Divine Mercy Novena: Day 1

Let's not forget that today, Good Friday, begins the annual Novena of Divine Mercy. Of course, you may make a Divine Mercy Novena anytime you choose, but the one that begins today, in advance of Divine Mercy Sunday (the Second Sunday of Easter), is truly unique:

because it is the first novena in the history of the Catholic Church which was created by Jesus. St. Faustina records in her Diary that Jesus instructed her to write down the Novena which she would begin on Good Friday, 1937. Jesus told her that on each day, she would bring a different group of souls to the Fountain of His Mercy. From the Fountain of His Mercy, these souls would be refreshed and granted graces for the hardships of their earthly life and especially for the hour of their death. Jesus promised St. Faustina that He would refuse nothing to any soul whom she brought to the Fountain of His Mercy. He told her that once these souls were refreshed at the Fountain of His Mercy, He would bring them into His Father’s House, at which time St. Faustina would beg the Father, on the strength of the bitter Passion of Jesus, for graces for these souls. St. Faustina responded that she did not know which souls she should bring to the Fountain of Mercy, but Jesus told her that He would tell her on each day (Divine Mercy apostolate)

On the first day of the novena, Jesus requested that St Faustina pray for all people, the whole of humanity, but particularly for those ensconced in sin. In her diary, St Faustina wrote the words Jesus spoke to her: "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."

Feast Day of Divine Mercy, by Stephen B. Whatley

The Divine Mercy novena prayer for the first day:

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 our 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.

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 for ever and ever. Amen

In addition to the prayer for each day of the novena (you can find all of the prayers here), pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the intention expressed in the novena prayer for that day. You might begin by making the Sign of the Cross, praying the novena prayer for that day and then praying the Chaplet.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
St Joseph, pray for us
St Mary Magdalene, pray for us
St Faustina, pray for us
Pope St John Paul II, pray for us
Venerable Matt Talbot, pray for us
Servant of God Luigi Giussani, pray for us
Servant of God Cora Evans, pray for us
All holy men and women, pray for us

Life is short - pray hard. Jesus, I trust in You.