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, according to specific instructions from Jesus Himself during private revelations to her.  St. Faustina recorded in her diary that she transcribed the words as Jesus Himself dictated them to her, day by day.

You may pray the Divine Mercy Novena for any reason. God’s Mercy is relevant and effective in all parts of our lives, particularly so during this Year of Mercy.  Some specific reasons to pray the novena might include prayers for the dead or dying, for forgiveness and mercy, for conversion or healing, for a specific country or locality, or simply in preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday.

The feast of Divine Mercy Sunday was instituted by St. Pope John Paul II the Great and is the Sunday immediately following Easter.  The Novena concludes on the eve of the feast.  Per St. Faustina:

“The Lord told me to say this chaplet for nine days before the Feast of Mercy. It is to begin on Good Friday. ‘By this novena, I will grant every possible grace to souls.'” (Diary 796)

So, let us join together and beg for Jesus' Divine Mercy together through this novena, specifically from Him, through the diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska!  Jesus, I trust in You!

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DIVINE MERCY NOVENA - FIRST DAY

Intention: Today bring to Me ALL MANKIND, ESPECIALLY ALL SINNERS, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me.

Novena Prayers: Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever.  Amen.

(The Divine Mercy Novena Prayers are from The Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine  Mercy  in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, Stockbridge, MA 01263)