Prayer to Honor God's Name

Thanking God and blessing His Holy Name is a wonderful way to honor Him. Pray this responsorial psalm.

Responsorial Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14

R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

I will extol you, O my God and King,
and I will bless your name forever and ever.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.

R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.

R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.

R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

The LORD is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.

R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

Today's Gospel 'Come to Me, All You Who Labor and Are Burdened'

It is easy to let your troubles overtake your joy, peace, calmness and kindness. Many times, the problems tempt you to feel overwhelmed. Jesus, in today's Gospel reading, says very directly to bring to Him all your woes and worrying. We can do this by praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, by offering our burdens to Him when praying before the Blessed Sacrament and before we seek the Sacrament of Penance. Prayer is a gift for you and to God.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus exclaimed:
"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to little ones.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

Sacred Heart Litany

O Divine and Sacred Heart of Jesus, please love us, heal us, help us, guide us and bless us with God's everlasting peace and mercy. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You.

Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy

Christ, hear us
Christ, graciously hear us.

The response is *Have mercy on us.

God the Father of Heaven,*
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,*
God, the Holy Spirit,*
Holy Trinity, One God,*
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,*
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother,*
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God,*
Heart of Jesus, of Infinite Majesty,*
Heart of Jesus, Sacred Temple of God,*
Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High,*
Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven,*
Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity,*
Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love,*
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,*
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,*
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,*
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,*
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all treasures of wisdom and knowledge,*
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity,*
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased,*
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received,*
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,*
Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful,*
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke Thee,*
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness,*
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,*
Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium,*
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses,*
Heart of Jesus, obedient to death,*
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,*
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,*
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection,*
Heart of Jesus, our peace and our reconciliation,*
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins,*
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee,*
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee,*
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the Saints,*

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray;

Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy most beloved Son and upon the praises and satisfaction which He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and to those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy great goodness, grant forgiveness in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who livest and reignest with Thee forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of Faith in God's Mercy

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole word. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. Amen. (Diary entry 1319)

Divine Mercy Sunday Is Today

Today, a new day has dawned for you.
A fresh start.

The second Sunday of Easter, proclaimed by Pope Saint John Paul II, is known as Divine Mercy Sunday.

It is a magnificent feast day for the Holy Church. Why? Because the Sacred Heart of Jesus is ready to forgive all who approach Him. All sin, all misery and all sadness are wiped away if you come with a contrite spirit.

First, we must be open to God's Mercy. Second, we must forgive others and seek their forgiveness. Third, we must go to Jesus, ask for His Mercy, then proclaim God's graciousness to us.

Today's Gospel reading is about trust and God's Mercy. Jesus appears to the disciples after the Resurrection, saying "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

But Thomas isn't there to see Him. A week later the disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,  and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Jesus was patient with Thomas. Jesus is patient with us. Trust in Him!

Good and Glorious God, today we celebrate the feast of Your Most Benevolent Divine Mercy that is Your greatest attribute and exemplary of Your Love for us. Please heal us through Your Goodness as we honor You today by:

• Acknowledging our sins and sinful ways and having sorrow for them.
• Receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance.
• Receiving Holy Communion.
• Venerating the image of Divine Mercy.
• Being merciful and compassionate with others.
• Rejoicing, for God's Mercy is limitless.

Do each of the above points today, April 23.

This Feast emerged from the very depths of My mercy, and it is confirmed in the vast depths of My tender mercies. Every soul believing and trusting in My mercy will obtain it. (Diary entry 420)

* * *

Go to your parish church and ask that the Chaplet of Divine Mercy become part of the daily devotions offered. Urge your pastor to include opportunities to pray the Chaplet as a group on special feast days and at church events. 


Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy to save souls.

The Novena to Divine Mercy - Day 9

The Novena to Divine Mercy concludes 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. Have we not felt lukewarm at times? These souls have great potential and we can help them. Pray intensely for those who are lukewarm 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.