# Easter Sunday: He Is Risen – A Novena of Divine Mercy
*2023-04-11*

> Bill Young and John O'Rourke celebrate Easter Sunday with the first three days of the Divine Mercy Novena, reciting prayers, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

## Opening and Easter Greeting

Bill welcomes listeners to the Easter Sunday episode of Prayer and Lunch. He and John exchange a brief greeting, noting the busy days of Holy Week and the upcoming novena prayers.

## Day 1 of the Divine Mercy Novena

Bill reads the first day’s prayer, taken from the diary of St. Faustina. He invokes Jesus to “bring all mankind, especially sinners, into the ocean of my mercy.” The prayer asks the Father to pour out His merciful grace on all humanity, especially the poor sinners, and to welcome them into the compassionate heart of Christ.

## Day 2 of the Novena – Priests and Religious

The second day’s prayer focuses on priests and religious. Bill asks Jesus to “bring the souls of priests and religious into the fountain of divine mercy,” that they may receive strength to endure their ministry and become channels of mercy to the world.

## Day 3 of the Novena – The Faithful

For the third day, Bill prays for “all the faithful and devoted souls,” asking that they be immersed in the sea of Christ’s mercy. The prayer petitions the Eternal Father to protect the faithful, grant them perseverance, and glorify God’s boundless mercy forever.

## The Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Bill and John recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy together, beginning with the Sign of the Cross and the opening prayers (Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Apostles’ Creed). They then pray the standard Chaplet, invoking the “eternal Father” and repeatedly asking, “Have mercy on us and on the whole world,” in the spirit of St. Faustina’s devotion.

## Closing Prayer and Easter Blessing

The hosts conclude with a final prayer asking God to increase His mercy in moments of difficulty, so that we may not despair. They offer a litany of “I trust in you, Divine Mercy” affirmations, pray for the sick, the deceased, and for all priests, deacons, and religious. Bill wishes listeners a happy Easter and thanks everyone who serves the Church.

*May we place our trust in the boundless mercy of the Risen Christ, especially in this season of Easter.*