In the 1930s, Jesus revealed Himself to St. Faustina and gave her the central message of Divine Mercy. His healing is for everyone, and He wants people to ask for it freely. The Sunday after Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday. About 10 years ago, Darlene Davis was praying on Divine Mercy Sunday and asked how she could help two close relatives — one addicted to alcohol and another to drugs.
Darlene had been exploring several options for ministries that would support those with addictions. The message she heard on Divine Mercy Sunday was simple — pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet daily for those with addictions and enlist others to do the same.
“I said, ‘Okay, I am going to do that,’” Darlene says.
Since that day, Darlene has prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet daily, sometimes multiple times. It’s a quick way for her to make an impact. When others ask what they can do to get involved, it’s simple — pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet each day for those struggling with addiction.
“I know of people I’ve prayed for who have gone into recovery,” Darlene says.
Darlene remembers hearing about the horrific abduction in Cleveland when Ariel Castro abducted three women and held them captive for more than a decade. She figured that he had some kind of addiction, so she started to pray for him. When he passed away, she felt comfort knowing she had been praying for him, as probably not many people had.
“Whenever I hear about anyone, whether I know them or not, who has an addiction, I start to pray for them,” Darlene says. “I usually say one name per bead.”
Many types of addictions go beyond alcohol or drug use, and many people have hidden addictions. Darlene may never know the impact she’s had.
“It’s not for me — it’s for them,” she says. “It’s what God wants to do. This is what I can do.”
Darlene cautions that you may not always see a change in a person you are praying for, but you don’t know what’s happening in their heart. It takes an act of faith, and Darlene keeps up with it. She also prays for priests, knowing they can face addiction challenges.
“The Chaplet can handle as much as I put into it,” Darlene says. “There are no limits.”
The Divine Mercy for Addicts is a simple but powerful prayer and is a great way to be involved through prayer.
“Pray it daily — pray, pray, pray,” Darlene says. “Everyone in every parish knows someone they can pray for.”
Visit www.thedivinemercy.org or contact Darlene Davis at 317-498-2242 or ljdarlene@gmail.com to learn more.
