How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet Beginner’s Guide
Learn more about the history of the Divine Mercy devotion.
1a. Begin by praying the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
1b. Opening Prayer (optional)
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 fount of mercy for us, I trust in You! (repeat three times)
2. Pray The Our Father, The Hail Mary, and The Apostles Creed.
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 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.
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. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty. He shall come again 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.
3. On the center medal pray the Eternal Father.
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.
4. On the ten Hail Mary beads, pray:
FOR THE SAKE OF HIS SORROWFUL PASSION, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
5. On the Our Father bead, pray:
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.
Continue the pattern of praying ten clear beads followed by a red bead until you come back to the center medal.
6a. On the center medal pray three times:
HOLY GOD, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
6b. Closing Prayer (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. Amen.
7. End by touching the crucifix and pray The Sign of the Cross.
Want to make it a habit?
Our sister brand, Rosary.com, offers a Divine Mercy Novena email program. Sign up and you’ll get the novena prayers emailed to you every morning for on-the-go access, a guide on how to pray the Chaplet, and a video of the Chaplet to pray along with.