The Message of Divine Mercy was given to Faustina Kowalska, a young Polish Catholic Nun. In the 1930's this nun began hearing from the Lord during her prayer time. When she revealed these happenings to her spiritual director, she was instructed to start keeping a diary of these messages. This uneducated young woman was able to leave us a 600 page diary of her prayer revelations beginning in the year 1934 and continuing for four years. She died from tuberculosis in 1938. Her life had been one of humility, obedience, and silent suffering. She filled her diary with prayers and mystic experiences which share the Message of Divine Mercy to the world, from our Lord. The message she recieved is now being spread throughout the world.
"I feel certain that my mission will not come to an end upon my death, but will begin. O doubting souls, I will draw aside for you the veils of heaven to convince you of God's goodness." from the diary of Sister Faustina
The message of mercy is about God's love for us...all of us, no matter how great our sins are. He wants us to know this, and realize that His Mercy is greater than any of our sins. He wants us to call on Him in trust. And He wants us to be merciful to others. We are to ask for his mercy, be merciful to others, and trust in Him. Because we have been given free will, we must turn to Him and ask for this mercy in order to recieve it.
Sister Fautina writes this message in her diary, as she heard it from the Lord, "Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more then they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My Compassion"
As a part of this message we are also to be merciful to others. We know this message as a part of the Lord's Prayer..."Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" is telling us that in forgiving we are forgiven. This seems reinforced by this message to ask for mercy and then ask mercy for others."Beg for mercy for the whole world" the diary goes on to report. And the promise that follows says "No soul that has called upon My mercy has ever been disappointed."
Although the diary of this holy nun was kept from 1934 to 1938, she had indeed been having revelations long before this time. In 1931, Our Lord had appeared to her in a vision. What Sister Faustina saw was Jesus as the image of Divine Mercy. She saw him dressed in a white garment. His right hand was raised in a gesture of giving a blessing. His left hand was touching his garment over the area of his heart. From the Savior's heart came two large rays of light, one red and the other pale,depicting the blood & water which came from his crucified body when his side was pierced.Jesus spoke to her, telling her to have a painting made of him as she was seeing him in the vision. He asked that the painting be inscribed with the words,"Jesus, I Trust in You."
Jesus promised her that all who would venerate this image would not perish. He also promised victory over their enemies, especially at the time of their death. He promises to defend these souls Himself...and to be an unending source of mercy that they can come to. This source of mercy is the image he showed this nun in her vision, inscribed "Jesus I Trust in Thee." How wonderfully comforting this message is!
In 1941 this message was brought to the USA by Fr. Joseph Jarzebowski, a member of the Congregation of the Marians of Immaculate Conception. This message was brought to the United States, but the Catholic Church did not give it full approval until July 12,1979. Until that time is was spread as a private devotion. Fr. Joseph, after asking for a safe return from Poland to the USA, during those troubled times, promised he would spread this devotion for the rest of his life. Along with the vision of the image of Divine Mercy, Sister Faustina recieved a prayer of Divine Mercy. And because it is said on the same prayer beads used to recite the Rosary, it is called a chaplet. The words of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy prayers were also revealed to this nun in her prayertimes. This devotion, as well as the Rosary prayer are being said by many Catholics,as well as by some of the Protestant faiths. both claim to recieve blessings from this practise.
For a full explanation of the Divine Mercy Message you may write to Marian Helpers in Stockbridge, MA. 01263 or call 1-800-462-7426 (USA) or 1-800-344-2836 (Canada) they also have a website, keywords Divine Mercy Message.
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, full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed art thou amoung 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
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the cummunion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen On the single bead before each group of ten beads say:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in attonement for our sins and those of the whole world. On the 10 beads( a decade) say:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. After saying the whole chaplet, conclude with: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Repeat this 3 times.