Novena in preparation for DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY. Good Friday is the first day of the Divine Mercy Novena. Novena begins Friday, April 18, 2025, to Saturday, April 26, 2025, leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday on April 27, 2025 | Link ~ https://divinemercy.life/the-divine-mercy-novena/
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 🙏🏽
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:
- A daily intention, as revealed to St. Faustina.
- The recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, which is usually prayed on Rosary beads.
- 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.
- Day 2 (Holy Saturday): Pray for the souls of priests and religious.
- Day 3 (Easter Sunday): Pray for all devout and faithful souls.
- Day 4 (Easter Monday): Pray for those who do not believe in God and those who do not yet know Jesus.
- Day 5 (Easter Tuesday): Pray for the souls of those who have separated themselves from the Church.
- Day 6 (Easter Wednesday): Pray for the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children.
- Day 7 (Easter Thursday): Pray for the souls who especially venerate and glorify God’s mercy.
- Day 8 (Easter Friday): Pray for the souls detained in purgatory.
- Day 9 (Easter Saturday): Pray for the souls who have become lukewarm.
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/
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/