Chaplet of Divine Mercy

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a devotional prayer revealed to St. Faustina Kowalska in the 1930s, prayed on rosary beads, focusing on the mercy of God poured out through Christ's Passion. It has been formally approved by the Church and is especially recommended during the hour of death (CCC 2447).

The History

St. Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938), a Polish nun, reported receiving visions of Jesus from 1931 onward. Jesus asked her to paint his image — showing rays of red and white light flowing from his heart — and to spread devotion to his Divine Mercy. The Chaplet was one of the specific prayers he requested. After an initial period of suppression (due to concerns about some expressions), the devotion was formally approved by Pope John Paul II, who canonized Faustina in 2000 and established the Feast of Divine Mercy for the universal Church (CCC 2447).

The Prayer

The Chaplet is prayed on standard rosary beads: after the opening prayers, on each "Our Father" bead: "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 each "Hail Mary" bead: "For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world." The closing: "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world."

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Chaplet required for Catholics? No. Like all private devotions, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is recommended but not obligatory. It is a spiritually rich means of meditating on Christ's Passion and God's mercy — which are central to the Gospel — but it adds nothing doctrinally new to the faith (CCC 67).