How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
The Divine Mercy Chaplet is one of the most powerful prayers in the Catholic tradition. Here is a complete, step-by-step guide to praying it correctly.
By CandleFaith Team
The Divine Mercy Chaplet was given to St. Faustina Kowalska by Jesus Christ in the 1930s. It is prayed on ordinary rosary beads and takes about 15 minutes. Jesus promised extraordinary graces to those who pray it — especially at the 3:00 PM Hour of Mercy.
What You Will Need
- A standard rosary (5 decades)
- A quiet place and about 15 minutes
- An open heart
How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
Opening Prayers (on the large bead before the crucifix)
Begin with the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Apostles' Creed.
Then say 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 Each Decade
On the large (Our Father) bead, 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."*
On each of the 10 small (Hail Mary) beads, say: *"For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."*
Repeat this for all five decades.
Closing Prayer (said three times)
*"Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world."*
Optional Closing
*"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."*
The 3:00 PM Hour of Mercy
Jesus specifically asked St. Faustina to pray the Chaplet at 3:00 PM — the Hour of His death on the Cross. He said: *"At three o'clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony."*
You can pray it at any time, but 3:00 PM carries a special significance in this devotion.
The Promises of Divine Mercy
Jesus promised St. Faustina:
- Those who recite the Chaplet will receive great mercy at the hour of death
- Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy during their lifetime
- Priests who recommend it to dying sinners will be filled with peace
Praying the Chaplet for Someone Who Is Sick or Dying
Many Catholics pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet specifically for those who are ill, dying, or in spiritual danger. Light a candle on CandleFaith for that person and offer the Chaplet in union with your candle — a powerful combination of petition and trust.
"Jesus, I trust in You." — The Divine Mercy motto