The Chaplet of Divine Mercy given by Our Lord Jesus to Saint Faustina can be said at anytime and for any reason. Jesus, however, says that it is especially powerful when said at 3:00pm, the hour of his expiration on the cross. Additionally, he says it is also extremely powerful when said at the bedside of a dying person.
Jesus specifically tells St. Faustina that when we say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, he will “stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the merciful Savior” (#1541 from Divine Mercy In My Soul: Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska). To emphasize this, Our Lord took St. Faustina, on one occasion, to the bedside of a man “dying amidst great torments”. Faustina said that all around this man’s bed were “a multitude of demons”. As she began to say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in this man’s presence, “the spirits of darkness fled.” The dying man became “calm and, filled with trust, rested in the Lord” (#1798).
On another occasion, Our Lord tells Faustina:
At the hour of their death, I defend as My own glory every soul that will say this chaplet; or when others say it for a dying person…When this chaplet is said by the bedside of a dying person, God’s anger is placated, and unfathomable mercy envelops the soul, and the very depths of My tender mercy will be moved…” (#811).
Personal Mercy Experience
I experienced the great power of the Divine Mercy Chaplet after saying it for my dying grandfather. My brother and I visited our grandfather in intensive care where he was suffering during the final hours of his life. Upon entering his hospital room, my brother and I witnessed him laboring to breathe. He also appeared to be fighting something. He appeared to be in fear of death or desiring to tell us something. We could only stay in his room a few minutes at a time. After our allotted time, we left my grandfather’s room and went to the hospital’s chapel to pray for his soul.
As my brother and I were alone, we were able to say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy out loud together. We finished praying the Chaplet and went directly back to my grandfather’s room. There was a marked change in my grandfather—he was lying there peacefully! No longer was he struggling to breathe or seemingly anxious about anything as before. I kissed him on the forehead, and we said our goodbyes to him. Within the next half hour, while we were still in the hospital, we got word that he had peacefully passed. We know the Chaplet was a divine gift and merciful instrument greatly aiding his soul during his suffering before death.
To learn how to say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy please visit the Marians of the Immaculate Conception’s website:
https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/pray-the-chaplet
