Lord, Teach Me, I am Listening

Today's Responsorial Psalm 

Psalm 25:4-5AB, 6 AND 7 BC, 8-9

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your kindness are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way.

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in 1937, Saint Faustina wrote in her diary about a visit she had from the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. Read with an open heart and mind the instruction that Our Blessed Mother gave to Saint Faustina; it was meant for us, too. She, who is Queen of Heaven and Earth, tells us directly how to be holy. Do as she says.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Before Holy Communion I saw the Blessed Mother inconceivably beautiful. Smiling at me She said to me, My daughter, at God's command I am to be, in a special and exclusive way your Mother; but I desire that you, too, in a special way, be My child.

I desire, My dearly beloved daughter, that you practice the three virtues that are dearest to Me  -- and most pleasing to God. The first is humility, humility, and once again humility; the second virtue, purity; the third virtue, love of God. As My daughter, you must especially radiate with these virtues. When the conversation ended, She pressed me to Her Heart and disappeared. When I regained the use of my senses, my heart became so wonderfully attracted to these virtues; and I practice them faithfully. They are as though engraved in my heart. (Diary entries 1414 and 1415)

Our Lady of Fatima,Receive Us in Your Love

On October 13, 1917, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, appeared in Fatima, Portugal. It was the last apparition to the three children at Fatima. It was also the day of the Miracle of the Sun.

At Fatima, Our Mother implored that we pray the Holy Rosary every day for peace -- not only for the world, but for our families and ourselves.

If you feel stuck, sad, alone, doubtful, lost -- PRAY THE ROSARY.
You will be healed.

Prayer to Our Lady

O God of infinite goodness and mercy, fill our hearts with a great confidence in your most holy Mother, whom we invoke under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, and grant us by her most powerful intercession all the graces, spiritual and temporal, which we need through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Divine Mercy Prayer of Trust

This prayer from Saint Faustina's diary is commonly said at the end of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Say it whenever possible to invoke God's mercy.

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. (Diary entry 950)

Saint Faustina, Daughter of Poland, Pray for Us

On October 5, 1938, Sister Faustina died to this world and was born into Heaven. This, her feast day, we thank her for her powerful love, acceptance of the Divine Will, and her open heart which led us to better know God's most intense love for us and the mercy which He grants us through the most abundant love.

Now, raised to the altar, Saint Faustina reminded us in her Diary that we must become like Jesus, as she did:

Most sweet Jesus, set on fire my love for You and transform me into Yourself. Divinize me that my deeds may be pleasing to You. May this be accomplished by the power of the Holy Communion which I receive daily. Oh, how greatly I desire to be wholly transformed into You, O Lord! (Diary entry 1289)

Read more about the life of Saint Faustina from the Vatican.

Our Lady of Czestochowa, Queen of Poland, pray for us.

Miriam Teresa DemjanovichIs a Step Closer to Sainthood

Today we celebrate with the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth the beatification of  Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, a true friend in heaven. She died at a young age but had a profound effect on others during her life, and has brought to many the gift of faith since her death. Her spiritual writings are a testament to her knowledge of living a holy Christian life and striving for spiritual perfection. She has granted countless favors through her intercession. Pray to her for a deep love of Christ, and she will intercede!

She was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, in 1901, the youngest of seven children. After attending public schools, she entered the College of Saint Elizabeth and graduated with highest honors in 1923. Two years later she entered the community of Sisters of Charity at Convent Station in New Jersey. In June 1926, her spiritual director, Father Benedict Bradley OSB, asked her to write conferences for the novitiate. She wrote 26 conferences which, after her death, were published in a book, "Greater Perfection." After profession of vows as a Sister of Charity, Miriam died in Saint Elizabeth Hospital on May 8, 1927. She was 26 years old.

It was in May 2012 that Pope Benedict XVI decreed that Sister Miriam be called Venerable. In December 2013 a panel of cardinals and bishops agreed that a healing, the restoration of sight of a blind child, attributed to Sister Miriam had been accomplished through her intercession. On that same day Pope Francis declared it an authentic miracle.

