Good Friday Reflections (received from Fr. Edwin Mercado)

Reflections from a man who donated blood one Good Friday: 

I gave blood, Christ gave His. 

I gave a  pint, He gave it all. 

My needle's short and sharp, His nails where large and dull 

My cot was soft and restful, His cross was rough and  hard

My med-techs were kind and gentle, His soldiers were cruel and mean

The  crowd  applauded my sacrifice, those who passed by reviled Him

Mine was type A positive,  His was  positive for all  

Mine, at best, will prolong life for awhile.  

His without a doubt, will  SAVE  us  all for eternity 

A blessed Good Friday. 

Plenary indulgence  is available for those who  will join the public veneration  of the cross of Jesus this Good Friday. Please avail  of Gods wonderful saving graces. 

http://www.pwhs-mfi.org/newsletter/news23/faqs_indulgences.htm

How To Gain a Plenary Indulgence

How To Gain a Plenary Indulgence

An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints. (1983 Catechism ¶ 1471)

In other words, an indulgence can take away some or all of the temporal punishment due to sin, either for ourselves or for others, as we choose. Temporal punishment is one of the consequences of sin, which does not go away even if the sinner truly repents of the sin in this life; the other is eternal punishment, which is due the unrepentant sinner.  The amount of punishment due a particular sin includes all the possible consequences of the sin, not only to the sinner but to the community in the present and the future. Temporal punishment can occur in this life (penance and mortification are two examples of voluntary acts that can count to reduce temporal punishment; suffering the consequences of the sin involuntarily can count as well) or in Purgatory in the hereafter. Indulgences both partial and plenary are two other ways to reduce temporal punishment. Partial indulgences take away some of the punishment, but plenary indulgences take away all of it! Like all the best deals, there are rules. Plenary indulgences are not easy to obtain.  

Plenary Indulgences can be acquired only once each day for the same work (unless one is at the moment before death, in which case the person may acquire another). Another exception is on All Souls Day — November 2 — when the faithful may gain a plenary indulgence, only for the souls in Purgatory, as often as they want). Notice that one might acquire additional plenary indulgences the same day as long as they are for different works.

Plenary indulgences are much more demanding than partial indulgences, for they require one to do all the following. These are “the usual conditions” for receiving a plenary indulgence:

• have the intention of gaining the indulgence

• receive the Sacrament of Penance (within several days before or after the prescribed action of the indulgence, though the same day is best, if possible)

• receive the Eucharist (within several days before or after the prescribed action of the indulgence, though the same day is best, if possible)

• pray 6 Paters (Our Fathers), 6 Aves (Hail Marys), and 6 Glorias (Glory Be’s) for the intentions of the Holy Father (within several days before or after the prescribed action of the indulgence, though the same day is best, if possible). The most recent Enchiridion [Church's official handbook on indulgences] prescribes at least one of each, but 6 is the traditional number.

• perform the prescribed action of the indulgence. If the prescribed action of the indulgence requires a visit to a church or oratory, one must visit devoutly and recite 1 Our Father and the Creed. This doesn’t refer to any visits to a church for Confession or the Eucharist in order to fulfill the requirements listed above; it refers to such indulgences as those granted to the faithful for visiting a church on the day of its consecration, visiting their parochial church on its titular feast day, visiting the stational churches of Rome, etc.

• be free from all attachment to sin, including venial sin. This last is most difficult, but if it can’t be fulfilled, a partial indulgence at least will be gained.

Some examples of actions to gain a plenary indulgence:

• Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for at least one hour

• Making the Way of the Cross or, if unable to get to a church, the pious meditation and reading on the Passion and Death of Our Lord for a half an hour

• Private recitation of five decades of the Rosary. This must be done vocally, continuously, and while meditating on the Mysteries

• Public recitation of five decades of the Rosary. This must be done vocally, continuously, and with the Mysteries announced out loud and meditated on.

• A plenary indulgence is granted on each Friday of Lent to the faithful who after Communion piously recite before an image of Christ crucified the prayer: “Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus.” On the other days of the year the indulgence is partial. The prayer is written below.

Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before your face I humbly kneel, and with burning soul pray and beseech you to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment, while I contemplate with great love and tender pity your five wounds, pondering over them within me, calling to mind the words which David, your prophet, said of you, my good Jesus: “They have pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones” (Ps 21, 17-18).

