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33 Days to Divine Mercy
Do you need a fresh start?
Are you ready for a new beginning?
Our God is a God of second chances and fresh starts.
33 Days to Divine Mercy is a spiritual pilgrimage, an inspiring journey, a new beginning. It begins by exploring the significance of mercy, both culturally and personally, to discover the transformative power it holds to heal our brokenness.
Jesus is the ultimate new beginning. Divine Mercy is the ultimate second chance. Jesus invites us to leave behind the old and step into the new. This is not merely a call to change our circumstances but to transform our hearts, our minds, and our souls.
What is Jesus inviting you to leave behind? Too often, we allow the weight of our past mistakes to prevent us from living the life God is calling us to live today. It's easy to get stuck in repetitive thought cycles that focus on our past mistakes and the guilt, shame, and regret they gave birth to. Divine Mercy wants to liberate you from these obsessive thoughts about your past. You are not the worst thing you have done, and Divine Mercy is greater than every poor choice you have ever made.
New beginnings are full of hope and possibilities.
Life is a pilgrimage. It is a sacred journey toward our eternal home with God. Learn what it means to be a Pilgrim of Mercy in a world that is constantly trying to reduce you to a tourist and consumer. Journey to the heart of Divine Mercy with Mother Teresa, John Paul II, Augustine, Monica, John Vianney, Sister Faustina, Katharine Drexel, Damien of Molokai, and Vincent de Paul.
Without mercy there can be no forgiveness, without forgiveness there can be no healing, and without healing there can be no lasting peace. Divine Mercy is the spiritual air we breathe. It is the bridge between this world and the next.
33 Days to Divine Mercy will take you on an adventure of life-changing proportions. Embrace this experience and it will forever change the way you think about your past, your present, and your future.
Are you ready for a new beginning?
Our God is a God of second chances and fresh starts.
33 Days to Divine Mercy is a spiritual pilgrimage, an inspiring journey, a new beginning. It begins by exploring the significance of mercy, both culturally and personally, to discover the transformative power it holds to heal our brokenness.
Jesus is the ultimate new beginning. Divine Mercy is the ultimate second chance. Jesus invites us to leave behind the old and step into the new. This is not merely a call to change our circumstances but to transform our hearts, our minds, and our souls.
What is Jesus inviting you to leave behind? Too often, we allow the weight of our past mistakes to prevent us from living the life God is calling us to live today. It's easy to get stuck in repetitive thought cycles that focus on our past mistakes and the guilt, shame, and regret they gave birth to. Divine Mercy wants to liberate you from these obsessive thoughts about your past. You are not the worst thing you have done, and Divine Mercy is greater than every poor choice you have ever made.
New beginnings are full of hope and possibilities.
Life is a pilgrimage. It is a sacred journey toward our eternal home with God. Learn what it means to be a Pilgrim of Mercy in a world that is constantly trying to reduce you to a tourist and consumer. Journey to the heart of Divine Mercy with Mother Teresa, John Paul II, Augustine, Monica, John Vianney, Sister Faustina, Katharine Drexel, Damien of Molokai, and Vincent de Paul.
Without mercy there can be no forgiveness, without forgiveness there can be no healing, and without healing there can be no lasting peace. Divine Mercy is the spiritual air we breathe. It is the bridge between this world and the next.
33 Days to Divine Mercy will take you on an adventure of life-changing proportions. Embrace this experience and it will forever change the way you think about your past, your present, and your future.
- GenresChristian
198 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 5, 2025
55 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Kelly
193 books1,423 followersMatthew Kelly is a best-selling author, speaker, thought leader, entrepreneur, consultant, spiritual leader, and innovator.
He has dedicated his life to helping people and organizations become the-best-version-of-themselves. Born in Sydney, Australia, he began speaking and writing in his late teens while he was attending business school. Since that time, 5 million people have attended his seminars and presentations in more than 50 countries.