It is most rare in the Catholic Church that a cause for beatification move so quickly through the approval process. Venerable Miriam Teresa was declared Blessed at a ceremony at Sacred Heart Basilica in Newark, New Jersey, today. Her feast day was set as May 8. The next step is Sainthood.

Read more about Blessed Miriam Teresa and join her League of Prayer. Founded in 1946, the League works to honor the Blessed Trinity through the Immaculate Heart of Mary by spreading the knowledge of Blessed Miriam Teresa’s life and mission, and by working for her cause for canonization.

Prayer for Canonization

Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, Whom Sister Miriam Teresa loved so ardently, grant that we, like her, may become ever more conscious of Thy Divine Presence within our souls. We implore Thee to show signs that Thy humble servant enjoys glory with Thee in Heaven, and to hasten the day when we may render her a public tribute of our veneration and love.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

Praise Be the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Saint Faustina wrote in her diary in June 1937:

June 4. Today is the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. During Holy Mass, I was given the knowledge of the Heart of Jesus and of the nature of the fire of love with which He burns for us and of how He is an Ocean of Mercy. Then I heard a voice: Apostle of My mercy, proclaim to the whole world My unfathomable mercy. Do not be discouraged by the difficulties you encounter in proclaiming My mercy. These difficulties that affect you so painfully are needed for your sanctification and as evidence that this work is Mine. My daughter, be diligent in writing down every sentence I tell you concerning My mercy, because this is meant for a great number of souls who will profit from it. (Diary entry 1142)

Prayer to the Most Holy and Sacred Heart of Jesus

O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you, and with lively sorrow for my sins I offer you this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to your will. Grant, Good Jesus, that I may live in you and for you. Protect me in the midst of danger. Comfort me in my afflictions. Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, Your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Amen.

Praise Be the Holy Trinity

[May] 23. The Feast of the Most Holy Trinity.

During Holy Mass, I found myself suddenly united with the Most Holy Trinity. I recognized His majesty and greatness. I was united to the Three Persons. And once I was united to One of these Most Venerable Persons, I was at the same time united to the other Two Persons. The joy and happiness that my soul felt is beyond description. It grieves me that I am unable to put down in words that which has no words. (Diary entry 1129)

Prayer to the Holy Trinity

Glory be to the Father,
Who by His almighty power and love created me,
making me in the image and likeness of God.

Glory be to the Son,
Who by His Precious Blood delivered me from hell,
and opened for me the gates of heaven.

Glory be to the Holy Spirit,
Who has sanctified me in the sacrament of Baptism,
and continues to sanctify me
by the graces I receive daily from His bounty.

Glory be to the Three adorable Persons of the Holy Trinity,
now and forever.

Amen.

Open Your Heart to Jesus

Jesus made it clear to us through the diary of Saint Faustina that we should run to Him, just as a child runs to his parents when sad, upset or in need of advice -- for everything. Jesus's words are filled with comfort and strength. "Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity."

On one occasion, I heard these words: My daughter, tell the whole world about My Inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will I contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy. (Diary entry 699)

Pope John Paul II Becomes a Saint!

What a glorious feast day! Divine Mercy reigns. Thank the Lord for His Goodness in giving us a a true pope, a true father, a true saint: Pope Saint John Paul II. This champion of Divine Mercy is canonized today, and without him there would not be a Mercy feast to celebrate. It was through him that Sister Faustina's diary was published and the Feast of Divine Mercy instituted for the universal church. He beatified Faustina in 1993 and canonized her in 2000.

Pope John Paul II facilitated access to God's Divine Mercy. Let us follow his holy example. We, like the pope, are called to live Divine Mercy. Not just today for the feast but every day. We live Divine Mercy in prayer, in action, in word, in forgiveness, in compassion and in love.

On Divine Mercy Sunday in 2001, John Paul II gave us this prayer at the close of his homily.

"Jesus, I trust in You!" This prayer, dear to so many of the devout, clearly expresses the attitude with which we too would like to abandon ourselves trustfully in Your hands, O Lord, our only Savior.

