Join Us in Praying the Divine Mercy Novena Beginning April 2 2021

Dear Friends,

Good Friday is the day that Jesus asked Saint Faustina that a 9 day novena to the Divine Mercy be initiated.  He gave her a different group of souls to pray for each day.  Along with those intentions the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is said as well. The novena leads up to Divine Mercy Sunday instituted by Pope John Paul II. Attached is a link to the Divine Mercy Novena and how to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. 

May the Children’s Rosary humbly ask that you include our intention with the intentions you are praying this Divine Mercy Novena. We wish for Our Lord to guide the Children's Rosary in the way that it most pleasing to Him as we continue forward.

Please remember that to become a member of the Children’s Rosary you only have to tell Our Lord in your heart of your desire to join us and then you will be included in all of these novenas and rosaries said daily. We thank you!

Intention:

MAY THE CHILDREN’S ROSARY, THEIR FAMILIES, THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHILDREN’S ROSARY INCLUDING OUR PRIESTS, OUR BISHOP AND OUR HOLY FATHER THE POPE BE THE EXTENDED HANDS OF OUR BLESSED MOTHER AND HER SON. MAY WE GATHER A GREAT MANY SOULS ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE LORD.  MAY WE EXPERIENCE RENEWAL OF FAMILY PRAYER AND SPREAD IT ACROSS THE GLOBE. MAY A GREAT MANY PEOPLE BE BROUGHT TO THE CHILDREN'S ROSARY THAT WE MAY BLANKET THE EARTH WITH PEOPLE WANTING TO BE THE EXTENDED HANDS OF MARY AND JESUS. AMEN

We are excited to share that we have a beautiful recording of the children leading the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.  We invite you to pray with them as you say your novena.

LINK TO PRAY THE CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY WITH MEMBERS OF THE CHILDREN'S ROSARY

Divine Mercy Sunday 2019

Dear Friends,
Today we had a special Divine Mercy Event at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in West Hartford, Connecticut USA. This is the parish where the Children's Rosary first began. The organizers of the Divine Mercy Event invited the Children's Rosary to lead the Rosary.

One of the intentions that was mentioned aloud before beginning the Rosary was for all the members of the Children's Rosary. A first class relic of St. Faustina was present for the Event. While touching the relic in a special way I prayed for the members of the Children's Rosary. Please know you were remembered today in prayer. One of the very special blessings of the day was the grace of having the children lead the prayers in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

For those of you who may not be aware we have a beautiful Chaplet of Divine Mercy recorded by members of the Children's Rosary. It is moving. Click HERE to listen and pray along with it. 

Thank you all and may you have a blessed Divine Mercy Sunday.

Your Friend in Christ,
Blythe

Mercy In Action: The Children Visit a Leper Community on Divine Mercy Sunday

On Divine Mercy Sunday a group children who are part of the Children's Rosary set out to visit the St. Francis of Assisi Community.  This is a group of approximately 86 Lepers living 30 minutes outside of Bien Hoa City Vietnam.  

They brought soap for each person and a bag of food for each person.  The children felt that on Divine Mercy Sunday this is where they wanted to be...reaching out to those marginalized and alone. 

The children not only brought nourishment for the body they also led a Rosary with them. 

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Presentation of Mary
Resources to Help Begin a Group

Don't forget to unify prayers with the children during their meetings. A schedule of meetings is present on our website. By clicking "Join in Prayer" you can add your gold flashing light to our View from Heaven map.

Divine Mercy Novena Starts Today!

Good Friday is the day that Jesus asked Saint Faustina that a 9 day novena to the Divine Mercy be initiatied.  He gave her a different group of souls to pray for each day.  Along with those intentions the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is said as well.  The novena leads up to Divine Mercy Sunday instituted by Pope John Paul II. Attached is a link to the Divine Mercy Novena and how to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. 
The picture above was drawn by a member of the Children's Rosary.