Today, Kelly is an internationally acclaimed speaker, author, and business consultant. His books have been published in more than 30 languages, have appeared on The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestseller lists, and have sold more than 50 million copies.
In his early-twenties he developed "the-best-version-of-yourself" concept and has been sharing it in every arena of life for more than twenty-five years. It is quoted by presidents and celebrities, athletes and their coaches, business leaders and innovators, though perhaps it is never more powerfully quoted than when a mother or father asks a child, "Will that help you become the-best-version-of-yourself?"
Kelly's personal interests include golf, music, art, literature, investing, spirituality, and spending time with his wife, Meggie, and their children Walter, Isabel, Harry, Ralph, and Simon.
He has dedicated his life to helping people and organizations become the-best-version-of-themselves. Born in Sydney, Australia, he began speaking and writing in his late teens while he was attending business school. Since that time, 5 million people have attended his seminars and presentations in more than 50 countries.
Today, Kelly is an internationally acclaimed speaker, author, and business consultant. His books have been published in more than 30 languages, have appeared on The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestseller lists, and have sold more than 50 million copies.
In his early-twenties he developed "the-best-version-of-yourself" concept and has been sharing it in every arena of life for more than twenty-five years. It is quoted by presidents and celebrities, athletes and their coaches, business leaders and innovators, though perhaps it is never more powerfully quoted than when a mother or father asks a child, "Will that help you become the-best-version-of-yourself?"
Kelly's personal interests include golf, music, art, literature, investing, spirituality, and spending time with his wife, Meggie, and their children Walter, Isabel, Harry, Ralph, and Simon.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 4, 2025
I have previously completed all of the 33 Days by Fr Gailtley - which have changed my life. I completed the 33 Days of Eucharistic Glory at the beginning of the year and wanted to do this one during Lent as part of my Lenten journey for growth. I loved the wording and reading for each day. They have helped me grow and has given me another opportunity to grow in the Lord. This is not a “one and done”, it is a daily commitment and challenge to continue. There is a bonus in the book as well as it contains readings for the Divine Mercy Novena which begins on Good Friday through Divine Mercy Sunday.
April 13, 2025
This is the best Matthew Kelly book I've read in awhile. It's a thought-provoking, inspiring 33 day consecration to Jesus including a reading, summary of the lesson, and virtue to practice each day. And given that this is a Divine Mercy consecration, the Divine Mercy prayer is printed at the end of each day's readings. The back of the book includes the consecration prayer, instructions for praying the Divine Mercy chaplet, the Divine Mercy novena, the Sacred Heart devotion, and some blank pages for notes.
April 14, 2025
I always enjoy Matthew Kelly’s books! This was a great read for the Lenten season. Whether you’re Catholic or not, I think this is a great read to remind you that every person deserves respect and discusses ways that you can live this way in your life. I think it’s worth a read!
April 12, 2025
I loved this book. 33 days of consecration. Building you up to better follow our faith and Lord. A nice focus and prayer to conclude each day. Easy to read and reflect on.
April 13, 2025
An excellent way to renew or strengthen your faith in just over a month. I definitely recommend one at a time. This gives you the time you need to reflect on each day's teaching. Very well done.
April 20, 2025
It was an insightful, practical book about how to make the Divine Mercy present in your daily life. The world is broken and in need of mercy.
I read this book as one of my things for lent and consecrated myself the day I wrote this, Easter Sunday.
I love the Divine Mercy (but the one last year will alway be my favorite cus it’s the Eucharist).
I read this book as one of my things for lent and consecrated myself the day I wrote this, Easter Sunday.
I love the Divine Mercy (but the one last year will alway be my favorite cus it’s the Eucharist).
April 13, 2025
This is an excellent volume, And watching the videos through Lent in 2025 waqs an amazing experience. This is a book all Catholics today need to read! I have read many volumes by Mathew Kelly over 37 times. I have also listened to a number of audio talks and attended 2 virtual conferences. I can state this is a wonderful volume, one the church greatly needs.