You are burning with the desire to be loved and those in tune with the sentiments of Your Heart learn how to build the new civilization of love. A simple act of abandonment is enough to overcome the barriers of darkness and sorrow, of doubt and desperation. The rays of Your Divine Mercy restore hope, in a special way, to those who feel overwhelmed by the burden of sin.

Mary, Mother of Mercy, help us always to have this trust in your Son, our Redeemer. Help us too, Saint Faustina, whom we remember today with special affection. Fixing our weak gaze on the divine Savior's face, we would like to repeat with you: "Jesus, I trust in You!" now and for ever. Amen.

Read a timeline of Pope Saint John Paul II's life and his ministry.

The Novena to Divine Mercy - Day 9

Today's Novena to Divine Mercy continues with prayers for those who have become lukewarm in their relationship with Jesus. These souls particularly offend the Most Sacred Heart  of Jesus because they believe yet they choose not to act. Pray intensely for them today.

Jesus asks: Today bring to Me souls who have become lukewarm, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: "Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will." For them, the last hope of salvation is to flee to My mercy.

Let us pray together.

Most Compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself, I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love let these tepid souls, who like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love; and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.

Fire and ice cannot be joined;

Either the fire dies, or the ice melts.

But by Your mercy, O God,

You can make up for all that is lacking.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls, who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy... Amen.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

The Novena to Divine Mercy - Day 8

Today's Novena to Divine Mercy continues with prayers for the souls who are in Purgatory and waiting release into the heavenly kingdom. Your prayers will hasten their journey. Pray for them today.

Jesus asks: Today bring to Me the souls who are in the prison of Purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.

Let us pray together.

Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of the purifying fire, that in that place, too, the power of Your mercy may be praised.

From that terrible heat of the cleansing fire

Rises a plaint to Your mercy,

And they receive comfort, refreshment, relief

In the stream of mingled Blood and Water.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded, manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way than through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

The Novena to Divine Mercy - Day 7

Today's Novena to Divine Mercy continues with prayers for those who believe and trust in Jesus through His Divine Mercy. By praying the novena and chaplet, you are in the company of very blessed and special souls, and our dear Saint Faustina, whose hands God chose to proclaim his message of Love.

Jesus asks: Today bring to me the souls who especially venerate and glorify My mercy, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over My Passion and entered most deeply into My Spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death. 

Let us pray together.

Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy. These souls are united to Jesus and carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.

A soul who praises the goodness of her Lord

Is especially loved by Him.

She is always close to the living fountain

And draws graces from Mercy Divine.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus.  These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their spirit, overflowing with joy, sings a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God: Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promises of Jesus, who said to them, I Myself will defend as My own glory, during their lifetime, and especially at the hour of their death, those souls who will venerate My Fathomless mercy.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

The Novena to Divine Mercy - Day 6

Today's Novena to Divine Mercy continues with prayers for meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. Let us pray for meekness and humility to be pleasing in the eyes of God.

Jesus asks: Today bring to me the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who would keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is able to receive My grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence. 

Let us pray together.

Most Merciful Jesus, Your yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.

A truly gentle and humble soul

Already here on earth the air of paradise breathes,

And in the fragrance of her humble heart

The Creator Himself delights.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek and humble souls, and upon the souls of little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

The Novena to Divine Mercy - Day 5

Today's Novena to Divine Mercy continues with prayers for those who have separated themselves from God's church. Pray for unity and Divine graces for all of us.

Jesus asks: Today bring to Me the souls of heretics and schismatics, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore My Body and Heart; that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church, My wounds heal, and in this way they alleviate My Passion.

Let us pray together.

Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of heretics and schismatics. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to extol the generosity of Your mercy.

Even for those who have torn the garment
of Your unity,
A fount of mercy flows from Your Heart.
The omnipotence of Your mercy, Oh God,
Can lead these souls also out of error.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of heretics and schismatics, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent tor their sake, since they, too,  are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.


Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

The Novena to Divine Mercy - Day 4

Today's Novena to Divine Mercy continues with prayers for who do not believe in God. Pray for them, that they are open to and receive Divine Light.

Jesus asks: Today bring to Me the pagans and those who do not yet know Me. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.

Let us pray together.

Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of pagans who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.

May the light of Your love
Enlighten the souls in darkness;
Grant that these souls will know You
And, together with us, praise Your mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of pagans and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

The Novena to Divine Mercy - Day 3

Today's Novena to Divine Mercy continues with prayers for devout and faithful souls, who are enclosed in Jesus's most Merciful Heart.

Jesus asks: Today bring to Me all devout and faithful souls, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness.

Let us pray together.

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 of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.

The miracles of mercy are impenetrable.
Neither the sinner nor just one will fathom them.
When You cast upon us an eye of pity,
You draw us all closer to Your love.

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 they may 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.


Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Jesus's Resurrection,Weep No More

From Saint Faustina's Diary.

In the evening, over the radio, I heard hymns; that is, psalms, sung by priests. I burst into tears, and all of the pain was renewed in my soul, and I wept sorrowfully, unable to find appeasement in this pain. Then I heard a voice in my soul: Do not cry; I am not suffering any more. And for the faithfulness with which you accompanied Me in My sufferings and death, your own death will be a solemn one, and I will accompany you in that last hour. Beloved pearl of My Heart, I see your love so pure, purer than that of the angels, and all the more so because you keep fighting. For your sake I bless the world. I see your efforts to please Me, and they delight My Heart.

After these words, I wept no more, but thanked the heavenly Father for having sent us His Son and for the work of the Redemption of mankind. (Diary entry 1061)

The Novena to Divine Mercy - Day 2

Today's Novena to Divine Mercy continues with prayers for priests and religious. They especially need our prayers for strength and courage to do the Lord's work and follow his divine Will.

Jesus asks: Today bring to me the souls of priests and religious, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me the strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them, as through channels, My mercy flows out upon mankind. 

Let us pray together.

Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in us, that we may perform worthy works of mercy, and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.

The fountain of God's love
Dwells in pure hearts,
Bathed in the Sea of Mercy,
Radiant as stars, bright as the dawn.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of [chosen ones] in Your vineyard -- upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation, and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Good Friday Prayer

Say an Our Father and a Hail Mary. Then pray,

O Jesus! Heavenly Physician, raised aloft on the Cross to heal our wounds with Thine, remember the bruises which Thou didst suffer and the weakness of Thy Members which were distended to such a degree that never was there pain like unto Thine. From the Crown of Thy Head to the Soles of Thy Feet there was not one spot on Thy Body that was not in torment, and yet, forgetting all Thy sufferings, Thou didst not cease to pray to Thy Heavenly Father for Thy enemies, saying: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

Through this great Mercy, and in memory of this suffering, grant that the remembrances of Thy Most Bitter Passion may effect in us a perfect contrition and the remission of all our sins. Amen.

Taken from the 15 Saint Bridget Prayers.

The Novena to Divine Mercy - Day 1

It's Good Friday, and the first day of the Novena to God's Divine Mercy.

Jesus asks: Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me.

Let us pray together.

Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from it. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Oh omnipotence of Divine Mercy,
Salvation of sinful people,
You are a sea of mercy and compassion;

You aid those who entreat You with humility.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Jesus said to Saint Faustina in August 1937,

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 need in the hardships of life, and especially at the hour of death.

On each day you will bring to My Heart a different group of souls, and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy, and I will bring all these souls into the house of My Father. You will do this in this life and in the next. I will deny nothing to any soul whom you will bring to the fount of My mercy. On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My bitter Passion, for graces for these souls. (Diary entry 1209)

Feast of Mercy:Tell Everyone About It!

Jesus told Saint Faustina that the Feast of Divine Mercy was to be celebrated the Sunday after Easter, on which the image is to be venerated.