• A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who renew their baptismal promises in the liturgy of the Easter Vigil

• A plenary indulgence is granted when an Act of Consecration is publicly recited on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (go to end to see this prayer)

• A plenary indulgence is received by those who publicly make the Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart on the Feast of Christ the King (last Sunday in October per the traditional calendar, last Sunday of Pentecost per the Novus Ordo calendar) (Go to end to see this prayer)

• A pious visit to a church, a public or chapel on All Souls’ Day (November 2) with the prayers of one Our Father and the Creed; this indulgence is applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory.

• A devout visit to a cemetery with a prayer, even if only mental, for the departed souls, from the first to the eighth day of November.

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.

I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.

I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.

Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thy altar. We are Thine, and Thine we wish to be; but to be more surely united with Thee, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to Thy most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known Thee; many too, despising Thy precepts, have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart. Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned Thee; grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. Be Thou King of all those who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry or of Islamism, and refuse not to to draw them all into the light and kingdom of God. Turn Thine eyes of mercy towards the children of that race, once Thy chosen people: of old they called down upon themselves the Blood of the Savior; may It now descend upon them, a laver of redemption and of life. Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: “Praise be to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be glory and honor for ever.” Amen.

Source:

thewhitelilyblog

Plenary Indulgence on Nov 1-8. Let us avail and share info!

Praying for the Dead and Gaining Indulgences During November

Explaining indulgences and practices Catholics can do during the month of November for the Poor Souls in Purgatory.

Directions

It is during November that the Church meditates on the Communion of Saints, which is the charitable link with the faithful who have already reached heaven (Church Triumphant), the faithful departed who are still expiating their sins in Purgatory (Church Suffering) and of the pilgrim faithful here on earth (Church Militant). "In this wonderful exchange, the holiness of one profits others, well beyond the harm that the sin of one could cause others. Thus recourse to the communion of saints lets the contrite sinner be more promptly and efficaciously purified of the punishments for sin." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1475).

On November 1st the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints, a holyday of obligation, honoring all those faithful in heaven. Throughout November the Church also remembers our faithful departed. The need and duty of prayer for the departed souls has been acknowledged by the Church at all times. It is recommended in the Scriptures of the Old Testament: "It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins."(2 Macch. 12, 46). This duty has found expression not only in public and private prayers but especially in the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the repose of souls.

Throughout November the Church prays for all who are in the purifying fires of Purgatory, waiting for the day when they will join the company of the saints in heaven. The celebration of Mass is the highest means the Church can provide for charity for the dead, but we can also relieve their sufferings through our prayers, sufferings and penances. We an also help the Poor Souls by doing acts and prayers that have indulgences attached to them. There are many indulgences, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, that can be obtained during the month of November.

An indulgence is "the remission before God of the temporal punishment due for sins already forgiven as far as their guilt is concerned." To obtain this remission there are proper dispositions and certain conditions predetermined by the Church that must be met by the faithful. The remission is acquired through the intervention of the Church, who has the power to loose and bind granted through Jesus Christ. "As minister of the Redemption, authoritatively dispenses and applies the treasury of the satisfaction won by Christ and the Saints" (Enchiridion of Indulgences).

To understand this practice of indulgences, the Catechism explains:

[I]t is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the "eternal punishment" of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the "temporal punishment" of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.

The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God entail the remission of the eternal punishment of sin, but temporal punishment of sin remains. While patiently bearing sufferings and trials of all kinds and, when the day comes, serenely facing death, the Christian must strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a grace. He should strive by works of mercy and charity, as well as by prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the "old man" and to put on the "new man." (1472, 1473)

An indulgence can either be partial or plenary. It is partial if it removes only part of the temporal punishment due to sin, or plenary if it removes all punishment.

To be able to gain an indulgence, one must have the intention to gain them, and perform the works at the time and in the manner prescribed.

To attain a plenary indulgence, three conditions must accompany the prescribed act:

1. the faithful must receive the sacrament of confession, either eight days before or after the pious act is performed,
2. receive Holy Communion on that day
3. and recite prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father (one Our Father and one Hail Mary is the minimum, but any other additional prayers may be added).

All attachment to sin, even venial sin, must be absent. If one's disposition is less than perfect or if some of the above conditions are not fulfilled, the indulgence becomes partial.

One must also remember that one can acquire one plenary indulgence a day.