"Open your soul in Confession as you would to Me, and I will fill it with My light"

"Today the Lord has been teaching me, once again, how I am to approach the Sacrament of Penance: My daughter, just as you prepare in My presence, so also you make your confession before Me.  The person of the priest is, for me only a screen....open your soul in confession as you would to Me, and I will fill it with My light"(Diary of St. Faustina, 1725).

This photo was taken just before we began one of Our Children's Rosary meetings.  The picture was taken by a child of a child in Confession.  Never before have I seen such a beautiful representation of Confession.  Indeed the light filling the soul is so beautifully represented streaming in through the stained glass windows upon the child.  The screen completely obscures the identity of the priest which is also beautiful as one can more easily envision Our Lord listening with a bent ear to each detail.

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church we are told that when the priest "celebrates the sacrament of Penance, the priest is fulfilling the ministry of the Good Shepherd who seeks the lost sheep, of the Good Samaritan who binds up wounds, of the Father who awaits the prodigal son and welcomes him on his return, and of the just and impartial judge whose judgement is both just and merciful.  The priest is the sign and the instrument of God's merciful love for the sinner." (Catechism #1466)

We are very grateful to the priests who give of their time to make this sacrament available to so many.  In the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut USA,  each Monday evening every Church in the Archdiocese is open for Confession between 6-7PM ET.  We are very grateful for this precious gift.

Weathering the Storms Faithfully in Prayer

This past Sunday as we left Church the wind was howling and the snow was blowing in our faces as we walked.  We were in the midst of another snow storm, one of many that have hit the Northeastern part of the United States. Looking over as we left the Church I saw the statue of Our Blessed Mother.  Many times the children have gathered around her in the summer to pray the Rosary.  However,  now most of her body was no longer visible with snow up to her elbows and a large dollop on her head.  The snow buffeted her and swirled around her at times. In the midst of the wind and biting cold there stood Our Lady with the most gentle and sweet expression on her face peacefully with her hands folded in prayer.  In looking at Our Lady I was reminded of her faithfulness to prayer despite the trials that she encountered. 
For many of us the snow and cold this year have been a source of suffering.  So many struggling to stay warm.  The cold is just one form of suffering that many have had to endure. Yet within the storms that swirl around us there is also much joy.  Our Lady helps us to see the sweetness in the crosses we carry and the fruits that can come when we unify our suffering to that of her Son's suffering.   

"There is but one price at which souls are bought", Jesus told St. Faustina, "and that is suffering united to My suffering on the cross (Dairy 324).

St. Faustina Prayer For Us!

Peace Rose Planted for Our Lady
by members of the Children's Rosary 

Today, October 5th,  the Church remembers St. Faustina.  Her Diary is a treasure.  Below are a few quotes to reflect on from the Diary:

“You should not worry too much about adversities. The world is not as powerful as it seems to be; its strength is strictly limited.. Know, my daughter, that if your soul is filled with the fire of My pure love, then all difficulties dissipate like fog before the sun's rays and dare not touch the soul. All adversaries are afraid to start a quarrel with such a soul, because they sense that it is stronger than the whole world...”

 "Be grateful for the smallest of My graces, because your gratitude compels Me to grant you new graces." 

Jesus said, "Yes, I will be with you always, if you always remain a little child and fear nothing. As I was your beginning here, so I will also be your end. Do not rely on creatures, even in the smallest things, because this displeases Me. I want to be alone in your soul. I will give light and strength to your soul, and you will learn from My representative that I am in you, and your uncertainty will vanish like mist before the rays of the sun."

"He who knows how to forgive prepares for himself many graces from God. As often as I look upon the Cross, so often will I forgive with all my heart."

"I desire that priests proclaim this great mercy of Mine towards souls of sinners. Let the sinner not be afraid to approach Me. The flames of mercy are burning Me - clamoring to be spent; I want to pour them out upon these souls"

[Once] when I saw how much my confessor [probably Father Sopocko] was to suffer because of this work which God was going to carry out through him, fear seized me for the moment, and I said to the Lord, "Jesus, this is Your affair, so why are You acting this way toward him? It seems to me that You are making difficulties for him while at the same time ordering him to act."Write that by day and by night My gaze is fixed upon him, and I permit these adversities in order to increase his merit. I do not reward for good results but for the patience and hardship undergone for My sake."

