The Divine Mercy Devotion - similar to devotion to the Sacred Heart - one stressing the Mercy of Christ, and the other the Love of Christ, had its origin in the now approved revelations made to St. Faustina Kowalska (1905 - 1938).

The Devotion has the blessing of the Church and was especially promulgated by Pope John II, who declared Sister Faustina a saint, on 30th pril 2000.

It is now world wide and is promoted especially by lay Catholics. Many churches now have weekly divine Mercy Devotions and the prescribed prayers are readily available in booklets and leaflets.

The Divine Mercy Devotion includes:

1. A new pictorial Image of Christ, which was made known to St. Faustina and carrying the script: "Jesus, I trust in trust you"

2.The Feast of Divine Mercy - on the Sunday after Easter- with particular emphasis on the sacrament of reconciliation, or the days before or on the feast itself.

3. A Novena, with its own prescribed prayers, in preparation for the feast, beginning on Good Friday.

4. The Chaplet or Rosary of Mercy with its own special prayers, which can be said at any time.

5.The 3 o'clock Prayer associated with the death of Jesus on the Cross.

The context of the Devotion is the boundless mercy of Christ, which is experienced by us sinners, who in turn extend this mercy to our neighbour.