Indulgenced Acts for the Poor Souls A partial indulgence can be obtained by devoutly visiting a cemetery and praying for the departed, even if the prayer is only mental. One can gain a plenary indulgence visiting a cemetery each day between November 1 and November 8. These indulgences are applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory.

A plenary indulgence, again applicable only the Souls in Purgatory, is also granted when the faithful piously visit a church or a public oratory on November 2. In visiting the church or oratory, it is required, that one Our Father and the Creed be recited.

A partial indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, can be obtained when the Eternal Rest (Requiem aeternam) is prayed. This is a good prayer to recite especially during the month of November:

Requiem aeternam dona ei (eis), Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei (eis). Requiescat (-ant) in pace Amen.

Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Many families add to the "Prayer Before Meals" the second half of the "Eternal Rest" prayer:

Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts, Which we are about to receive, from Thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord, Amen. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Other families recite the "Eternal Rest" prayer in between decades of the rosary.

It is a good devotion to pray for the departed all through the year, not just November. After these Souls in Purgatory are in heaven, they will intercede for us. We should all develop prayerful habits, such as praying the "Eternal Rest" prayer when passing cemeteries, to remind us of our eternal destiny.

For more information on the Church's teachings on indulgences, read the Enchiridion of Indulgences given by the 1968 Decree of the Sacred Apostolic Penitentiary.

Also see The Catechism of the Catholic Church section on Indulgences, Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 2, Article 4, Subsection 10, 1471-1479..

Jennifer Gregory Miller Jennifer G. Miller

Activity Source: Original Text (JGM) by Jennifer Gregory Miller, © Copyright 2003-2009 by Jennifer Gregory Miller

Source:

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=1178

Let us prepare for Divine Mercy Sunday/Feast Day- April 11, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

During the Lenten season, let us pray for the grace to follow Gods will in our lives, the grace of forgiveness. It is this time of the year again that we celebrate a beautiful gift given to us by Jesus the Divine Mercy. On Sunday April 11, 2009 is the Feast Day of the Divine Mercy (Sunday after Easter Sunday).

Enclosed are the materials that admonish the importance of this devotion and in particular the graces to be received on this feast day. Among the requirements would be to have a good sacramental confession before that day.

Please take time to read this and please pass this to others and encourage more people to avail of these blessings!

Let us celebrate the promise of Jesus to St. Faustina on that special day!  

"The soul that will go to confession and receive holy communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment . On that day are opened all the divine floodgates through which graces flow. Let no soul fear  to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it thoughout all eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is my desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Found of My mercy "

Let's not deny ourselves and our loved ones taking that one step closer to heaven.

 

God bless!

www.ourdivinemercy.info

www.ourdivinemercy.multiply.com

www.ourdivinemercy.webs.com

www.ourdivinemercy.blogspot.com

 

 

THE DIVINE MERCY DEVOTION

 

Please help spread the devotion to the Divine Mercy.  After all, this devotion is the fulfillment of Jesus' promise that He will offer mercy to mankind before He comes as God of justice.  It is now UP TO US to take His offer willingly, with complete trust and a faithful YES. 

There may be a lot of impediments because there is no denying the other side is fighting very very hard to make it IMPOSSIBLE for people to receive this grace. You will encounter all kinds of deterrents and excuses internally and externally. But as Padre Pio said " Have courage and do not fear the assaults of the devil. Remember this forever, IT IS A HEALTHY SIGN IF THE DEVIL SHOUTS AND ROARS AROUND YOUR CONSCIENCE, SINCE THIS SHOWS THAT HE IS NOT INSIDE YOUR WILL . "  So if you are confronted by IMPOSSIBLE, will it and make it POSSIBLE. Most especially, inform you loved ones especially those who are old and those who are sick. They will find solace in this grace and find that as long as they are ready, there is nothing to fear. It's now your choice .

For additional information,  please go to  www.ourdivinemercy.info  and www.ourdivinemercy.multiply.com   These sites are continously updated but nonetheless contains most information (prayers, etc) needed related to the devotion to the Divine Mercy. 

 

May we all radiate God's love and mercy to more people.

Please pass this to others.

HAVE A HOLY WEEK. HAVE A HOLY LENTEN SEASON.

 

 

 

Why We Should Remember to Celebrate the Feast of the Divine Mercy

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

On Sunday, 30 April 2000, Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass for the canonization of Sr. Mary Faustina Kowalska, a 20th-century Polish religious known as the apostle of Divine Mercy.  In his homily ( Sr. Faustina: God's Gift to Our Time), the Pope said, "It is important then that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on this Second Sunday of Easter (also referred to as Sunday after Easter, 1^st Sunday After Easter, Second Sunday of Easter and Low Sunday), which from now on throughout the Church will be called 'Divine Mercy Sunday.'"