What to Do when One Keeps Stumbling?

Raising children is a challenge.  At least for my part I find myself with times of little patience and plenty of frustration.  As with many things such times of struggle seem to go in waves.  Times when things seem to be going pretty well at least with one child and then something begins with another.  It is such times when I wonder why the Lord called me to work with children.  From my vantage point I have encountered so many wonderful mothers.  

It is at such low moments that I consider from my position that at least I will not be drawn to judge other parents as I find myself lacking in so many ways.  The asisitance of Our Blessed Mother has been a source of considerable help as I frequently ask her to help me be a better mother and also ask her to help make up for that which is lacking in me. 

Through these frequent stumbles there is a place that offers additional grace and strength.  It is the confessional.  While some may advise monthly confession I seem to find myself seeking the sacrament weekly.  Some may think this is excessive.  Yet the more one wants to draw closer to Our Lord the more sensitive one becomes to the barrier sin presents in hearing His whisper.  Some years ago while reading the book Interior Castles by St. Teresa of Avila I was struck by her description of sin and how it obscures the inner light of Our Lord within us.  As more sin accumulates especially mortal sin it is as though a blanket is put over the inner light of our soul.  "No night can be so dark, no gloom nor blackness can compare to its obscurity. Suffice it to say that the sun in the centre of the soul, which gave it such splendour and beauty, is totally eclipsed, though the spirit is as fitted to enjoy God's presence as is the crystal to reflect the sun" (Intererior Castles).

While a soul in a state of grace is desribed by St. Teresa, "In a state of grace the soul is like a well of limpid water, from which flow only streams of clearest crystal. Its works are pleasing both to God and man, rising from the River of Life, beside which it is rooted like a tree". (Interior Castles) 

As with many of us we only want to be doing what is pleasing to Our Lord and in keeping with His Will.  But in order to hear His direction in all things one must be free of the fog of sin which serves to muffle that which Our Lord is trying to convey to us.  So in this way there is always a desire within to seek out this wonderful sacrament to keep wiping away any fog that roles in as a result of our weakness.

St. Faustina in her diary includes the following "Write, speak of My mercy. Tell souls where they are to look for solace; that is, in the Tribunal of Mercy [the Sacrament of Reconcilliation] There the greatest miracles take place [and] are incessantly repeated. To avail oneself of this miracle, it is not necessary to go on a great pilgrimate or to carry out some external ceremony; it suffices to come with faith to the feet of My representative and to reveal to him one's misery, and the miracels of Divine Mercy will be fully demonstrated." (Diary 1148)

“Lord to Whom Shall We Go”

These are the words Simon Peter spoke to Jesus in the Gospel reading from Mass today.

These words invoke a deep interior reflection for this would be a phrase that has come to give me much consolation.  May I share that as an individual who has spent a great deal of my life in the study of the sciences in particular dentistry and the specialty of Endodontics,  my mind has been trained to work in testing hypothesizes and working with facts.  This training fosters a mind keen to details and solidly pragmatic.  Such was the way I responded to an illness that took me by surprise.  It would turn out to be a genetic condition that brings with it a deterioration of ones collagen prematurely due to a genetic defect.  Such deterioration brings with it joint dislocations, pain, weakness and a host of other manifestations.  As a trained clinician my mind began sifting through the details of the case.  What were the factors that seemed to trigger such a rapid decline in function.  How could these be slowed, mitigated and even reversed.  There must be a dogmatic answer or a doctor to right that which was clearly dysfunctional.  Such was the path I set out on.  To talk and speak to anyone who was doing research in this area and to study the condition myself through review of scientific literature. Yet this journey in the world of details seemed to lead no where.  No one had the magic bullet to slow the rapid deterioration in health I was experiencing.  

