Divine Mercy Novena

Novena: April 2 - 10
Divine Mercy Sunday falls on April 11

This is a very special time for us here at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy as we prepare for our annual celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday.

In the Diary of St. Faustina, Jesus asked that the Feast of Divine Mercy, known today as Divine Mercy Sunday, be preceded by a Novena to The Divine Mercy. A Novena is nine days of prayer in preparation for a feast. In the case of the Novena to The Divine Mercy, we pray the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy each day for a specific intention.

Our Lord told St. Faustina, "I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the fountain of My mercy, that they may draw ... strength and refreshment and whatever grace they need in the hardships of life, and especially at the hour of death" (Diary, 1209).

Please join us at the National Shrine as we follow our Lord's wish to bring to Him various intentions during our nine days of prayer. If you would like to enroll someone in the Novena, we will gladly send out an enrollment card to the person whom you have enrolled.

Pray along with us

Easter Octave

Novena: April 4 - 11

As we journey through this holy season of Lent — a time of prayer, repentance, fasting, and works of mercy — we retreat into a desert of our own making to find the real God amid the clutter and din of our life.

By observing these 40 days — from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday — we take part in a practice that is rooted deep within our Catholic tradition. We are called to prepare for the Easter Triduum and the realization of God's great love for each of us — a transforming, personal love that was demonstrated by Christ's death on the cross.

Although innocent and free from sin, He was condemned to death and suffered the Passion for us. He sacrificed His human body on a cross and died for each of us.

As we prepare for the resurrection of Christ — a central mystery of our Catholic faith — I invite you to share His gifts of love and mercy with those closest to you by enrolling them in our Easter Octave March 23-29 at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy.

If you like, a special card will be sent to your loved ones informing them that they have been enrolled in the Octave. In addition, a seven-day votive candle is also available. And, as always, our Congregation — the Marians of the Immaculate Conception — will remember your special intentions.