Catholic prayer
The Divine Mercy Chaplet at three o’clock
The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed on ordinary rosary beads and takes only a few minutes. Many Catholics pray it at three o’clock in the afternoon, the hour of Christ’s death. In Pray Shield, the chaplet sits at 3 pm on the daily prayer timeline, with each prayer written out.
How to pray the chaplet
- Make the Sign of the Cross and pray the opening prayer.
- Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary and the Apostles' Creed.
- On each large bead pray Eternal Father; on each of the ten small beads pray For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion. Repeat for all five decades.
- End with Holy God three times.
The prayers
Opening prayer
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty yourself out upon us.
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of mercy for us, I trust in you. (three times)
On each large bead: Eternal Father
Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
On each of the ten small beads
For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
To close: Holy God
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (three times)
Jesus, I trust in you.
Why three o’clock?
Three in the afternoon is remembered as the hour of Jesus’ death on the Cross (Luke 23:44-46). The Church also celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday on the Sunday after Easter; Pray Shield shows it in its church calendar.
The chaplet in Pray Shield
- The prayer book lists the Divine Mercy Chaplet with its steps and all prayers, free to pray anytime.
- On the prayer timeline of the day it stands at 3 pm, between the midday Angelus and evening prayer.
- No account is needed, and nothing is ticked off or scored.
Angelus prayer times → · Rosary mysteries of the day →
Distinguish the hour from the chaplet
The Hour of Mercy at 3 pm turns attention to Christ’s Passion. The chaplet can also be prayed at another time. Neither a particular hour nor an app is a condition for asking God’s mercy.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Divine Mercy Chaplet take?
Usually a few minutes. It has five decades like the Rosary, but each bead carries a short prayer.
Do I need special beads?
No. The chaplet is prayed on ordinary rosary beads.
Why is it prayed at three o’clock?
Three in the afternoon is remembered as the hour of Jesus’ death on the Cross. Many Catholics pray the chaplet at that hour, though it can be prayed at any time.
Where do I find the chaplet in Pray Shield?
In the prayer book of traditional prayers and on the daily prayer timeline at 3 pm, with the steps and every prayer written out.
When is Divine Mercy Sunday?
On the Sunday after Easter. Pray Shield shows the feast in its church calendar.