“What if I don’t have time to pray both The Rosary and The Divine Mercy Chaplet?”
Deciding how to spend your time in prayer can be difficult, especially when you’re deciding between two powerhouse prayers like The Rosary and The Chaplet. Let’s look at each of them.
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy was gifted to Saint Faustina during a vision of Jesus. In this vision, he listed 14 promises (https://www.divinemercy.org/elements-of-divine-mercy/chaplet-of-divine-mercy/78-the-promises-of-jesus-to-those-who-pray-the-chaplet.html) to those who pray the chaplet. In the chaplet, the prayers revolve around the concepts of mercy and holiness for the whole world, and reflect the prayers and promises we make during the Mass. It’s an extremely powerful prayer for not only our own souls, but the sanctification of the world.
On the other hand, we have The Rosary, which is an act of love toward the Mother of Jesus, who was given to us at the crucifixion. This prayer has been recommended countless times by almost every saint who’s ever lived—and by Mary herself in several apparitions! The Rosary is a reflection on not only Mary’s life, but the life and miracles of Jesus as well. It allows us to enter into those moments with Jesus, the apostles, and Mary by way of meditation.
So, should we spend time in prayer on The Chaplet—which probably takes about 5-10 minutes—or on The Rosary, which will take maybe 20-30 minutes?
Why not both?
If you don’t feel like you have enough time for prayer, that’s worth looking into. The reality is, you don’t have to pray The Rosary every day, and you don’t have to pray The Chaplet every day. But why not pray both as much as you can? These prayers are gifts God has given every willing Christian, and they are pathways to Heaven. So why not?
Meet Fr. Mike Schmitz
Fr. Mike Schmitz serves as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth and as chaplain for the Newman Catholic Campus Ministry at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
He is a presenter in Ascension’s Chosen, Altaration, and The 99 programs, and has a channel on Ascension Presents. He is also the host of the Ascension podcasts The Bible in a Year and The Catechism in a Year.
I nursed my wife for almost 5 yrs through a horrible sickness. She died last year after getting last rites and Communion.
My wife’s death left me a bit depressed. After a brief rest from all things both natural and spiritual, I decided that I needed to develop my spiritual life. I started going to daily Mass. After a while, I added the Rosary.
At this point, I am stretched too thin. I feel like adding the chaplet of mercy would make me burn out.
Also, I am suffering great physical pain — my spine is collapsing within itself. As a precaution, I had the last rites. But I seem to be strong enough to live even though I wish God would take my life. I offer all of my pain and prayers (Mass, Rosary) for the poor souls in purgatory.
COMMENTS please
Thank you, Thank You, Thank You, Father Mike! I enjoy praying both as often as I can. I am blessed to be a Sir Knight and I am grateful to God for allowing me to encounter with you. God Bless you for all that you do.
Rene Barrera
Humble, TX
My daughter and I sing The Divine Mercy Novena together every day at 3pm. We do it perpetually!
Since we started this so many amazing things have had happened in our life.
She was horribly abused in every way by her own mother who was a malignant narcissist. As we as bi-polar. When I found out about this.
I left Hollywood after 5 years to give her a safe nurturing environment to heal in.
We now live in W.V
Thank you Father Mike! God Bless you indeed! How do I get a booklet of the Divine Mercy Chaplet? And I want one with pictures of the rosary beads so I can follow the prayers.
I love to pray the divine mercy prayer everyday with my family. It makes us feel stronger in our belief as Catholics, I thank God for everything.
Thank you Fr Mike. God bless you.