On one occasion, I saw Jesus in a bright garment; this was in the greenhouse. [He said to me,] Write what I say to you. My delight is to be united with you. With great desire, I wait and long for the time when I shall take up My residence sacramentally in your convent. My spirit will rest in that convent and I will bless its neighborhood in a special way. Out of love for you all, I will avert any punishments which are rightly meted out by My Father's justice. My daughter, I have inclined My heart to your requests. Your assignment and duty here on earth is to beg for mercy for the whole world. No soul will be justified until it turns with confidence to My mercy, and this is why the first Sunday after Easter is to be the Feast of Mercy. On that day, priests are to tell everyone about My great and unfathomable mercy. I am making you the administrator of My mercy. Tell the confessor that the Image is to be on view in the church and not within the enclosure in that convent. By means of this Image I shall be granting many graces to souls; so let every soul have access to it.  (Diary entry 570)

Divine Mercy Feast Day Is April 27

Read about how to prepare for the Feast of Divine Mercy

Saint Faustina wrote in her diary on Good Friday 1937:

Jesus is commanding me to make a novena before the Feast of Mercy, and today I am to begin it for the conversion of the whole world and for the recognition of The Divine Mercy...so that every soul will praise My goodness. I desire trust from My creatures. Encourage souls to place great trust in My fathomless mercy. Let the weak, sinful soul have no fear to approach Me, for even if it had more sins than there are grains of sand in the world, all would be drowned in the unmeasurable depths of My mercy.  (Diary entry 1059)

To observe this wonderful feast on April 27 and receive holy grace and full forgiveness, do the following:

• Firmly place all your trust in the Divine Mercy of Jesus and His Most Sacred Heart.
• Start a Novena to the Divine Mercy, using the Chaplet, on Good Friday, April 18, in preparation for the feast.
• Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance on April 27, or seven days before or after, with  the desire never to sin again. Be contrite and humble as you pray in front of the tabernacle.
• Receive Holy Communion on April 27.
• Venerate the image of Divine Mercy.
• Practice works of selfless love and mercy, by helping others and offering prayers to save souls.

* * *

My daughter, look into My Merciful Heart and reflect its compassion in your own heart and in your deeds, so that you who proclaim My mercy to the world, may yourself be aflame with it. (Diary entry 1688)

Jesus Says to Us:"Entrust Everything to Me"

Are you having trouble understanding what you should do in life? Are you easily hurt by others' rudeness or mean talk? Go to Jesus and tell Him everything that burdens your heart. He is listening. Read what He told Sister Faustina. She wrote it in this passage, not for herself but for us.

During Holy Hour today, I asked the Lord Jesus if He would deign to teach me about the spiritual life. Jesus answered me, My daughter, faithfully live up to the words which I speak to you. Do not value any external thing too highly, even if it were to seem very precious to you. Let go of yourself, and abide with Me continually. Entrust everything to Me and do nothing on your own, and you will always have great freedom of spirit. No circumstances or events will ever be able to upset you. Set little store on what people say. Let everyone judge you as they like. Do not make excuses for yourself; it will do you no harm. Give away everything at the first sign of a demand, even if they were the most necessary things. Do not ask for anything without consulting Me. Allow them to take away even what is due you -- respect, your good name -- let your spirit rise above all that. And so, set free from everything, rest close to My Heart, not allowing your peace to be disturbed by anything. My pupil, consider the words which I have spoken to you. (Diary entry 1685)

With God, Everything

Saint Faustina wrote in January 1935 that we must always trust in Jesus's Divine Heart.

I do not understand how it is possible not to trust in Him who can do all things. With Him, everything; without Him, nothing. He is Lord. He will not allow those who have placed all their trust in Him to be put to shame. (Diary entry 358)

Have Complete Trust in God

From Saint Faustina's diary in 1935.

On one occasion, the Lord said to me, Why are you fearful and why do you tremble when you are united to Me? I am displeased when a soul yields to vain terror. Who will dare to touch you when you are with Me? Most dear to Me is the soul that strongly believes in My goodness and has complete trust in Me. I heap My confidence upon it and give it all it asks. (Diary entry 453)

Give Your Complete Trust to God

Saint Faustina wrote in her diary in 1937 about the spread of devotion to God's Divine Mercy.

