"I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the fountain of My mercy, that they may draw therefrom strength and refreshment and whatever grace they have need of in the hardships of life, and especially at the hour of death" (Diary, 1209).
What is a Novena? Typically, it is nine days of prayer in preparation for the celebration of a feast.
When time is available, each person may pray the Novena everyday for nine consecutive days. However, the following Perpetual Novena to the Divine Mercy is composed in such a way that a community of devout Catholics can pray nine days altogether at one gathering. This should be done everyday.
Our Lord Jesus promised, “By this Novena, I will grant every grace to souls” (Diary 796).
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FIRST DAY
(Good Friday)
For all humankind, especially all sinners
Today bring to Me all humankind, especially all sinners, and 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.
Lord Jesus Christ, you are rich in mercy –
Forgive us our sins (3 times).
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SECOND DAY
(Holy Saturday)
For the souls of priests and religious
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.
Lord Jesus Christ, you are rich in mercy –
Sanctify your priests and religious (3 times).
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THIRD DAY
(Easter Sunday)
For all devout and faithful souls
Today bring to Me all devout and faithful souls, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. The souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness.
Lord Jesus Christ, you are rich in mercy –
Increase our devotion to you (3 times).
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FOURTH DAY
(Easter Monday)
For those who do not believe in God, and
those who do not yet know Jesus
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.
Lord Jesus Christ, you are rich in mercy –
Give faith to those who do not know and follow You (3 times).
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FIFTH DAY
(Easter Tuesday)
For the souls of those who have separated themselves from the Church
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 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.
Lord Jesus Christ, you are rich in mercy –
Unite all Your people and make us one (3 times).
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SIXTH DAY
(Easter Wenesday)
For the meek and humble souls and the souls of little 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 will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is capable of receiving My grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.
Lord Jesus Christ, you are rich in mercy –
Make us meek and humble like You (3 times).
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SEVENTH DAY
(Easter Thursday)
For the souls who especially venerate and glorify the Divine Mercy
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.
Lord Jesus Christ, you are rich in mercy –
Make us love You as Our Mother Mary loves You (3 times).
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EIGHTH DAY
(Easter Friday)
For the souls in purgatory
Today bring to Me the souls who are detained in 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.
Lord Jesus Christ, you are rich in mercy –
Bring all souls into heaven (3 times).
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NINTH DAY
(Easter Saturday)
For the souls who have become lukewarm
Today bring to Me 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.
Lord Jesus Christ, you are rich in mercy –
Inflame our hearts and destroy all the coldness in us (3 times).
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PRAYER TO BE MERCIFUL TO OTHERS
O Most Holy Trinity! * As many times as I breathe, * as many times as my heart beats, * as many times as my blood pulsates through my body, * so many thousand 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 neighbor. * You Yourself command me to exercise * the three degrees of mercy. * The first: * carry out the Work of Mercies. * The second: * speak Words of Mercy — * if I cannot carry out a work of mercy, * I will assist by my words. The third: * pray — * 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 (163).
