The Hour of Live Mercy was first established by Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who had a series of visions of Jesus Christ in the 1930s. In these visions, Jesus revealed to Saint Faustina the depths of His mercy and instructed her to spread the message of mercy to the world.
One of the most important aspects of the Hour of Live Mercy is the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet. This prayer is composed of a series of petitions, asking for God’s mercy upon oneself and the whole world. The Chaplet is said using a set of rosary beads, and includes the repetition of the phrases “For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”
During the Hour, the faithful are also encouraged to meditate on the Passion of Christ, particularly His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and His death on the Cross. Through these reflections, the faithful come to understand the depth of Christ’s sacrifice and the great love that inspired it.
The Hour of Live Mercy is a time of great grace, during which Catholics can receive a plenary indulgence, meaning the complete remission of temporal punishment due to sin. To receive this indulgence, Catholics must participate in the Hour, either in a church or in front of an image of the Divine Mercy, have detachment from sin, receive sacramental confession and participate in Holy Communion.
The Hour of Live Mercy is celebrated at 3:00 pm, the hour at which Jesus died on the Cross. This time is considered particularly significant because it is the moment when Christ’s sacrifice was completed. It is also a powerful reminder of the great love that inspired Christ’s sacrifice, and a time of prayer for all those who suffer.
In addition to the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Hour of Live Mercy also includes the recitation of other prayers, such as the Hail Mary, the Our Father, and the Apostles’ Creed. The recitation of these prayers encourages the faithful to deepen their faith and to seek a closer relationship with God.
The Hour of Live Mercy is a powerful means of growing in faith and holiness. It is an opportunity to encounter the mercy of God and to receive His grace. Through participation in this sacred time, Catholics can deepen their faith and their understanding of God’s love.
In conclusion, the Hour of Live Mercy is a time of great grace and blessing for Catholics. It is a time of prayer and reflection, during which the faithful can encounter the mercy and love of God. Through the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the meditation on the Passion of Christ, and the recitation of other prayers, the Hour of Live Mercy offers an opportunity to grow in faith and to receive the forgiveness of sins. As Catholics, we are called to participate in this sacred time and to embrace the great mercy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.