Yesterday I received a letter from Father Sopocko. I learned that God's work is progressing, however slowly. I am very happy about this, and I have redoubled my prayers for this entire work. I have come to learn that, for the present, so far as my participation in the work is concerned, the Lord is asking for prayer and sacrifice. Action on my part could indeed thwart God's plans, as Father Sopocko wrote in yesterday's letter. O my Jesus, grant me the grace to be an obedient instrument in Your hands. I have learned from this letter how great is the light which God grants to this priest. This confirms me in the conviction that God will carry out this work through him despite the mounting obstacles. I know well that the greater and the more beautiful the work is, the more terrible will be the storms that rage against it. (Diary entry 1401)

Let us repeat this prayer each day:  O my Jesus, grant me the grace to be an obedient instrument in Your hands.

Start Believing

He who trusts himself is lost. He who trusts in God can do all things.
-Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Did you pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy today? Here's how to do it. If you aren't sure how to trust in God, start by praying the chaplet. The prayer is simple and takes about 8 minutes. Pray it at least once a day, and preferably at 3 p.m. It is a among the best ways to embark on the road to truth, trust and faith in God.

May God Have Pity on Us

Responsorial Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

Saint Andre Bessette, Pray for Us

Brother Andre, your devotion to Saint Joseph is an inspiration to us. You gave your life selflessly to bring the message of his life to others. Pray that we may learn from Saint Joseph, and from you, what it is like to care for Jesus and do his work in the world. Hear us and help us with our financial needs, and allow us to do good and holy work in honor of the worker, Saint Joseph. Amen.

Praise God's Goodness

In this diary entry of Saint Faustina, we see that God speaks to us, directly to our souls. Open your heart, meditate in a quiet place on God and His Goodness to you, then listen. He will instruct you in all ways. Don't fear, be strong. Seek calm and peace every day.

January 10, 1935. +Thursday. In the evening during benediction, such thoughts as these began to distress me: Is not perhaps all this that I am saying about God's great mercy just a lie or an illusion...? And I wanted to think about this for a while, when I heard a strong and clear inner voice saying, Everything that you say about My goodness is true; language has no adequate expression to extol My goodness. These words were so filled with power and so clear that I would give my life in declaring they came from God. I can tell this by the profound peace that accompanied them at that time and that still remains with me. This peace gives me such great strength and power that all difficulties, adversities, sufferings, and death itself are as nothing. This light gave me a glimpse of the truth that all my efforts to bring souls to know the mercy of the Lord are very pleasing to God. And from this springs such great joy in my soul that I do not know whether it could be any greater in heaven. Oh, if souls would only be willing to listen, at least a little, to the voice of conscience and the voice that is, the inspirations-of the Holy Spirit! I say "at least a little," because once we open ourselves to the influence of the Holy Spirit, He himself will fulfill what is lacking in us. (Diary entry 359)

Prayer to the Infant Jesus of Prague

We honor the Infant Jesus of Prague in the month of January, as the feast of the Holy Name is January 3. Please say this prayer each day this month.

Remember, O Divine Child Jesus, the promises You made in favor of those honoring Your miraculous image and the mysteries it reminds us of Your childhood. Full of confidence in Your Goodness, O Jesus, we come to submit our misery to You.

Grant us, by the infinite merits of Your Incarnation and of Your Holy Childhood, to triumph so well over our enemies and to remain so faithful to You, that we may deserve to be Your servants and to be numbered among Your friends on earth and among Your blissful in heaven. Do not reject our humble prayers, O sweet and almighty Child Jesus, but receive them favorably and be pleased to answer them. Amen.

Pauline Marie Jaricot, Pray for Us

Lord Jesus Christ You came into the world that we may have life and have it to the full.

Pauline Marie Jaricot devoted herself to sharing in your work, establishing the Society for the Propagation of the Faith for all who do not know of this life, and the Living Rosary for those who desire it more abundantly.

