“For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

These were the words that popped into my head while undergoing a recent medical test. The test itself wasn’t difficult, but the results had potentially serious implications.

I pray often, my favorite prayers being the Hail Mary and Our Father. I surprised myself when this prayer from the Chaplet of Divine Mercy was the one that came automatically to mind.

What I appreciate most about it popping into my head were the other words associated with it, “Jesus, I Trust in You.” The Divine Mercy Chaplet, an image of Christ, and those special words were given to Saint Faustina Kowalski during apparitions and locutions beginning in 1931.  

Jesus said to St. Faustina, “Encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given you. Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the Merciful Savior. Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this Chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy. I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy. Through the Chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will.”

When in moments of concern, everything goes easier if we trust in Jesus. We needn’t carry any burden or worry. That is what I was reminded to do during that test: Simply release my concerns into the loving hands of Our Lord.

The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy

(To be prayed on traditional rosary beads.)

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross and pray: One Our Father, One Hail Mary, and The Apostles Creed
2. On the Our Father beads say: 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.
3. On the 10 Hail Mary beads say: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world

Repeat 2 and 3 for all five decades

4. Conclude by saying three times: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy can be said once, everyday, or as a novena – nine days in a row – for a special intention. Jesus asked through Saint Faustina that it especially be prayed as a novena beginning with Good Friday for souls who are indifferent to him.

(Grieving with Mary is available from Amazon.com, ACTA Publications, and my website.)

(Have you seen my last post on Midwest Mary on the Super Berry?)