How to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet

The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a beautiful devotion to remember the death of Jesus and ask the Father for His mercy because of that death. Jesus mystically told Saint Faustina this prayer would be important for souls in great peril. And it is important for those who already believe. Jesus said He wanted us to pray to trust in Him even more, as His will for us and the world is love and mercy itself.  

The Chaplet is prayed on a common rosary, using opening prayers, five decades and closing prayers. It is especially effective when prayed in the 3 o’clock hour, the time of Jesus’ death.

Opening Prayer:

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

(3x) O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You!

Our Father:

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. 

Hail Mary:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen

Apostles Creed: 

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

On each big 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 smaller bead: 

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

After five decades: 

(3x) Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Closing prayer: Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair, nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen.  

(3x) Jesus, I trust in You