Words of Jesus to St. Faustina, from the Diary of St Faustina

"No soul will be justified until it turns with confidence to My mercy and this is why the first Sunday after Easter is to be the Feast of Mercy….."(570)

"This feast emerged from My most tender pity and it is confirmed in the depths of My Mercy......I desire that it be celebrated with great solemnity on the first Sunday after Easter........I desire that the feast of mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. The very depths of My tender mercy are open on that day. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon souls who will approach the fount of My Mercy!" (I, 175; ii, 138).

"I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My mercy (1109)…"

"Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishments (300)…"

"The soul that will go to confession, and receive holy communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment (699)..........let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though it's sins be as scarlet!". (ii, 138).

 

 

About confession with the Priest

 

" When you go to confession, to this fountain of mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flow down upon your soul (1602)... In the Tribunal of Mercy [the sacrament of Reconciliation]...the greatest miracles take place and are incessantly repeated (1448) ...Here the misery of the soul meets the God of Mercy……(1602)."

 

" Come with faith to the feet of My representative (1448)...I myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest... I Myself act in your soul (1602)... Make your confession before Me. The person of the priest is, for Me, only a screen. Never analyze what sort of a priest it is that I am making use of; open your soul in confession as you would to Me, and I will fill it with My light (1725)... .."

 

 

The importance of PLENARY INDULGENCE to the Catholic faithful:

 

Please don't neglect to avail of the PLENARY INDULGENCE offered to all who will hear mass on DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY,  the sunday after easter.

Plenary indulgence means the COMPLETE FORGIVENESS OF SINS INCLUDING PUNISHMENTS. Through this, we are able to fully reconcile with the Lord and prepare ourselves better for a life worthy of heaven (compounded each time we receive indulgences plenary or partial)

When we confess, our sins are forgiven but the punishments remain. When we die, we will go through purgatory ( which is actually a part of heaven but acts as sort of a cleansing area ) to serve the punishments we merited until we are cleansed. Then we can go to heaven.

If one receives plenary indulgence, all sins including punishments are erased. Therefore, if you receive it today and die tomorrow, you will go straight to heaven. If you die a year after, you will only pay for that one year.  That is why the plenary indulgence is a beautiful gift. All God is waiting for is for us to open that gift.

 

The conditions to receive PLENARY INDULGENCE are only the following:

To receive plenary indulgence, one must:

 

1. Be in a state of grace.

      Jesus said to St. Faustina... "My daughter, know that without doubt, and once 

      and  for all, only mortal sin drives Me out of a soul, and nothing else."

   

To be in a state of grace means to have no mortal sin at that time (which presumes that the sacrament of confession was availed as well). A good and sincere sacramental confession will put us in a state of grace.  A good sacramental confession is one where we do not knowingly withhold any sin (that we feel ashamed of) because that will constitute sacrilege to the sacrament and nullify it. When we confess to a sin but with no serious desire to rectify it, the or without a contrite intention of doing anything to prevent yourself from sinning again, it also nullifies it. (ex. you confess that you missed mass which is a mortal sin but plan on missing mass the next day or dont intend to go to mass the next sundays).

 

One  is considered to have committed mortal sin when one consciously makes a choice to do something that he/she knows is wrong or not in keeping with our Catholic faith. And the consequence of this action causes "damage" to ones self, others you know or even others you do not know. Let us consider three reasons-.

 

• As a catholic bred person, we may have thought mortal sin was a violation of the ten commandments only
• When one commits mortal sin, which is a conscious and  intellectual choice (though not an intelligent one), you are choosing to separate yourself from God.   God is unable to give us the graces He wants to give if we are the ones who distanced ourselves from Him. Simple as a parent would reluctantly withhold privileges from a child who ran away until the child comes home and reconciles (not even learn to the lesson because that takes a long time sometimes). Mortal sin drives Jesus away.
• Sometimes  you have to ask to receive.  To be forgiven, we have to say sorry and ask for forgiveness. As we usually expect others who have hurt us. This without prejudice to other denominations who have their own teachings on how to ask forgiveness and be forgiven. This should be viewed without conflict.   Sacramental confession applies to us Catholics. No imposition on others then. Let us reconcile with the fact that by our human nature alone,  we are open and giving to people who reconcile with us and often find ourselves closed out to people who have hurt us or distanced themselves. It is exactly the same concept.