I highlighted a number of passages while reading this volume. Some of them are:
“You are about to embark on an incredible journey. This isn’t just another book. It is an invitation to participate in a sacred journey—a spiritual pilgrimage. It’s a guide that will lead you to discover God’s vast mercy… and it will change your life in the most marvelous of ways.”
“The Divine Mercy devotion has gained popularity since Saint Faustina was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000. But it is important to understand that Divine Mercy is first and foremost a defining characteristic of God that people have been encountering throughout salvation history in a variety of ways.”
“The teachings of the Catholic Church have always emphasized mercy, and the sacraments are offered as a powerful encounter with God’s mercy, particularly the Sacrament of Reconciliation.”
“The Church has also consistently taught that we have a responsibility to share God’s mercy with others. This is uniquely manifested in the seven Corporal Works of Mercy and the seven Spiritual Works of Mercy, which we will explore during our thirty-three-day pilgrimage. These Works of Mercy (both corporal and spiritual) are foundational to Catholic social teaching.”
“The Catholic Church has a rich history of celebrating and sharing God’s mercy with the people of every age. Every day the Catholic Church feeds more people, houses more people, clothes more people, educates more people, and visits more prisoners than any other group of people on planet earth. And we have been doing these things for a long time.”
“Spend one minute meditating on Jesus’ suffering on the Cross and then imagine how vast God’s mercy must be. Imagine yourself immersed in His mercy. Ask Him to bathe you in His mercy.”
“God’s mercy is greater than any mistake you can make. God’s mercy will liberate you from the worst moments in your past, and His mercy is the key to the best moments in your future.”
“Over the next few days, take fifteen minutes, pick up your Bible, find a quiet place, get comfortable, take a deep breath, and start reading the Gospel of Matthew. Every time you read the name of Jesus, replace it with mercy, and listen to what that phrase or passage says to you. I think you will find it to be a profound and powerful experience.”
“The people I encounter each day are all in need of healing. I need healing. The type of healing we need may be different—physical, emotional, intellectual, psychological, relational, spiritual—but there is one source of healing for us all: Jesus Christ, the Divine Mercy.”
“He wants to heal us. He wants to teach us how to love again. He wants to bathe us in His mercy, convince us of His mercy, fill us with His mercy, and send us out into the world as Pilgrims of Mercy.”
“I love Mondays because each Monday is a new beginning—a fresh start! God gives us Mondays, New Year’s Day, birthdays, and every single one represents a new blessing and a new beginning. New beginnings are a beautiful gift.”
“Too often, we allow the weight of our past mistakes to prevent us from living the life God is calling us to live today.”
“Jesus is waiting with open arms, ready to walk with you into a future filled with hope and promise. The question is not whether He can transform your life but whether you will let Him. Say yes to Him today and He will turn the page to a new chapter in your life.”
“The message is clear. Things fall apart when we can’t hear the voice of God in our lives. Separated from God, the center of our lives cannot hold, and chaos and confusion take over.”
“Our identity comes from God. When we turn our backs on God or cast Him aside, our lives become adrift. Our center cannot hold, and we become lost and confused.”
“Too many of us have a very poor sense of self. God wants to repair and restore our sense of self.”
“Mercy isn’t earned. This is the essential dilemma we face as modern Christians when it comes to mercy. It isn’t something you can earn. Not even with virtue. It is given. Freely. Completely.”
“It was by sitting alone in the presence of God in quiet empty churches that the Lord touched my life deeply. Out of the silence came a profound gratitude.”
“One of the great quests of the spiritual life is to align what we want with God’s vision for our life. Discovering what God wants for your life rarely happens all at once. It’s an unfolding process that takes time, ongoing effort, and above all, trust.”
“John Paul II had a special devotion to Divine Mercy throughout his life, and a special affection for Sister Faustina, who shared his Polish heritage. All this was born from his innate conviction that “There is nothing that humanity needs more than Divine Mercy.””
