Novena to the Divine Mercy
Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said:
"These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."
In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her:
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy ... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls."
The different souls prayed for on each day of the novena are:
DAY 1 - All mankind, especially sinners
DAY 2 - The souls of priests and religious
DAY 3 - All devout and faithful souls
DAY 4 - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
DAY 5 - The souls of separated brethren
DAY 6 - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children
DAY 7 - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy
DAY 8 - The souls who are detained in purgatory;
DAY 9 - The souls who have become lukewarm.
First Day
"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."
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.
optional for DAY 1 - All mankind, especially sinners
prayer from a nun from Colombia
Oh Lord of Divine Mercy, we ask You for the whole Mankind, especially for those who offend You without knowing it and for those who know that they offend You and do not repent. May Your Love touch their souls so that they recognize Your Mercy. Amen.
Second Day
"Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and Religious,
and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind."
Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service,* that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard -- upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.
* In the original text, Saint Faustina uses the pronoun "us" since she was offering this prayer as a consecrated religious sister. The wording adapted here is intended to make the prayer suitable for universal use.
optional for DAY 2 - The souls of priests and religious
from a priest from Vienna (Austria)
"Holy Saturday is presented as a link full of mysteries between the Cross and the Resurrection." (H.U. von Balthasar) Seemingly announcing the end of the Redeemer, this day becomes his triumph in the final victory of Divine Love over death. Veiled in silence the quiet transformation occurs, so that no one else - except the Mother of God Mary - considers it is possible. (...)
Jesus on the Cross is like the last Gift of God to Mankind. He blows up the prison doors and a new Life is possible: for everybody. However not all embrace it, and so it will become for many (pro multis) the Anchor of Salvation.
Let us pray that we, too, may bear the cross. Pray for the Love to the Cross, and so, it will become lighter for us. Be comforted, Easter morning arrives! Don´t you see?
Third Day
"Today bring to Me all Devout and Faithful Souls,
and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were a drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness."
Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.
optional for DAY 3 - All devout and faithful souls
from a priest from Panama
Oh, Lord Jesus, by the merits of your Cross, Suffering and Death, grant your children, Faith, Love and Hope, especially those faithful and devoted, who help you with love and loyalty to you. May the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus fill us with joy and hope in union with our Blessed Mother, Mother of Mankind. Amen.
Fourth Day
"Today bring to Me those who do not believe in God and those who do not know Me,
I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy."
Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.
*Our Lord's original words here were "the pagans." Since the pontificate of Pope John XXIII, the Church has seen fit to replace this term with clearer and more appropriate terminology.
optional for DAY 4 - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
from a priest from Peru
We ask God for atheists and for those who don´t know God, for those who don´t surrender to your Divine Love and Mercy.
Oh Lord give those (us) who love you and feel that we need you the gift to convey your Love without hesitation or fear.
Many do not even know you and need you, many know you but do not accept You, let them experience your Divine Love and Your great Mercy so that they accept You in their lives, find salvation in communion with You. Amen
Fifth Day
"Today bring to Me the Souls of those who have separated themselves from My Church*,
and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion."
Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son's Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.
optional: for DAY 5 - The souls of separated brethren
from a priest from Canada
Father of Mercy, Your Son is our only Peace. May we be, through the intercession of Mary, Our sweet Mother of Mercy and Queen of Peace, instruments of consolation for Her Son. He came to gather and unite in the Truth of His Gospel. May our fidelity be the balm for His Sacred Wounds as we see the great and powerful ones cast lots for the seamless Cloak of His Church. May we remain steadfast and loyal to the end, not allowing one thread of the Cloak of His Perfect Doctrine to fall loose bring undone all the Holy Teachings of His Church. Jesus when You looked at the return of all Your separated children from the Vine, this brought great joy to Your Soul. Makes us instruments of reunification and reconciliation of all these branches back to the One Vine, of all shepherds and sheep who have separated back into the One Fold. Most Merciful, Jesus into Your Wounds we place these wandering souls seeking the Good Shepherd. Give us the love of Your very own Heart, so that, as Your shepherds, shepherds of your very Heart, we may run out to embrace all the prodigal sons and daughters who return Home to the Father. Amen.