2. Receive holy communion on Divine Mercy Sunday
3. Do an act of mercy extended to others through words, deeds and/or prayers. This is to celebrate the intention for which we are receiving this grace.
4. Venerate the image of the Divine Mercy  

 

Please also offer an Our Father, A Hail Mary and a Glory Be for the intentions of our Pope.

 

DIVINE MERCY IMAGE

 

 "I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of mercy. That vessel is his image with the signature, "Jesus, I trust in You."  (327)

 

"By means of this Image I shall be granting many graces to souls; so let every soul have access to it .: (570)

DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET

"Say unceasingly this chaplet that I have taught you. Anyone who says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most   hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will receive grace from My Infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to know My Infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in My Mercy...."

"Encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given you (1541)…Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death (687) ....When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person not as the just judge but as the Merciful Savior (1541) ".

"Through the Chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will (1731)."

 

3 O CLOCK PRAYER

"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. This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. I will allow you to enter into My mortal sorrow. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My passion…." (1320)

"In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking; it was the hour of grace for the whole world- mercy triumphed over justice"  (1572)

How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet To pray the Chaplet, use rosary beads and begin with these prayers: (1)     Our Father...  Hail Mary...   I believe in God... On the large bead (Our Father beads) of each decade, pray:   (2)"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, pray: (3) "For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."   Repeat (2) and (3) for the 5 decades.   After five decades to conclude, pray three times: (4)"Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world."   "Jesus, I trust in You."

3 O'CLOCK PRAYER "YOU DIED, JESUS, BUT THE SOURCE OF LIFE FLOWED OUT FOR SOULS AND THE OCEAN OF MERCY OPENED UP FOR THE WHOLE WORLD.   O FOUNTAIN OF LIFE, IMMEASURABLE DIVINE MERCY, COVER THE WHOLE WORLD AND EMPTY YOURSELF OUT UPON US!" (IV. 59) "O BLOOD AND WATER, WHICH FLOWED OUT FROM THE HEART OF JESUS AS A FOUNTAIN OF MERCY FOR US, I TRUST IN YOU." (I,35)

DIVINE MERCY NOVENA (Beginning Good Friday, ending Saturday before Divine Mercy Sunday)

This novena is a great offering to Jesus because this novena asks nothing for ourselves and instead intercedes and asks for many others.  However, many attest that even before the novena is over, many graces and answered prayers are received by the one who says the novena. 

Jesus further asked that this Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena of Chaplets to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday and ends saturday eve of Divine Mercy Sunday.  Say one chaplet each day following the novena intention. Include in your daily intention a list of people you've noted down for which you offer the novena to.   In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her:

"On each day of the novena you will bring to My Heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls. By this novena I will grant every possible grace to souls." (Diary 1209, 796)

Jesus said to St. Faustina “I desire that during these 9 days you bring souls to the fount of My mercy that they may draw therefrom  strength and refreshment and whatever graces they need in the hardships of life and especially at the hour of death.”

  

First Day: “Today bring to Me  ALL MANKIND, ESPECIALLY ALL SINNERS  immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.  In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges me.”

 

Prayer: Most Merciful Jesus whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins, but upon the trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most compassionate Heart and never let us escape from it.  We beg  this of You by your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit. 

 

Oh Omnipotence of Divine Mercy, Salvation of sinful people, You are a sea of mercy and compassion; You aid those who entreat you with humility.

 

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate  .Heart of Jesus.  For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy forever and ever. Amen.

 

Second Day: ”Today bring to Me the SOULS OF PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS  and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave me strength to endure My bitter Passion through them, as through channels, My mercy flows out upon mankind.”

 

Prayer:  Most Merciful Jesus from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men,and women consecrated to Your service that they may perform worthy works of mercy and that all who see them may glorify the Father of mercy who is in heaven.  

 

The fountain of God’s love dwells in pure hearts, bathed in the sea of mercy, radiant as stars, bright as the dawn.  

 

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard, upon the souls of priests and religious and endow them with the strength of Your blessing.  For the love of the Heart of your Son, in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.

 

Third Day:  Today bring to Me ALL DEVOUT AND FAITHFUL SOULS   and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.  These souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross.  They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness.”

