The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a powerful Catholic devotion centered on trust in God’s infinite mercy. Revealed by Jesus to Saint Faustina Kowalska in the 1930s, this chaplet was faithfully preserved in her Diary. It invites us to place our sins, fears, and suffering into the Heart of Christ.
When you feel overwhelmed by guilt, fear, or suffering, the Divine Mercy Chaplet becomes a prayer of surrender. It reminds us that no sin is greater than God’s mercy, and no darkness stronger than Christ’s redeeming love. In this simple yet profound prayer, we place our trust not in our own strength, but in the infinite mercy of God.
Traditionally prayed at 3:00 PM — the Hour of Mercy — this chaplet may be prayed at any time, especially for the dying, for the conversion of sinners, and during times of spiritual need.
During Lent, many Catholics also incorporate it into their daily prayer routine as part of a deeper season of repentance and trust.
How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed on ordinary rosary beads and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
You begin with the Sign of the Cross, followed by the opening prayers, and then pray five decades using the special Divine Mercy prayers.
For this reason, many faithful pray it alone or with others, in church or at home, especially before an image of the Divine Mercy or a crucifix.
This chaplet can be beautifully included in a broader Lenten prayer plan.
The Divine Mercy Chaplet
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Optional 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.
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of mercy for us, I trust in You!
(Repeat three times.)
Begin with
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.
The 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 the large bead before each decade (pray once)
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 the ten small beads (pray ten times)
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
(Repeat for five decades.)
Concluding Prayer (pray three times)
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Optional 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.
Final Invocation (Optional)
Many faithful conclude the Divine Mercy Chaplet by repeating three times:
Jesus, I trust in You.
This simple act of trust echoes the message of Divine Mercy and reflects the words written beneath the image revealed to Saint Faustina.
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Continue in Prayer
If you would like to deepen this devotion, you may also pray:
- Divine Mercy Novena – A nine-day preparation leading to Divine Mercy Sunday.
- 40 Days of Lenten Prayers – A daily guide to grow in prayer throughout Lent.
- Catholic Lent Guide 2026 – Understand the meaning, fasting rules, and spiritual practices of the season.