Introdution to the Divine Mercy Novena

Novena taken from: www.ewtn.com.

Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday.  He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said:

"These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."

In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her:

"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy ... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls."

The different souls prayed for on each day of the novena are:

First Day (Good Friday) All Mankind, especially sinners

Second Day (Holy Saturday) The souls of priests and religious

Third Day (Easter Sunday) All devout and faithful souls

Fourth Day (Easter Monday) Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him.

Fifth Day (Easter Tuesday) The souls of separated brethren. 

Sixth Day (Easter Wednesday) The meek and humble souls and the souls of children.

Seventh Day (Easter Thursday) The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy.

Eighth Day (Easter Friday) The souls who are detained in purgatory.

Ninth Day (Easter Saturday) The souls who have become lukewarm.