 

Prayer:   Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in  great abundance to each and all.  Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from it.  We beg this of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.   The miracles of mercy are impenetrable. 

 

Neither the sinner nor just one will fathom them.  When you cast upon us an eye of pity, You draw us all closer to your love.  

 

Eternal Father, turn Your Merciful gaze upon faithful souls as upon the inheritance of Your Son.  For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection.  Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but  rather, with all the hosts of Angels and  Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.

 

Fourth Day:  “Today bring to me THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD AND THOSE WHO DO NOT YET KNOW ME.  I was  thinking also of them  during My Bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart.  Immerse them in the ocean of My Mercy.”

 

Prayer:  Most compassionate Jesus. You are the Light of the whole world.  Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they too, together with us may extol Your wonderful mercy and  do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most compassionate Heart.

 

May the light of Your love enlighten the souls in darkness; Grant these souls will know you and together with us praise Your mercy.  

 

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You and of those who as yet do not know You but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You.  Grant that they too may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

 

Fifth Day:  “Today bring to Me the SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE SEPARATED THEMSELVES FROM MY CHURCH  and immerse them in the ocean of My Mercy.  During My bitter Passion they tore at My body x and Heart, that is My Church.  As they return to unity with the Church, My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion.”

 

Prayer:  Most Merciful Jesus, goodness itself, you do not refuse light to those who seek it of You.  Receive into the abode of Your  Most  Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from your Church.  Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart but bring it about that they too come to adore the generosity of Your mercy.

 

Even for those who have torn the garment of Your unity, a fount of mercy flows from Your heart.  The omnipotence of Your mercy Oh God, can lead these souls also out of error.

 

Eternal Father, turn Your  merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from your Son’s Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces obstinately persisting in their errors.  Do not look upon their errors but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they too are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus.  Bring it about that they also may glorify your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.

 

Sixth Day:   “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.”

 

Prayer:  Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said,”Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart.”  Receive into the abode of Your Most compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father’s favorites. They are a sweet smelling bouquet before the throne of God.  God himself takes delight in their fragrance.  These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart o Jesus and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.

 

A truly gentle and humble soul already here on earth, the air of paradise breathes, and in the fragrance of  her humble heart, the creator Himself delights.

  

   Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek and humble souls and upon the souls of little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus.  These souls bear the closest resemblance to your Son.  Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your  very throne.  Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight you take in them.  Bless the whole  world  that  all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

 

Seventh Day:  “Today bring to Me THE SOULS WHO ESPECIALLY VENERATE AND GLORIFY MY MERCY   and immerse them in My mercy.  These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My Spirit. They are living images of My compassionate Heart.  These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life.  Not one of them will go into the fire of hell.  I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.”

 

Prayer: Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love itself, receive into the abode of Your Most compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself.  In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your Mercy. These souls are united to You O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders.  These souls will not be judged severely but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.

 

A soul who praises the goodness of  her Lord is especially loved by Him.  She is always to the living fountain and draws graces from mercy Divine.

 

Eternal Father turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute that of Your fathomless mercy and who are enclosed in the Most compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living gospel.  Their hands are full of deeds of mercy and their spirit overflowing with joy, sings a canticle of mercy to you.  O Most High! I beg You O God. Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You.  Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them “ I Myself will defend as my own glory, during their lifetime, and  especially at the hour of their death”, those souls who will venerate My fathomless mercy.

 

Eight Day:  “Today bring to Me THE SOULS WHO ARE IN PRISON  OF PURGATORY  and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy.  Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames.  All these souls are greatly loved by Me.  They are making retribution to My justice.  It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of my Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the Spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.”

 

Prayer:  Most merciful Jesus, you Yourself have said that You desire mercy so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to you and yet who must make retribution to Your justice.  May the streams of blood and water which gushed forth from your heart put out the flames of the purifying fire that in that place, too, the power of Your mercy may be praised.  

 

From the terrible heat of the cleansing fire rises a plaint to Your mercy and they receive comfort, refreshment, relief in the stream of mingled blood and water. 

Eternal Father, turn Your most merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus.  I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most Sacred Soul was flooded, manifest your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny.  Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.

 

Ninth Day: “Today bring to me THE SOULS WHO HAVE BECOME LUKEWARM  and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy.  These souls wound My heart most painfully.   My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I  cried  out “Father take this cup away from me, if it be Your will.  For them the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy.”

