The
Hour of Great Mercy
(Three o'clock in the afternoon)
It is
Jesus' desire that the moment of His Death on the Cross (3pm)
be venerated every day.
"At
three o'clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and,
if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion,
particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This
is the hour of great mercy for the whole world . . . In this
hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request
of Me in virtue of My Passion. . . ."
(Diary 1320) "You can obtain
everything for yourself and for others for the asking; it
was the hour of grace for the whole world - mercy triumphed
over justice." (Diary 1572)
Jesus
instructed Saint Faustina, "Try
your best to make the Stations of the Cross in this hour,
provided that your duties permit it; and if you are not able
. . . then at least step into the chapel for a moment and
adore, in the Blessed Sacrament, My Heart, which is full of
mercy; should you be unable to step into the chapel, immerse
yourself in prayer there where you happen to be, if only for
a very brief instant." (Diary 1572)
Jesus
laid down three conditions necessary for the prayers which
shall be offered up at the hour of mercy in order for them
to be heard and answered; the prayer is to be directed to
Him, it is to take place at 3pm, and it is to appeal to the
merits of His Passion. Furthermore, it is to be a prayer full
of trust and accompanied by works of mercy toward one's neighbour.
Appropriate
prayers for the Hour of Mercy, frequently recited by Saint
Faustina, would be:
* 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. (Diary 1319)
* O Blood and Water, which gushed forth
from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust
in You. (Diary 84)
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