As a practicing Catholic attending Sunday Mass only, I vividly recall picking up a prayer card with prayers honoring Our Lady’s seven sorrows.  It lay for a long time right by the back door.  One day on the way out the door I picked it up.  I looked at it and interiorly said, I am not bad enough.  It reminds me of a hair dresser I once talked to who complained of back pain but was wearing designer shoes.  I suggested she wear a pair of orthopedic shoes like mine.  She looked at my shoes and said, my back would have to get much worse before I would ever consider wearing those.  I laugh at such a statement because this is what I thought deep in my heart.  Things would have to get much worse to change my pursuit of a scientific solution to my problems and look elsewhere for help.  Yet such would be my fate.  All the things I held on so tightly to: my fierce independence and self reliance would be stripped away layer by layer.  Slowly, I would have to ask for help with everything.  Luxuries such as driving would be lost and even the strength to open the refrigerator.  Yes I would find that place where I would finally give up my pursuit of the details and begin to look elsewhere.  

The gate that opened began with a confession which was long overdue. A pamphlet on Divine Mercy was the wind that blew the door wide open.  Indeed all the despair which seemed to be swallowing me up was washed away by an enveloping feeling of hope.  This began a road in a different direction.  One that ended with a the phrase spoken today, "Lord to whom shall we go"(John 6:68) or the way I find myself saying it in prayer, Lord where else would I go.  Yes this is such a comforting phrase to me. For it is a truth that has been tested in the fire of intense suffering and has shown never to fail.  After exhausting all earthly directions only one place remained...to live and rest in the heart of Our Lord. To not only seek out His love but to be consumed by His love.

When a soul finds this truth it is such a consolation and strength.  Many souls I suspect find out this fact with far less resistance but such was my path.

"Earthly Angels"

Children's Rosary at St. Marguerite Parish

Jesus asked that a novena to His Divine Mercy begin on Good Friday and continue for 9 days.  He asked that a specific intention be prayed for each day.  On the 6th day of the novena His intention is for the meek and humble souls and the souls of children:

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. (Diary of St. Faustina 1220)

It is clear from this intention how precious are the souls of little children and those with a humble heart, for Our Lord calls them His earthly Angels.  It is a consoling thought to know that these little ones provided strength during Our Lord's bitter agony.  Today we are blessed to have at least three Children's Rosary groups meeting.  

Please consider joining the Children in prayer.  They always pray for those unifying prayers with them.  It is a beautiful thought to imagine the prayers of these little ones are ushering up our prayers as well to the very Throne of God.
April 25th
The Children's Rosary at St. Mary's School in Orange, Texas will meet at 7:05AM CT
The Children's Rosary at St. Mary's School in Pontiac, Illinois will meet at 9:00AM CT
The Children's Rosary at St. Marguerite Parish in Brookfield, Connecticut will meet at 3PM ET.
April 26th
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Corvallis, Oregon 9AM PT

Other posts you may enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Novena of Divine Mercy
Why Does the Lord Test Us?

"I Want You To Be Open and Simple as a Child"

Children's Rosary in Brentwood, California

As we approach Divine Mercy Sunday this weekend it seems a wonderful opportunity to continue to reflect on some portions of the diary of St. Faustina.  The diary is truly such a treasure.  One portion, Jesus speaks of the importance of being open and simple as a child. 

"When I entered the chapel, I heard these words in my soul: I want you to be open and simple as a child with My representative just as you are with Me; otherwise I will leave you and will not commune with you" (Diary #494).

Today we are blessed to have at least two Children's Rosary groups meeting.  Two groups are meeting at the exact same time despite being in different time zones and many miles a part. Please consider joining the Children in prayer from your home.  The children always pray for those unifying prayers with them.

The Children's Rosary at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Brentwood, California will meet at 6:30 PM ET in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Children's Rosary at St. Martin Church in Kingsville, Texas will meet at 6:30 PM ET.

Thank you all and may you have a blessed Easter Thursday.

Trust

Several months ago I asked one of my children why the Children's Rosary is important.  He responded, "because it shows God we trust in Him".  This was an answer I had not expected but upon reflection indeed it was true.  To spend time in prayer is a way of showing Our Lord we trust in Him and believe He is listening to our prayers.  As we approach Divine Mercy Sunday, it seemed a perfect time to refect on a little portion of the Diary of St. Faustina in which Our Lord explains to St. Faustina how pleasing is a soul who trusts in Him.