*Our Lord's original words here were "heretics and schismatics," since He spoke to Saint Faustina within the context of her times. As of the Second Vatican Council, Church authorities have seen fit not to use those designations in accordance with the explanation given in the Council's Decree on Ecumenism (n.3). Every pope since the Council has reaffirmed that usage. Saint Faustina herself, her heart always in harmony with the mind of the Church, most certainly would have agreed. When at one time, because of the decisions of her superiors and father confessor, she was not able to execute Our Lord's inspirations and orders, she declared: "I will follow Your will insofar as You will permit me to do so through Your representative. O my Jesus " I give priority to the voice of the Church over the voice with which You speak to me" (497). The Lord confirmed her action and praised her for it.
Sixth Day
Today bring to Me the Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little Children,
and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.
Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.
optional for DAY 6 - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children
from a young priest from Germany
Merciful Jesus, we contemplate You, because You are "meek and humble of heart" (Mt 11:29).
The humble man (...) is modest and honors God the Most High.
Let us look to the Virgin Mary, the most humble Servant, who gives everything for love, humility and patience and opens her heart completely to God.
Let us not forget that God is so patient with us and in His Grace and Mercy He loves us infinitely.
Let us be kind to our fellow man, and humble before God, like Mary. She is the servant of the Lord, so that His Will be also done in us, to say "Yes" to our merciful Father. Amen
Seventh Day
Today bring to Me the Souls who especially venerate and glorify My Mercy*,
and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.
Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God:
Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He, Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen.
*The text leads one to conclude that in the first prayer directed to Jesus, Who is the Redeemer, it is "victim" souls and contemplatives that are being prayed for; those persons, that is, that voluntarily offered themselves to God for the salvation of their neighbor (see Col 1:24; 2 Cor 4:12). This explains their close union with the Savior and the extraordinary efficacy that their invisible activity has for others. In the second prayer, directed to the Father from whom comes "every worthwhile gift and every genuine benefit,"we recommend the "active" souls, who promote devotion to The Divine Mercy and exercise with it all the other works that lend themselves to the spiritual and material uplifting of their brethren.
optional for DAY 7 - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy
from an order priest from Austria
"Be perfect as your Father in heaven" (...)
Also love to sinners, to do good not only in retaliation of the good, give without expectation of reward, ..only in this way the Christian opens into the life of the Trinity of God: He will be your reward, He makes us children of the MOST HIGH and partake of HIS MERCY.
Eighth Day
"Today bring to Me the Souls who are in the prison of Purgatory,
and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice."
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.
optional for DAY 8 - The souls who are detained in purgatory;
from a priest from Mexico
Oh Jesus, Lord of Mercy, we ask You, through your infinite love, hear our prayer and to release the souls in purgatory of their sentence. Take them early from prison of darkness into light and liberty of the children of God in the kingdom of Your Glory. Gentle Savior, we thank You for having redeemed the poor souls with your Precious Blood, saving them from eternal death.
Ninth Day
"Today bring to Me the Souls who have become Lukewarm,
and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy."
Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.
optional for DAY 9 - The souls who have become lukewarm.
from a priest from Peru.
Oh Lord of Divine Mercy, we pray for the lukewarm souls, the wavering, the doubting, those who do not find stability and comfort. Only Your infinite love and comfort can fill them of your love and your strength. Give them the security they need to embrace Your Divine Love and to become strong and determined. (...) Do not allow the enemy to wrap them in deception and perversion but release them from all temptation so that they are able to drag through Your Divine Love to your Mercy. Amen
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Prayers from our priests and nuns (for Easter 2013)
DAY 1 - All mankind, especially sinners
prayer from a nun from Colombia and Spain
Oh Lord of Divine Mercy, we ask You for the whole Mankind, especially for those who offend You without knowing it and for those who know that they offend You and do not repent. May Your Love touch their souls so that they recognize Your Mercy. Amen
DAY 2 - The souls of priests and religious
from a priest from Vienna (Austria)
"Holy Saturday is presented as a link full of mysteries between the Cross and the Resurrection." (H.U. von Balthasar) Seemingly announcing the end of the Redeemer, this day becomes his triumph in the final victory of Divine Love over death. Veiled in silence the quiet transformation occurs, so that no one else - except the Mother of God Mary - considers it is possible. (...)
Jesus on the Cross is like the last Gift of God to Mankind. He blows up the prison doors and a new Life is possible: for everybody. However not all embrace it, and so it will become for many (pro multis) the Anchor of Salvation.
Let us pray that we, too, may bear the cross. Pray for the Love to the Cross, and so, it will become lighter for us. Be comforted, Easter morning arrives! Don´t you see?
