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/
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.🙏🏽