Venerable Pauline, you who consecrated your life to spreading the kingdom of heaven by serving God and His people, intercede for us that God may (make your intention).

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who is Lord for ever and ever.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.

Venerable Pauline, mother of poor debtors, pray for us. Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.

Saint Faustina's Prayer for the New Year: O Blessed Host, I Trust in You

1934-1935. New Year's Eve. I was given permission not to go to sleep, but rather pray in the chapel. One of the sisters had asked me to offer an hour of adoration for her. I said yes, and prayed for her for an hour. During the hour, God gave me to understand how very pleasing this soul was to Him.

I offered the second hour of adoration for the conversion of sinners, and I tried especially to offer expiation to God for the insults that were being committed against Him at this present moment. How greatly God is being offended!

I offered the third hour for my spiritual director. I fervently prayed for light for him in a particular matter. Finally the clock struck twelve, the last hour of the year. I finished it in the Name of the Holy Trinity, and I also started the first hour of the New Year in the Name of the Holy Trinity. I asked each of the Three Persons to bless me and, with great confidence, looked toward the New Year which certainly would not be sparing of suffering.

O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the testament of God's mercy for us, and especially for poor sinners.

O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus as proof of infinite mercy for us, and especially for poor sinners.

O Blessed Host, in whom is contained life eternal and of infinite mercy, dispensed in abundance to us and especially to poor sinners.

O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the mercy of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit toward us, and especially toward poor sinners.

O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the infinite price of mercy which will compensate for all our debts, and especially those of poor sinners.

O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the fountain of living water which springs from infinite mercy for us, and especially for poor sinners.

O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the fire of purest love which blazes forth from the bosom of the Eternal Father, as from an abyss of infinite mercy for us, and especially for poor sinners.

O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the medicine for all our infirmities, flowing from infinite mercy, as from a fount, for us and especially for poor sinners.

O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the union between God and us through His infinite mercy for us, and especially for poor sinners.

O Blessed Host, in whom are contained all the sentiments of the most sweet Heart of Jesus toward us, and especially poor sinners.

O Blessed Host, our only hope in all the sufferings and adversities of life.

O Blessed Host, our only hope in the midst of darkness and of storms within and without.

O Blessed Host, our only hope in life and at the hour of our death.

O Blessed Host, our only hope in the midst of adversities and floods of despair.

O Blessed Host, our only hope in the midst of falsehood and treason.

O Blessed Host, our only hope in the midst of the darkness and godlessness which inundate the earth. O Blessed Host, our only hope in the longing and pain in which no one will understand us.

O Blessed Host, our only hope in the toil and monotony of everyday life.

O Blessed Host, our only hope amid the ruin of our hopes and endeavors.

O Blessed Host, our only hope in the midst of the ravages of the enemy and the efforts of hell.

O Blessed Host, I trust in You when the burdens are beyond my strength and I find my efforts are fruitless.

O Blessed Host, I trust in You when storms toss my heart about and my fearful spirit tends to despair.

O Blessed Host, I trust in You when my heart is about to tremble and mortal sweat moistens my brow.

O Blessed Host, I trust in You when everything conspires against me and black despair creeps into my soul.

O Blessed Host, I trust in You when my eyes will begin to grow dim to all temporal things and, for the first time, my spirit will behold the unknown worlds.

O Blessed Host, I trust in You when my tasks will be beyond my strength and adversity will become my daily lot.

O Blessed Host I trust in You when the practice of virtue will appear difficult for me and my nature will grow rebellious.

O Blessed Host, I trust in You when hostile blows will be aimed against me.

O Blessed Host, I trust in You when my toils and efforts will be misjudged by others.

O Blessed Host, I trust in You when Your judgments will resound over me; it is then that I will trust in the sea of Your mercy.

Most Holy Trinity, I trust in Your infinite mercy. God is my Father and so I, His child, have every claim to His divine Heart; and the greater the darkness, the more complete our trust should be. (Diary entries 355-357)