"I seek and desire souls like yours, but they are few. Your great trust in Me forces Me to continuously grant you graces. You have great and incomprehensible rights over My Heart, for you are a daughter of complete trust. You would not have been able to bear the magnitude of the love which I have for you if I had revealed it to you fully here on earth. I often give you a glimpse of it, but know that this is only an exceptional grace from Me. My love and mercy knows no bounds." (Diary of St. Faustina #718)

The Children's Rosary at Holy Redeemer Parish in Menominee, Michigan will be meeting today at 5PM Central Time. Please consider joining the children in prayer.  The children always pray for those unifying prayers with them.

"The Greater the Sinner, the Greater the Right He Has to My Mercy."

As Divine Mercy Sunday approaches this Sunday it is beautiful to contemplate the words Our Lord shared to St. Faustina about His Mercy:

"I perform works of mercy in every soul. The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy. My mercy is confirmed in every work of My hands. He who trusts in My mercy will not perish, for all his affairs are mine, and his enemies will be shattered at the base of My footstool" (Diary of St. Faustina #723).

These words are such a comfort for us who stumble so often and feel discouraged.  For my own part, when I have found myself offending Our Lord through sin there is a natural tendency to shrink and look away from Him. To draw away and want to put asside prayer.  Yet Our Lord's words to St. Faustina, "the Greater the Sinner, the Greater the Right He Has to My Mercy" well up and then there is a renewed hope and a conviction to not look away but rather begin a new with more resolve.  Yes, at such low moments there is a knowledge that to doubt Our Lord's Mercy would offend Him more and thus to take up ones Rosary and pray looking to Heaven, appealing to Our Lord's Mercy, seems the most pleasing course.

Today we are blessed to have at least three Children's Rosary groups meeting. Please consider joining us today for the Rosary.  The children always pray for those unifying prayers with them.

April 21st
Children's Rosary at Holy Trinity Academy in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania 12:20 PM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Family Church in Gladstone, Michigan 4:30 PM ET.
Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist Church in Mahopac, New York 4:30 PM held in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Children and the Diary of St. Faustina

The following is an excerpt from the Diary of St. Faustina:

765 "On one occasion, I saw the convent of the new congregation.  As I walked about, inspecting everything, I suddenly saw a crowd of children who seemed to be no older than five to eleven years of age.  When they saw me they surrounded me and began to cry out, “Defend us from evil,” (179) and they led me into the chapel which was in this convent.  When I entered the chapel, I saw the distressful Lord Jesus.  Jesus looked at me graciously and said that He was gravely offended by children:  You are to defend them from evil.  From that moment, I have been praying for children, but I feel that prayer alone is not enough."

In speaking with Fr. Andrew Apostoli recently he brought this passage to my attention.  There are several things that struck me:

The first was a call to defend children from evil spoken both by the children themselves and by Jesus.  The children just didn’t ask for protection they cried out for help which would imply an urgency.

The second is that young children between the ages of 5 and 11 offend Our Lord Jesus.  

What are we to do with such a piece of information.  St. Faustina’s reaction was to pray for them but she herself says this alone did not seem to be enough.  What if the children were to pray themselves?  Would that please Our Lord and help to foster their own interior growth?

How does a parent or anyone start to encourage prayer for their children.  One such avenue is to join a Children’s Rosary group or start one. A Children’s Rosary is a prayer group composed of children and lead by children.  Once a month or if interest exists weekly the children meet together with their peers to pray the rosary.  It is here in prayer that they begin to reflect on the life of Jesus.  As the Rosary is repetitive in nature it is ideally suited for children.  As each child prays a decade we are told that fruits are given.  If one were praying the first joyful mystery the fruit of that prayer is humility and the second joyful mystery is love of neighbor.  How beautiful to contemplate ones children growing in the virtues in such a gently way.  I have often reflected on the many deficiencies I have as a mother and am consoled by the thought of Our Blessed Mother helping in the shaping of my children.  For when we bring our children to her in prayer she makes up for our deficiencies enveloping them in a maternal love so strong one can not fully appreciate such a thing. Another way to initiate your children into prayer is to have a small family prayer every night.

