The Chaplet of Mercy is recited using ordinary rosary beads of five decades. At the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, (www.marian.org) the Chaplet is preceded by two opening prayers from the Diary of Saint Faustina and followed by a closing prayer. The Cross or Crucifix and the first few beads before the medal are not used to pray on for the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, but we recommend that you use them to pray an Act of Contrition and reflect on the Passion of Jesus before beginning the Chaplet. The Chaplet can be said anytime, but the Lord specifically asked that it be recited as a novena, especially on the nine days before the Feast of Mercy. And He promised, “By this Novena (of Chaplets) I will grant every possible grace to souls” -Diary, reference 796

(1) Opening Prayer
(Optional)

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of mercy for us, I trust in You!

Next, pray The Our Father (The Lord's Prayer),  The Hail Mary and The Apostles' Creed.

Eternal Father,
I offer You the Body and Blood,
Soul and Divinity of Your dearly
beloved Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
in atonement for our sins
and those of the whole world.

(3) On the 10 small beads pray:

For the sake of His
sorrowful Passion,
have mercy on us
and on the whole world.

Holy God,
Holy Mighty One,
Holy Immortal One,
have mercy on us
and on the whole world

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion - inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.