“Can something that has been broken be put back together in a way that makes it more beautiful than ever before? Absolutely. But the more beautiful question is this: Can someone who has been broken be healed and become more beautiful and more lovable than ever before?”
“Atop this list in the Canon of Saints is Saint Augustine. He is a staggering example of Divine Mercy at work in the human heart. “Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future,” was Oscar Wilde’s observation and Augustine is certainly proof. Wherever you are in your journey, wherever you have been and whatever you have done, the lives of saints such as Augustine remind us that God never gives up on us—even if at times we give up on ourselves or give up on Him.”
“For twenty-five years, as I traveled from one country to the next, from one city to the next, one of the most acute forms of spiritual anguish I witnessed almost every day was that of mothers and fathers whose children have stopped practicing their Catholic faith. I have encountered so many parents and grandparents who are heartbroken because their children or grandchildren have left the Church.”
“Monica prayed like so many parents do, but she also prayed for very specific intentions. She prayed for her son’s conversion to Christianity, for his release from false beliefs and heretical teachings, that his heart would be open to the beauty of the Catholic faith, for his moral transformation, that he would abandon his sinful habits and adopt a life of virtue, that God would send wise and faithful Catholics into Augustine’s life, that God would be merciful to her son, and that God would give her son divine guidance.”
“Your family needs a prayerful giant. A prayerful giant is a person who covers their family with prayer, anchoring the family in God’s grace. Decide right now to accept God’s invitation and challenge to become your family’s prayerful giant.”
“After his death, Talbot became an icon of Ireland’s temperance movement, and his story spread around the world. He is quoted as saying, “Never be too hard on the man who can’t give up drink. It’s as hard to give up the drink as it is to raise the dead to life again. But both are possible and even easy for Our Lord. We have only to depend on him.””
“Vincent de Paul, Frédéric Ozanam, Sister Rosalie Rendu, and Matt Talbot all faced tremendous discouragement at times. It would have been so easy to give up, to retreat into a comfortable life. But they didn’t. They pressed on, persevering in humble service, and the good they did lives on today.”
“Feeding the hungry isn’t just about food—it’s about nourishing hope, restoring dignity, and sharing the love that transforms lives. Mercy is love reaching out to misery. Feeding the hungry is mercy in action.”
“We have a responsibility to attend to our own spiritual thirst, to dig a well by developing a robust prayer life. By developing a daily practice of prayer and reflection. That’s how we dig the well.”
“It is no coincidence that the image of Divine Mercy shows streams of crystal-clear water flowing from the heart of Jesus. Mercy is love reaching out to misery. He wants His living waters to gush forth into the world and hydrate every soul.”
“VIRTUE OF THE DAY Spiritual Awareness: The virtue of spiritual awareness is marked by a sensitivity to the presence of God. It makes us mindful of how different people, things, and experiences unite us with God or draw us away from Him.”
“Rehumanization. Is there any more urgent task before society today? Which of our problems would not be solved by seeing each other as human beings?”
“The Holy Spirit will help us find a way once we make the commitment. Love is creative. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us find creative ways to live out the Works of Mercy, just like Saint Vitalis did.”
“I am totally convinced that the life Jesus invites us to in the Gospels is the best way to live. In fact, I am so convinced that even if you could prove to me that God does not exist, that eternity does not exist, and that we simply cease to exist after we die, I would still believe that the teachings of Jesus offer the best way to live.”
“The word admonish comes from the Latin word admonere, meaning to remind or advise. Admonishing the sinner isn’t a call to judge, reprimand, or control people. It’s an invitation to remind others that there is a “best way to live.” To admonish the sinner is to say, “You are making yourself miserable by looking for joy in the wrong place.””
“There is a reality that we don’t like to talk about. You can mis-live your life. Most people never consider it as a possibility, but it’s true. You can mis-live your life. We assume that all lives are well-lived. It isn’t true. We deceive ourselves.”
