The Divine Mercy Novena begins on Good Friday
A message from Bishop Samuel Aquila
 
 My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
 
  The immense mercy of our God is seen throughout Lent and, most
especially, on Good Friday when we recall the crucifixion of Jesus, who died
for the sins of all. In these final days of preparation for Easter, we reflect upon
our sins, seek God’s forgiveness and look forward with thanksgiving to His
promise of eternal life.  We recognize that we are made for God and true
happiness is found in our intimacy with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
 God desires for each of us to live with Him eternally. Thus, He offered
us Jesus and, through Jesus, His Divine Mercy is made present.  Mercy is the
goodness, compassion, faithfulness and love of God revealed in Sacred
Scripture.  Despite man’s constant sin and unfaithfulness, God remains faithful
and loving toward His creatures.  We see this mercy most especially revealed
in the parable of the prodigal son.  The love of the Father waits for each one of
us to return to His complete cleansing and healing forgiveness.
 Under the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, Divine Mercy Sunday was
established as the first Sunday after Easter Sunday.  The feast is most
appropriate as it flows from God’s most merciful action toward humanity, the
death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.
 As your bishop, I encourage you to join with others throughout the
Diocese of Fargo and universal Church in praying the Divine Mercy Novena
beginning on Good Friday. As members of the Body of Christ, participation by
each one of us is important for the strengthening and healing of the entire
Church.  Turning with confidence in God’s mercy, I ask that each of us pray
specifically for the following intentions:
 - For holy vocations to the priesthood for the Diocese of Fargo—that
men will hear God’s call and make themselves a total self gift to the Father,
imitating Jesus Christ in serving His people.
 - For reparation for the sins of the clergy—that clergy realize the
depth of the pain sin causes and seek forgiveness from those they offend,
from the Church, and from God.
 - For victims of sexual abuse—that they may turn with confidence to
the mercy of God to be comforted, healed and strengthened.
 As your bishop, I pray that each of us in the Church of Fargo may
know and experience the fullness of the mercy of God within our daily lives. 
May the Lord in His mercy make us holy so that we may share in His
Resurrection!
 May you have a blessed and holy Triduum!
 
 Sincerely yours in Christ,
 Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila, Bishop of Fargo
This Divine Mercy statue is at Sts. Anne &
Joachim Catholic Church, Fargo.
 
What is the Divine Mercy
Novena?
 
A novena is nine days’ private or
public devotion in the Catholic
Church to obtain special graces.
Often novenas are prayed to
obtain a special intention from
the Blessed Mother or the
Saints. Novenas are also prayed
in anticipation of a Feast, which
was the instruction given to St.
Faustina. Jesus appeared to the
Polish nun and asked that she
spread the Devotion of Divine
Mercy. Unlike other novenas,
where people ask for something
for themselves from God through
the intercession of His Holy
Saints, the Divine Mercy Novena
is intended to be prayed for
graces and/or salvation to be
given to other people. 
 
How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
 
A chaplet, similar to the rosary and actually prayed using rosary beads, is to
be said each day, along with the specific intention.
 
For the chaplet, do the following: 1) Begin with the Sign of the Cross, pray
an Our Father, a Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed. 2) Then on the Our
Father beads, say the following: 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. 3) On the 10 Hail
Mary beads, say the following: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have
mercy on us and on the whole world. (Repeat steps 2 and 3 for all five
decades.) 4) Conclude with (three times): Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy
Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
 
The Divine Mercy Novena
 
First Day
"Today bring to Me All Mankind, 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."
 
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."
    
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."
 
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."
 
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 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." 
 
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 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." 
 
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."
 
Eighth Day
"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 know the
torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My
justice." 
 
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."  
            
        www.divinemercysunday.com