 

Prayer:  Most Compassionate Jesus,  You are Compassion itself.  I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart.  In this fire of Your pure love let these tepid souls, who like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame.  O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love and bestow upon them the gift of Holy love for nothing is beyond Your power. 

 

Fire and ice cannot be joined. Either the fire dies or the ice melts but by Your mercy oh God, You can make up for all that is lacking.

 

Eternal Father turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of  Jesus, Father of Mercy. I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three hour agony on the Cross, let them too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen

 

PRAYER FOR THE GRACE TO BE MERCIFUL TOWARDS OTHERS

"O MOST HOLY TRINITY! AS MANY TIMES AS I BREATHE, AS MANY TIMES AS MY HEART BEATS, AS MANY TIMES AS MY BLOOD THROBS THROUGH MY BODY, SO MANY THOUSAND OF TIMES DO I WANT TO GLORIFY YOUR MERCY! I WANT TO BE COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED INTO YOUR MERCY AND TO BE YOUR LIVING REFLECTION, O LORD! MAY THE GREATEST OF ALL DIVINE ATTRIBUTES, THAT OF YOUR UNFATHOMABLE MERCY, PASS THROUGH MY HEART AND SOUL TO MY NEIGHBOUR!

HELP ME, O LORD, THAT MY EYES MAY BE MERCIFUL, SO THAT I MAY NEVER SUSPECT OR JUDGE FROM APPEARANCES, BUT LOOK FOR WHAT IS BEAUTIFUL IN MY NEIGHBOURS' SOULS AND COME TO THEIR RESCUE.

HELP ME, O LORD, THAT MY EARS MAY BE MERCIFUL, SO THAT SO THAT I MAY GIVE HEED TO MY NEIGHBOURS' NEEDS AND NOT BE INDIFFENT TO THEIR PAINS AND MOANINGS.

HELP ME, O LORD, THAT MY TONGUE MAY BE MERCIFUL, SO THAT I SHOULD NEVER SPEAK NEGATIVELY OF MY NEIGHBOUR, BUT HAVE A WORD OF COMFORT AND FORGIVENESS FOR ALL.

HELP ME, O LORD, THAT MY HANDS MAY BE MERCIFUL AND FILLED WITH GOOD DEEDS, SO THAT I MAY DO ONLY GOOD TO MY NEIGHBOURS AND TAKE UPON MYSELF THE MORE DIFFICULT AND TOILSOME TASKS.

HELP ME, THAT MY FEET MAY BE MERCIFUL, SO THAT I MAY HURRY TO ASSIST MY NEIGHBOUR, OVERCOMING MY OWN FATIGUE AND WEARINESS. MY TRUE REST IS IN THE SERVICE OF MY NEIGHBOUR.

HELP ME, O LORD, THAT MY HEART MAY BE MERCIFUL SO THAT I MYSELF MAY FEEL ALL THE SUFFERINGS OF MY NEIGHBOUR. I WILL REFUSE MY HEART TO NO ONE. I WILL BE SINCERE EVEN WITH THOSE WHO, I KNOW, WILL ABUSE MY KINDNESS. AND I WILL LOCK MYSELF UP IN THE MOST MERCIFUL HEART OF JESUS. I WILL BEAR MY OWN SUFFERING IN SILENCE. MAY YOUR MERCY, O LORD, REST UPON ME.

YOU YOURSELF COMMAND ME TO EXERCISE THE THREE DEGREES OF MERCY. THE FIRST: THE ACT OF MERCY , OF WHATEVER KIND. THE SECOND: THE WORD OF MERCY - IF I CANNOT CARRY OUT A WORK OF MERCY, I WILL ASSIST BY MY WORDS. THE THIRD: PRAYER - IF I CANNOT SHOW MERCY BY DEEDS OR WORDS, I CAN ALWAYS DO SO BY PRAYER. MY PRAYER REACHES OUT EVEN THERE WHERE I CANNOT REACH OUT PHYSICALLY. O MY JESUS, TRANSFORM ME INTO YOURSELF, FOR YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS!" (I, 78)

[THIS PRAYER GIVES US A TRUE MEASURE OF OUR MERCY, A MIRROR IN WHICH WE CAN OBSERVE OURSELVES AS OTHER MERCIFUL CHRISTS. WE CAN WELL MAKE IT OUR MORNING INVOCATION AS WELL AS OUR EVENING EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE.]