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.
You can also pray this Divine Mercy prayer for urgent help in difficult situations
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.
Where Does the Chaplet Come From?
In 1935, Jesus appeared to Saint Faustina Kowalska and taught her this prayer word by word. He asked her to pray it as an offering to the Father — using His own Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity as the basis of intercession for sinners and for the dying. The Chaplet was not composed by a theologian or a pope. It came directly from Christ, through a humble Polish nun who wrote everything down in her Diary. That origin is part of what makes it so powerful in Catholic tradition. If you want to know more about the woman behind this devotion, read about Saint Faustina Kowalska.
When Should You Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet?
- At 3:00 PM — the Hour of Mercy, when Jesus died on the Cross. He specifically asked for prayer at this hour through Saint Faustina.
- For a dying person — Jesus promised extraordinary mercy at the hour of death for those prayed over with this chaplet.
- In moments of guilt or spiritual heaviness — when you need to be reminded that no sin is greater than God’s mercy.
- During illness or suffering — yours or someone you love.
- As a daily devotion — many Catholics pray it every day as their primary prayer of trust.
- For the conversion of sinners — Jesus attached this intention specifically to the Chaplet.
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.
You may also wish to accompany the Chaplet with the Rosary — a beautiful way to honor both the mercy of Christ and the intercession of Our Lady.
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.
- 3pm – The hour of Mercy – Pray at the hour Jesus died, the most powerful moment of the day for intercession.
- Prayer to Saint Faustina – Ask the apostle of Divine Mercy to intercede for you and those you love.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Divine Mercy Chaplet takes about 10 to 15 minutes to pray completely. It is short enough to fit into any part of the day — morning, lunch, or before sleep.
Yes. While Jesus asked Saint Faustina to pray it especially at 3:00 PM — the Hour of Mercy — the Chaplet may be prayed at any time, for any intention, and in any place.
Ordinary rosary beads. The Chaplet follows the same structure of five decades, using the special Divine Mercy prayers instead of the Hail Mary.