Some posts you may find helpful:

How to Start a Children's Rosary

How to Begin Family Prayer

Find a Children's Rosary Near You.

Divine Mercy Novena Starts Today!

Good Friday is the day that Jesus asked Saint Faustina that a 9 day novena to The Divine Mercy be initiated.  He gave her a different group of souls to pray for each day.  Along with those intentions the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is said as well.  This novena leads up to Divine Mercy Sunday instituted by Pope John Paul II.  I am attaching a link to the Divine Mercy Novena and how to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.  

Novena to The Divine Mercy

The Diary of St. Faustina is such a treasure of beautiful ways Jesus calls us to come to the fountain of His mercy.  I am including a few of my favorite excerpts:  

In the Old Covenant I sent prophets wielding thunderbolts to My people. Today I am sending you with My mercy to the people of the whole world. I do not want to punish aching mankind, but I desire to heal it, pressing it to My merciful Heart. I use punishment when they themselves force Me to do so; My hand is reluctant to take hold of the sword of justice. Before the Day of Justice I am sending the Day of Mercy. (1588)

Let souls who are striving for perfection particularly adore My mercy, because the abundance of graces which I grant them flows from My mercy. I desire that these souls distinguish themselves by boundless trust in My mercy. I myself will attend to the sanctification of such souls. I will provide them with everything they will need to attain sanctity. (1578)

Have confidence, My child. Do not lose heart in coming for pardon, for I am always ready to forgive you. As often as you beg for it, you glorify My mercy. (Jesus to souls striving for perfection and holiness - 1488)

I desire that priests proclaim this great mercy of Mine towards souls of sinners. Let the sinner not be afraid to approach Me. The flames of mercy are burning Me - clamoring to be spent; I want to pour them out upon these souls. (Diary of St. Faustina 50)

This one seemed especially fitting for today, being Good Friday:

Jesus tells us:

“there is no way to heaven except the way of the cross. I followed it first. You must learn that it is the shortest way.... I am giving you a share in those sufferings because of My special love for you and in view of the high degree of holiness I am intending for you in Heaven. A suffering soul is closer to My heart.” (Words spoken by Jesus to St. Faustina diary 1487)

Leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday, it is my hope to include more reflections and quotes from the Diary of St. Faustina here on this blog.

Thank you all and may Our Lord cover you with His Divine Mercy. Amen.

How To Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Optional Opening Prayers

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

O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy can be said with traditional Rosary beads.

Begin with the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Apostle's Creed:

Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.

Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

The Apostle's Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Then, on the large bead before each decade:

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 the ten small beads of each decade, say:

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Conclude with (Say 3 Times):

Holy God,
Holy Mighty One,
Holy Immortal One,
have mercy on us
and on the whole world.

Optional Closing Prayer

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.

Stop Asking Questions and Pray

Have you ever worked and prayed toward something good and on the eve or day of the event  found yourself under a barrage of challenges and your response a disappointment.  Do the challenges highlight in neon lights all your spiritual flaws so that anyone could see them crystal clear?  Yes, this has been my experience.  It is at these times that one starts to question many things such as whether the soul has any business planning religious events or efforts when it is in a very sorry state itself.  Yes, this is where I found myself today but something stopped the tail spin that had begun.  It was a call to stop the useless questioning and pray.  


A passage from the diary of St. Faustina comes to mind, one I have taken solace in many times:

January 7.  During the Holy Hour, the Lord allowed me to taste His Passion.  I shared in the bitterness of the suffering that filled His soul to overflowing.  Jesus gave me to understand how a soul should be faithful to prayer despite torments, dryness, and temptations; because oftentimes the realization of God’s great plans depends mainly on such prayer.  If we do not persevere in such prayer, we frustrate what the Lord wanted to do through us or within us.  Let every soul remember these words:  “And being in anguish, He prayed longer.”  I always prolong such prayer as much as is in my power and in conformity with my duty.

