A Divine Mercy Meditation Novena – Introduction

Introduction

I first became familiar with the spirituality of Divine Mercy while I was a seminarian in Rome. I still remember that day in March 2009, when a copy of St. Faustina’s diary inexplicably appeared outside the door of my room. It was an English copy, something rare in my Italian seminary. I have no idea who put it there, but that book came into my life at the perfect moment. I credit the message of Divine Mercy for helping me through those last years of seminary. It has powerfully impacted my personal life and my ministry and I will forever be indebted to St. Faustina and her mysterious “apostle of Divine Mercy” for leaving me her diary.

The diary of St. Faustina is more than a retelling of the personal life and thoughts of a pious nun in Poland. It was by means of her diary that Jesus chose to reveal his message of mercy to the whole Church.

The image painted in St Faustina’s presence
(Eugeniusz Kazimirowski, Vilnius 1934)

In its pages, we find a deep spiritual theology. Jesus speaks to St. Faustina much like I imagined he spoke to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, where Jesus “expounded to them in all the scriptures, the things that were concerning him” (Luke 24:27). I will attempt in this novena to draw out some of this richness and explain the Divine Mercy image in greater detail for you.

This version of the Divine Mercy image was commissioned
in the 1970s from American artist Robert O. Skemp
by the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception.

Did you know that the idea of doing a Divine Mercy “novena” comes from Jesus himself? He actually dictated the novena prayers to St. Faustina, who dutifully wrote them down into her diary.  We are praying the prayers Jesus himself wishes for us to pray.  He said to St. Faustina: 

“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 need in the hardships of life, and especially at the hour of death.”    (Divine Mercy in My Soul #1209)

I hope you will join us tomorrow as we begin this journey toward Divine Mercy Sunday!

What did you think?

Share your review! Just log in or create your free account.

Want more?

Sign up for the weekly email and access to member-only content

Skip to content