# Praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for Loved Ones
*2016-11-16*

> Bill Young reflects on the feast of St. Pope Gregory VII, shares personal struggles, and leads a heartfelt Chaplet of Divine Mercy for his mother and nephew.

## Feast of St. Pope Gregory VII

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Today, May 23, we celebrate the feast of St. Pope Gregory VII, a 11th‑century reformer who ended the sale of ecclesiastical offices and helped unite the Church. I ask his intercession to bring all Christians together under Pope Francis.

## A Weekend at Ave Maria University

I spent Saturday at a conference at Ave Maria University in Naples, Florida. The speakers were inspiring, and the information flowed freely. When I returned home I talked with my wife, who, exhausted from work and household duties, could not attend. Our differing levels of spiritual engagement reminded me of how families move at different paces.

## Personal Testimonies of Suffering

Years ago I was a “Sunday Catholic,” attending Mass only on Sundays. Since then, God has deepened my faith. I also shared the painful stories of my mother, Eleanor, who struggled with health and financial hardship, and my nephew Matthew, who suffered from mental illness and died by suicide. Both are dear to me, and I pray for their souls.

## The Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Father Chris, a speaker at the conference, reminded us that God is outside of time; He hears our prayers as if they were offered yesterday. Following his suggestion, I prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for my mother and nephew. The chaplet includes the Our Father, ten Hail Marys for each decade, and the concluding prayers:

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Apostles’ Creed…
[The full text of the chaplet as recited]

I offered the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ for their sins and for the whole world, invoking mercy through the Passion of our Lord.

## Closing Prayer and Hope

Eternal God, whose mercy knows no bounds, look kindly upon us. Strengthen us so we do not despair, but submit with confidence to Your holy will of love and mercy. May the souls of my mother and nephew be embraced by divine mercy, see the light of Christ, and be led to heaven. Through Mary’s intercession, may they find peace. Amen.

*God’s mercy transcends time; our prayers for the departed are always heard.*