Advent Prep: Praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet With St. Faustina

How a simple moment at 3 o’clock — and a saint’s gentle nudge — can reignite your devotion

Divine Mercy Chaplet: A Journey Back Into the Heart of God’s Mercy

I let the October 5 Feast Day of St. Maria Faustina pass quietly this year. I prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet, exchanged a few messages with friends who share my love for this devotion, but I didn’t go much deeper.

For years, my family and I have prayed the Divine Mercy Novena together before Divine Mercy Sunday — the Sunday after Easter. But this week I wondered: Is there a novena to St. Faustina herself?

There is. Actually, there are several. And now I feel called to begin one—asking St. Faustina’s intercession especially for the conversion of sinners. I missed the traditional lead-up dates, but God’s timing is always right… so I’m still looking for the perfect start.

Read to the end — and we can begin together.

God’s Messenger of Mercy

St. Faustina is often called the Messenger of Divine Mercy. Jesus spoke to her directly through visions and conversations that revealed the depth of His love for the world.

One of the most sobering moments in her diary is the vision of Hell, not to terrify her, but to inspire fervent prayer for sinners. Everything in her life became a plea for mercy.

In Diary of St. Faustina, Divine Mercy in My Soul, Jesus gives her a mission at the 3 o’clock hour — the hour He died on the Cross.

“At three o’clock, implore My mercy… I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion.” (Diary, 1320)

“It was the hour of grace for the whole world — mercy triumphed over justice.” (Diary, 1572)

Life-changing words. How many 3 o’clock hours have I let slip by?

A Little Accountability

Today as I’m writing — November 11 — it’s 2:35 p.m., and I asked my Guardian Angel to remind me to stop at 3:00. (He already helped me remember my jacket after pickleball this morning!)

And it worked! I paused and prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

So now my phone alarm is set for 3 p.m. every day. Just a gentle buzz reminding me to return to mercy. It helps to have friends and family joining me too.

Sometimes I even wake at 3 a.m. and begin the chaplet half-asleep. I may drift off mid-prayer, but mercy still slips into the night.

A Lesson in Obedience

One of my favorite stories about St. Faustina happened in the convent kitchen in Vilnius. She was baking bread when Jesus whispered in her heart: “Bake bread for the poor.”

It wasn’t her duty. It wasn’t allowed. But she obeyed the voice of the Lord.

She quietly made extra loaves. Later, hungry men arrived at the convent gate. Faustina welcomed them and gave them the bread.

When the superior noticed the missing loaves, Faustina simply said Jesus had asked it of her, and her superior nodded in understanding.

That is obedience. That is love in action. That is what I desire as well.

A Call for Us All

Most of us won’t receive visions like St. Faustina, but we are still called to be messengers of mercy — through prayer, kindness, and quiet acts of compassion.

I feel called to begin a Novena to St. Faustina starting Friday, Nov. 21, the Solemnity of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, finishing Saturday, Nov. 29, the day before Advent begins. It feels like a beautiful way to prepare my heart.

If you feel inspired, you can join me using the novena by clicking here.

And even if you don’t begin the novena, pause today when the clock strikes 3 p.m.—or even if it’s long past — and pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, whispering: “Jesus, I trust in You.”

St. Faustina, pray for us.