In 1931, our Lord appeared to St. Faustina, a Polish nun, in a vision. She saw Jesus clothed in a white garment with His right hand raised in blessing. His left hand was touching His garment in the area of the Heart, from where two large rays came forth, one red and the other pale.

In the Diary of St. Faustina, she records that Jesus asked her to paint an image according to the pattern she saw, with the signature “Jesus, I trust in You”. She was also to write down the Divine Mercy Novena which He would dictate to her each day and she was to start this novena on Good Friday.

Starting on Good Friday, we should therefore take time away from our daily responsibilities, and begin praying the Novena. Each day has a new petition that seeks God’s mercy for different purposes.  It is a powerful way to intercede for our loved ones and the entire world by bringing all before the merciful gaze of Christ.

The message of The Divine Mercy is simple. It is that God loves us – all of us. And, He wants us to recognise that His mercy is greater than our sins so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy.

The Divine Mercy novena is prayed between Good Friday and the Sunday of Divine Mercy (the Sunday following Easter).

To pray the novena, open with the prayer for the day's intention from the Novena to the Divine Mercy. and then pray the Chaplet to the Divine Mercy.