At this time, many people around the world have and are still falling ill and dying, but worse than this, is the way in which many are dying in isolation and complete abandonment. Thousands are dying alone everyday, without the opportunity to be assisted by a priest or surrounded by family, A quote from Skynews sums this up:
“Their families haven’t been able to pay their last respects or say goodbye. They can’t because they are in lockdown quarantine. It’s a recurring theme now, everyone dies alone. Time and again doctors and nurses hold back tears as they describe the anguish they feel for their patients who are dreadfully scared and lonely in their last hours.”
Fr Phillip Kemmy, a priest in Ireland, decided to launch the No one dies alsone project in response to this terrible reality. The project consists of praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for those dying alone beacuse of COVID-19. He says that this would make us be present in spirit, at their bedside at the moment of their death. This idea is taken from the life and messages received by St Faustina Kowalska. Jesus told St Faustina:
When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge, but as the merciful Saviour.
The souls that will say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death.
To pray the Chaplet using ordinary Rosary beads, begin the Chaplet with
The Our Father, The Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed on the first three small beads.
On the ‘Our Father’ beads before each decade:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood,
Should and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins
and those of the whole world.
On the ten ‘Hail Mary’ beads of each decade:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.
In conclusion, recite these words, three times:
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,
Following the lead of Fr Phillip, a Sydney roster has been made up for every hour of the day where the Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed by families and individuals to intercede for the dying. If you would like to be included on the roster, please email your name and time to be part of this wonderful initiative, to [email protected] If you are unable to commit to a specific time, you are asked to at least attempt to say the Chaplet at some time throughout the day.
