Nine Days of Mercy
Feast: Divine Mercy Sunday (next: 4 Apr 2027)
When to pray: Begin on Good Friday and finish on the Saturday after Easter, the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday. A novena is prayed on nine consecutive days.
Prayer for each day
Jesus, mercy itself, I trust in you. Forgive me, heal me and make me merciful to others. Amen.
Day by day
Day 1: All humanity
Who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Tim 2:4, Douay-Rheims
Merciful Jesus, God wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Today I pray for the whole human race, for every person you have created and redeemed. Pour out your mercy on the world, forgive our sins, and draw every soul to your Sacred Heart. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.
Day 2: Priests and religious
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest.
Matt 9:38, Douay-Rheims
Merciful Jesus, you told us to pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest. Today I pray for priests, deacons and religious. Keep them holy, faithful and joyful in your service, strengthen those who are weary or tempted, and call many more to follow you. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.
Day 3: Faithful souls
As the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love.
John 15:9, Douay-Rheims
Merciful Jesus, as the Father has loved you, so you have loved us, and you ask us to abide in your love. Today I pray for all faithful Christians who try to serve you each day. Keep them steadfast, comfort them in trials, and bring them safely home to you. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.
Day 4: Those who do not know Christ
And other sheep I have that are not of this fold: them also I must bring. And they shall hear my voice: And there shall be one fold and one shepherd.
John 10:16, Douay-Rheims
Merciful Jesus, you have other sheep that are not of this fold, and you desire that they hear your voice. Today I pray for all who do not yet know you. Let your light reach them, prepare their hearts to receive the Gospel, and make me a faithful witness to your love. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.
Day 5: Separated brethren
That they all may be one, as thou, Father, in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
John 17:21, Douay-Rheims
Merciful Jesus, on the night before you died you prayed that all your disciples might be one. Today I pray for Christians separated from the full communion of the Catholic Church. Heal our divisions, forgive our faults against unity, and lead us all into the one fold under the one Shepherd. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.
Day 6: The meek and humble
Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: And you shall find rest to your souls.
Matt 11:29, Douay-Rheims
Merciful Jesus, you are meek and humble of heart, and in you we find rest for our souls. Today I pray for the meek and humble, and for little children. Protect their innocence and simplicity, and make my own heart gentle and lowly like yours. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.
Day 7: Those devoted to mercy
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Matt 5:7, Douay-Rheims
Merciful Jesus, you said, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Today I pray for all who honour your mercy and show it to others. Make me merciful in thought, word and deed: quick to forgive, slow to judge and generous to those in need. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.
Day 8: Souls in purgatory
It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.
2 Mach 12:46 [2 Macc 12:46], Douay-Rheims
Merciful Jesus, it is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins. Today I pray for the holy souls in purgatory, especially my own relatives and friends and those who have no one to pray for them. Grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.
Day 9: The lukewarm
Behold, I stand at the gate and knock. If any man shall hear my voice and open to me the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him: and he with me.
Apoc 3:20 [Rev 3:20], Douay-Rheims
Merciful Jesus, you stand at the door and knock. Today I pray for those who have grown lukewarm and careless in faith, and for my own coldness of heart. Wake us from indifference, rekindle our first love, and let us open the door to you without delay. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.
Scripture
Douay-Rheims numbering (modern in brackets): 1 Tim 2:4; 2 Mach 12:46 [2 Macc 12:46]; Apoc 3:20 [Rev 3:20]; John 10:16; John 15:9; John 17:21; Matt 11:29; Matt 5:7; Matt 9:38. Scripture index
Source
Written for The Crusade, 2026. How we check sources