Do You Want A Special Apostolic Blessing From Pope John Paul II

The Holy Father Bl. John Paul II, by a personally signed parchment, imparted a Special Apostolic Blessing "to all the faithful, who during Adoration of Our Most Merciful Savior in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Alter will be praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the sick and for those throughout the world who will be dying in that hour." The Apostolic Blessing extends indefinitely for all who choose to participate.

The Apostolic Blessing was first given on the occasion of the Great Jubilee of the year 2000.

Favorite Quotes by Pope John Paul II
Prayer of Pope John Paul II

Favorite Quotes by St. Faustina

Feast of St. Faustina October 5th

Quotes Taken from the Diary of St. Faustina:

332+Thursday. When I started the Holy Hour, I wanted to immerse myself in the agony of Jesus in the Garden of Olives. Then I heard a voice in my soul: Meditate on the mystery of the Incarnation . And suddenly the Infant Jesus appeared before me, radiant with beauty. He told me how much God is pleased with simplicity in a soul. Although My greatness is beyond understanding, I commune only with those who are little. I demand of you a childlike spirit. 

86 [Once] when I saw how much my confessor [probably Father Sopocko] was to suffer because of this work which God was going to carry out through him, fear seized me for the moment, and I said to the Lord, "Jesus, this is Your affair, so why are You acting this way toward him? It seems to me that You are making difficulties for him while at the same time ordering him to act."

Write that by day and by night My gaze is fixed upon him, and I permit these adversities in order to increase his merit. I do not reward for good results but for the patience and hardship undergone for My sake.

92 Humiliation is my daily food. I understand that the bride must herself share in everything that is the groom's; and so His cloak of mockery must cover me, too. At those times when I suffer much, I try to remain silent, as I do not trust my tongue which, at such moments, is inclined to talk for itself, while its duty is to help me praise God for all the blessings and gifts which He has given me. When I receive Jesus in Holy Communion, I ask Him fervently to deign to heal my tongue so that I would offend neither God nor neighbor by it. I want my tongue to praise God without cease. Great are the faults committed by the tongue. The soul will not attain sanctity if it does not keep watch over its tongue. 

320 Jesus made known to me how very pleasing to Him were prayers of atonement. He said to me, The prayer of a humble and loving soul disarms the anger of My Father and draws down an ocean of blessings. After the adoration, half way to my cell, I was surrounded by a , pack of huge black dogs who were jumping and howling and trying to tear me to pieces. I realized that they were not dogs, but demons. One of them spoke up in a rage, "Because you have snatched so many souls away from us this night, we will tear you to pieces." I answered, "If that is the will of the most merciful God, tear me to pieces, for I have justly deserved it, because I am the most miserable of all sinners, and God is ever holy, just, and infinitely merciful." To these words all the demons answered as one, "Let us flee, for she is not alone; the Almighty is with her!" And they vanished like dust, like the noise of the road, while I continued on my way to my cell undisturbed, finishing my Te Deum and pondering the infinite and unfathomable mercy of God.

324 The next day, I felt very weak, but experienced no further suffering. After Holy Communion, I saw the Lord Jesus just as I had seen Him during one adoration. The Lord's gaze pierced my soul through and through, and not even the least speck of dust escaped His notice. And I said to Jesus, "Jesus, I thought You were going to take me. "And Jesus answered, My will has not yet been fully accomplished in you; you will still remain on earth, but not for long. I am well pleased with your trust, but your love should be more ardent. Pure love gives the soul strength at the very moment of dying. When I was dying on the cross, I was not thinking about Myself, but about poor sinners, and I prayed for them to My Father. I want your last moments to be completely similar to Mine on the cross. There is but one price at which souls are bought, and that is suffering united to My suffering on the cross. Pure love understands these words; carnal love will never understand them. 

342 Suffering is the greatest treasure on earth; it purifies the soul. In suffering, we learn who our true friend is. 

343 True love is measured by the thermometer of suffering.