DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY: THE FEAST OF MERCY:  Today is the eighth and final day of the Octave of Easter. On this day, the Octave of Easter, we celebrate the Feast of Mercy. From ancient times the Easter octave, culminating on the 8th day, has been centered on the theme of God’s mercy and forgiveness. The final day of the octave celebration of Easter is meant to be a day of thanksgiving to God for His goodness to mankind through the Paschal mystery, that is, the Passion, death, and Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. The Second Sunday of Easter was named Divine Mercy Sunday by Pope St. John Paul II. On May 5, 2000, Pope Saint John Paul II decreed that the Second Sunday of Easter, the Octave of Easter, would be known as Divine Mercy Sunday following a request from Our Lord in His private revelations to St. Faustina Kowalska in Vilnius Lithuania.

The feast was established by the Pope after he canonized Saint Faustina, a humble Polish nun to whom Jesus revealed His message of divine mercy. On this day Jesus promised to open the floodgates of His inexhaustible mercy and shower abundant graces on those who participate in this feast day. A plenary indulgence is granted (under the usual conditions of sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father) to the faithful who, in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus.

The Original Image of Divine Mercy is venerated in the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Vilnius, Lithuania. What is spelled out in the Original Image of Divine Mercy is that Divine Mercy comes from the Body of Christ. And the Mystical Body of Christ is the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. And that Divine Mercy flows from the Mystical Body of Christ through the hands of the Holy Catholic Priesthood, in, with, and through Jesus, who is the High Priest.

Saint Faustina writes in her Diary:

On one occasion, I heard these words: My daughter, tell the whole world about My Inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened (Diary #699).

“He who knows how to forgive prepares for himself many graces from God. As often as I look upon the cross, so often will I forgive with all my heart.” ~ Diary 390

“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.”

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

“Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”… Amen 🙏🏽

            Jesus, I trust in You!

Prayer for Trust in The Divine Mercy of God

Most merciful Jesus, I turn to You in my need. You are worthy of my complete trust. You are faithful in all things. When my life is filled with confusion, give me clarity and faith. When I am tempted to despair, fill my soul with hope.

Most merciful Jesus, I trust You in all things. I trust in Your perfect plan for my life. I trust You when I cannot comprehend Your divine will. I trust You when all feels lost. Jesus, I trust You more than I trust myself.

Most merciful Jesus, You are all-knowing. Nothing is beyond Your sight. You are all-loving. Nothing in my life is beyond Your concern. You are all-powerful. Nothing is beyond Your grace.

Most merciful Jesus, I trust in You, I trust in You, I trust in You. May I trust You always and in all things. May I daily surrender to Your Divine Mercy. 

Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, Pray for us as we turn to you in our need. Amen 🙏🏽

Novena in preparation for DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY. Good Friday is the first day of the Divine Mercy Novena. Novena begins Friday, April 3, 2026, to Saturday, April 11, 2026, leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday on April 12, 2026 | Link ~ https://divinemercy.life/the-divine-mercy-novena/

DIVINE MERCY NOVENA

How to Recite the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy | The Divine Mercy
https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/pray-the-chaplet

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/novena-13366

The Divine Mercy Novena is a treasured Catholic devotion that leads the faithful into a deeper understanding and trust in God’s boundless mercy. Spanning nine days of intentional prayer, this novena is a spiritual preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday, a feast that celebrates God’s loving desire to forgive, heal, and restore.

For 2025, the Divine Mercy Novena begins on Good Friday, April 18, and concludes on Saturday, April 26, the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday.

What Is a Novena?

A novena derived from the Latin word novem, meaning “nine” is a devotional act of prayer over nine consecutive days. It is one of the oldest forms of Christian prayer, reflecting the nine days the disciples and Mary spent in prayer between the Ascension and Pentecost (Acts 1:14).

Novenas are offered for various reasons, including:

• Seeking a specific grace or favor,
• Preparing for a major feast or celebration,
• Honoring a saint or divine attribute,
• Mourning the dead,
• Expressing thanksgiving to God.

The Divine Mercy Message

The Divine Mercy devotion stems from the visions and writings of St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun to whom Jesus revealed His desire to pour out His mercy upon the world. In her diary, Jesus instructed her to pray a novena of mercy, starting on Good Friday, with a special intention for each day. These intentions include various groups such as sinners, priests, souls in purgatory, the faithful, and those who have distanced themselves from God.

At the heart of this devotion is the prayer:
“Jesus, I trust in You.”

How to Pray the Divine Mercy Novena

The novena includes:

1. A daily intention, as revealed to St. Faustina.
2. The recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, which is usually prayed on Rosary beads.
3. Optional reflections from the Diary of St. Faustina or meditative prayers.

Many Catholics pray this novena at 3:00 p.m., the Hour of Mercy, to commemorate the hour of Christ’s death—a powerful time for prayer and reflection.

Daily Intentions for the Divine Mercy Novena

Jesus revealed to St. Faustina specific prayer intentions for each day of the novena, inviting the faithful to bring different groups of souls into the ocean of His mercy:

• Day 1 (Good Friday): Pray for all mankind, especially sinners.

“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.🙏🏽

• Day 2 (Holy Saturday): Pray for the souls of priests and religious.

“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.🙏🏽

• Day 3 (Easter Sunday): Pray for all devout and faithful souls.

“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.🙏🏽

• Day 4 (Easter Monday): Pray for those who do not believe in God and those who do not yet know Jesus.

“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.🙏🏽

• Day 5 (Easter Tuesday): Pray for the souls of those who have separated themselves from the Church.

“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.🙏🏽

• Day 6 (Easter Wednesday): Pray for the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children.

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.🙏🏽

• Day 7 (Easter Thursday): Pray for the souls who especially venerate and glorify God’s mercy.

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.🙏🏽

• Day 8 (Easter Friday): Pray for the souls detained in purgatory.

“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.🙏🏽

• Day 9 (Easter Saturday): Pray for the souls who have become lukewarm.

“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. 🙏🏽

Each day’s prayers can be paired with the Divine Mercy Chaplet, offering it for the specific group mentioned. This structure invites us to pray not only for ourselves but for the whole Church and the entire world, embracing the universal call to mercy.

Why This Novena Matters

The Divine Mercy Novena is a beautiful reminder that no one is beyond God’s mercy. It is an invitation to intercede not only for ourselves but also for the world, asking God to soften hearts, bring healing, and renew souls. It helps us grow in humility, trust, and compassion, drawing us into the very heart of Christ who said:

“The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy.”
—Jesus to St. Faustina

Whether you are new to this devotion or returning to it once again, the Divine Mercy Novena is a powerful journey of hope and healing. It draws us closer to God—not with fear, but with confidence in His love.

Merciful Jesus, You have poured out upon the world a river of mercy and grace through Your passion, death, and resurrection. As we journey through this novena, open our hearts to trust in You more deeply, to bring the broken and the forgotten before Your throne, and to believe in the power of Your love. May we never tire of seeking You or offering You to others.
Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.🙏🏽

“How to Recite the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy | The Divine Mercy | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/17/divine-mercy-novena/

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