What is the Hour of Mercy?

Jesus died on the cross at three in the afternoon. In the revelations given to Saint Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938), Jesus asked that this hour be dedicated to imploring His mercy for the whole world.

What the Diary of Saint Faustina says

At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion […] This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world.

Diary, no. 1320

As often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it […] In this hour I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion.

Diary, no. 1572

What to do at three o’clock

• Pause, even for a moment, wherever you are: at home, at work or on the street.
• Remember Jesus on the cross and meditate on His Passion.
• Ask His mercy for yourself, for sinners and for the whole world.
• If you can, pray the Chaplet, the Stations of the Cross, or visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a related devotion that many pray at this hour, but the heart of the Hour is to pause, meditate on the Passion and implore mercy.

Why pray together?

Scripture shows that the prayer of a few can reach a whole city, and that in union there is strength.

Genesis 18:32

God promises Abraham to spare the whole city for the sake of ten righteous people.

Matthew 18:19–20

Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

James 5:16

The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.

Ecclesiastes 4:12

A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Galatians 6:2

Bear one another’s burdens.