How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is prayed on rosary beads with five decades. Jesus taught it to St. Faustina in 1935, and many people pray it at 3 pm, the Hour of Mercy. Pray along below, one bead at a time, or read the steps further down.
Amen. You finished.
Get a gentle reminder at 3 pm, the Hour of Mercy.
Remind me at 3 pmThe chaplet, step by step
Use a rosary. The steps follow the beads, from the crucifix around the loop.
1Make the Sign of the Cross
On the crucifix.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2Say the opening prayersOptional
Say the first prayer once, then the second three times.
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!
Diary 1319, 187
3Pray the Our Father
On the first large bead.
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.
4Pray the Hail Mary
On the next small bead.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among 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.
5Pray the Apostles' Creed
On the next small bead.
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 Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will 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 life everlasting. Amen.
6Pray the Eternal Father on each large bead
Start each of the five decades with this prayer.
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.
Diary 476
7Pray on the ten small beads of each decade
Say this on each of the ten small beads.
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Diary 476
8Repeat for all five decades
Go around the loop: Eternal Father on the large bead, then ten small beads, five times.
9Conclude with Holy God, three times
On the medal, or without beads.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Diary 476
10Closing prayerOptional
Optional.
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.
Diary 950
When to pray the chaplet
You can pray it any time. Jesus asked St. Faustina to pray it especially at 3 pm, the hour He died (Diary 1320). It is also prayed at the bedside of the dying (Diary 811) and as a novena from Good Friday to Divine Mercy Sunday.
Questions people ask
How long does the Divine Mercy Chaplet take?
About 5 to 10 minutes said, or around 15 to 20 minutes sung.
Do I need special beads?
No. Use ordinary rosary beads. You can also count on your fingers, or use the counter above.
What is the difference between the chaplet and the rosary?
Both use the same beads. The rosary meditates on mysteries from the lives of Jesus and Mary with Hail Marys. The chaplet repeats one offering, "Eternal Father," on the large beads and "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" on the small beads.
Why is the chaplet prayed at 3 pm?
3 pm is the hour of Jesus’ death. St. Faustina recorded His request to call on His mercy at that hour (Diary 1320, 1572).
Can I pray it for someone who is dying?
Yes. The Diary records special promises for the dying when the chaplet is prayed at their side (Diary 811, 1541).
Keep praying
Sources: Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, Divine Mercy in My Soul (Marian Press), paragraphs cited inline.