DAY 3 - All devout and faithful souls
from a priest from Panama
Oh, Lord Jesus, by the merits of your Cross, Suffering and Death, grant your children, Faith, Love and Hope, especially those faithful and devoted, who help you with love and loyalty to you. May the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus fill us with joy and hope in union with our Blessed Mother, Mother of Mankind. Amen.
DAY 4 - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
from a priest from Peru
We ask God for atheists and for those who don´t know God, for those who don´t surrender to your Divine Love and Mercy. Lord give those (us) who love you and feel that we need you the gift to convey your Love without hesitation or fear.
Many do not even know you and need you, many know you but do not accept You, let them experience your Divine Love and Your great Mercy so that they accept You in their lives, find salvation in communion with You. Amen
DAY 5 - The souls of separated brethren
from a priest from Canada
Father of Mercy, Your Son is our only Peace. May we be, through the intercession of Mary, Our sweet Mother of Mercy and Queen of Peace, instruments of consolation for Her Son. He came to gather and unite in the Truth of His Gospel. May our fidelity be the balm for His Sacred Wounds as we see the great and powerful ones cast lots for the seamless Cloak of His Church. May we remain steadfast and loyal to the end, not allowing one thread of the Cloak of His Perfect Doctrine to fall loose bring undone all the Holy Teachings of His Church. Jesus when You looked at the return of all Your separated children from the Vine, this brought great joy to Your Soul. Makes us instruments of reunification and reconciliation of all these branches back to the One Vine, of all shepherds and sheep who have separated back into the One Fold. Most Merciful, Jesus into Your Wounds we place these wandering souls seeking the Good Shepherd. Give us the love of Your very own Heart, so that, as Your shepherds, shepherds of your very Heart, we may run out to embrace all the prodigal sons and daughters who return Home to the Father. Amen.
DAY 6 - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children
from a young priest from Germany
Merciful Jesus, we contemplate You, because You are "meek and humble of heart" (Mt 11:29).
The humble man (...) is modest and honors God the Most High.
Let us look to the Virgin Mary, the most humble Servant, who gives everything for love, humility and patience and opens her heart completely to God.
Let us not forget that God is so patient with us and in His Grace and Mercy He loves us infinitely.
Let us be kind to our fellow man, and humble before God, like Mary. She is the servant of the Lord, so that His Will be also done in us , to say "Yes" to our merciful Father. Amen
DAY 7 - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy
from an order priest from Austria
"Be perfect as your Father in heaven" (...)
Also love to sinners, to do good not only in retaliation of the good, give without expectation of reward, ..only in this way the Christian opens into the life of the Trinity of God: He will be your reward, He makes us children of the MOST HIGH and partake of HIS MERCY.
DAY 8 - The souls who are detained in purgatory;
from a priest from Mexico
Oh Jesus, Lord of Mercy, we ask You, through your infinite love, hear our prayer and to release the souls in purgatory of their sentence. Take them early from prison of darkness into light and liberty of the children of God in the kingdom of Your Glory. Gentle Savior, we thank You for having redeemed the poor souls with your Precious Blood, saving them from eternal death.
DAY 9 - The souls who have become lukewarm.
from a priest from Peru.
Oh Lord of Divine Mercy, we pray for the lukewarm souls, the wavering, the doubting, those who do not find stability and comfort. Only Your infinite love and comfort can fill them of your love and your strength. Give them the security they need to embrace Your Divine Love and to become strong and determined. (...) Do not allow the enemy to wrap them in deception and perversion but release them from all temptation so that they are able to drag through Your Divine Love to your Mercy. Amen
The Decree of Indulgence 29 June 2002
APOSTOLIC PENITENTIARY DECREE
Indulgences attached to devotions in honour of Divine Mercy
"O God, your mercy knows no bounds and the treasure of your goodness is infinite..." (Prayer after the "Te Deum" Hymn) and "O God, you reveal your almighty power above all by showing mercy and forgiveness..." (Prayer for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time), in these prayers Holy Mother Church humbly and faithfully sings of Divine Mercy. Indeed, God's great patience with the human race in general and with each individual person shines out in a special way when sins and moral failures are forgiven by Almighty God Himself and the guilty are readmitted in a fatherlike way to his friendship, which they deservedly lost.....
the whole text: ----> The Decree of Indulgence 29 June 2002 ( Divine Mercy).doc (36,5 kB)
This Decree has perpetual force, any provision to the contrary notwithstanding.
Archbishop Luigi De Magistris,
Tit. Archbishop of Nova
Major Pro-Penitentiary
Fr Gianfranco Girotti, O.F.M. Conv.,
Regent