The Novena to the Divine Mercy, A Quick Introduction & Refresher
As authored by the Marians of the Immaculate Conception for The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy with Notes by the Rosary Hour Podcast
THE HOLY ROSARY | BY THE ROSARY HOUR PODCAST
Welcome to the Novena to the Divine Mercy by The Rosary Hour Podcast as we pray from April 18th until April 26th, the Vigil Mass before Divine Mercy Sunday — a devotion which consists of praying the Chaplet to the Divine Mercy on regular Rosary beads for 9 days with the intentions.
If you are new to this Divine Mercy devotion, we invite you to watch Fr. Anthony’s short discussion on the power of praying this prayer:
THE FOCUS OF THE NOVENA: PRAYERS FOR SPECIFIC SOULS
This novena is unique because it was dictated by Jesus to St. Faustina and recorded in her diary published by Marian Press in Stockbridge, USA.
In this devotion, Jesus tells St. Faustina to pray for groups of souls in different categories — and there is a reparative element to these prayers which calls to mind our offering to God, this prayer for “mercy” not just on “us” but on the “whole world”.
Those who are called to pray this devotion over nine days are asked by Heaven to focus on anyone who might fall into these categories, and thus participate in the redemptive suffering of Christ who died to save souls whom He could foresee would either choose to be saved or choose to reject the Mercy of God.
In a nutshell, the devotion is described by the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, the custodians of the message of Divine Mercy, the image of Divine Mercy, and the Diary of St. Faustina published by Marian Press as follows:
“for each of the nine days, our Lord gave Saint Faustina a different intention”, which is:
- All mankind, especially sinners;
- the souls of priests and religious;
- all devout and faithful souls;
- those who do not believe in God and those who do not yet know Jesus;
- the souls who have separated themselves from the Church;
- the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children;
- the souls who especially venerate and glorify His mercy;
- the souls detained in purgatory;
- and souls who have become lukewarm.
JESUS SAID TO ST. FAUSTINA:"I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the fountain of My mercy, that they may draw therefrom strength and refreshment and whatever grace they have need of in the hardships of life, and especially at the hour of death" (Diary, 1209).
In the following posts, we will follow the published schedule for this novena from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy where Fr. Anthony Gramlich (Founding Spiritual Director of the Rosary Hour Podcast) remains as the Assistant Rector and has given us permission to share the recording of Asher and Amelia captured last year.
https://www.shrineofdivinemercy.org/novenas/divine-mercy-novena
Fr. Anthony speaks below about why God’s greatest attribute is Mercy:
The following is the same prayer being said during the Novena at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy.
Here is their outline for the “Novena to The Divine Mercy”:
"Today bring to Me...
First Day: all mankind, especially all sinners
Second Day: the souls of priests and religious
Third Day: all devout and faithful souls
Fourth Day: those who do not believe in God and those who do not yet know Me
Fifth Day: the souls of those who have separated themselves from My church
Sixth Day: the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children
Seventh Day: the souls who especially venerate and glorify My mercy
Eighth Day: the souls who are detained in Purgatory
Ninth Day: souls who have become lukewarm
...and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy."
Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wonderous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.
ENROL IN THE CHAPLET TO THE DIVINE MERCY NOVENA HERE:
https://forms.shrineofdivinemercy.org/novenas/?nid=39&redirect=sodm
and sign-up here to pray with Amelia and etc.
Finally, you can review Fr. Anthony’s notes on “How Divine Mercy is the gateway to Heaven”.