“The word admonish comes from the Latin word admonere, meaning to remind or advise. Admonishing the sinner isn’t a call to judge, reprimand, or control people. It’s an invitation to remind others that there is a “best way to live.” To admonish the sinner is to say, “You are making yourself miserable by looking for joy in the wrong place.” It is always an invitation to a better life.”
“When we forgive, we share the love of God with others and rid ourselves of dangerous poisons that can prevent us from growing spiritually. The benefits are clear, but that doesn’t make it easy.”
“I honestly don’t know how people live without prayer. I can tell the difference in myself on days when I don’t pray. I���m less patient and more anxious, I give people the benefit of the doubt less and judge more, I think about myself more and I’m less generous with others, and the list goes on and on. I know for certain that prayer makes me a better friend, husband, father, brother, son, employer, and citizen.”
“Awe: The virtue of awe is a profound respect and reverence for the source of all life. Contemplation of life, truth, beauty, goodness and the sheer power of God all nurture the virtue of awe.”
A sample day is:
“DAY 13
DAMIEN OF MOLOKAI: RADICAL COMPASSION
“Approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Imagine for a moment the life of the average twenty-four-year-old.
At the age of twenty-four, Damien of Molokai volunteered to leave his homeland of Belgium to serve as a missionary in the Kingdom of Hawaii where he was ordained a priest. Eleven years later he volunteered to go to the island of Molokai, where those with leprosy were forcibly quarantined. He knew the risks and he went anyway.
Damien worked tirelessly to improve living conditions for the patients. He helped them build homes, schools, a church, and a hospital. He provided medical care, organized the community, and restored dignity to the patients. He ministered to both their physical needs and spiritual well-being, offering the sacraments, and sharing in their suffering.
After serving the rejected and suffering people of Molokai for many years, Damien contracted leprosy himself. The year was 1884 and he was forty-four years old. Despite his declining health, he continued his work until he died five years later.
Pope Benedict XVI canonized Damien on October 11, 2009, recognizing him as a “Martyr of Charity” and a model of self-sacrificial love.
The radical compassion of Saint Damien of Molokai was so Christlike that I have trouble comprehending it. And most of the letters he wrote were burned upon arrival, out of fear that leprosy could be transmitted just by touching them. So, I tried to imagine what he would say to you as you make this consecration journey, and this is what I came up with:
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The love of Christ compels us to go where others fear to tread, to embrace those whom the world has cast aside, and to pour ourselves out in service to the most vulnerable. This is the essence of radical compassion—a love that knows no boundaries, a mercy that seeks no reward, and a commitment that endures even in the face of great personal suffering.
During my years on the island of Molokai, living among those afflicted by leprosy, I learned firsthand what it means to live out this radical compassion. It is a call to see Christ in the face of the suffering, to love with a heart that does not count the cost, and to give until nothing is left but the joy of having served.
When I first arrived at the leper colony, I was struck by the immense suffering of the people. These men, women, and children had been torn from their families and left to fend for themselves in isolation. Their bodies bore the disfigurements of disease, but it was their loneliness, rejection, and despair that cut the deepest wounds.
Yet, as I walked among them, I was reminded of Christ’s words: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) In their pain, I saw the suffering Christ. In their isolation, I saw the Christ who was abandoned on the Cross. And in their cries for help, I heard the voice of Christ calling me to love without hesitation.
To practice radical compassion is to recognize the dignity of every human being, especially those whom society has marginalized. It is to see beyond appearances, beyond fear, and beyond prejudice, and to embrace each person as a beloved child of God.
Radical compassion requires a willingness to go beyond the limits of comfort and convenience. It is not a love that remains distant or detached; it is a love that gets its hands dirty, that suffers alongside others, and that offers everything it has.
When I chose to live among the lepers of Molokai, I did so because I believed that love demands presence. I could not merely preach to them from afar; I needed to share in their lives, their struggles, and their hopes. I built churches, heard confessions, bandaged wounds, and buried the dead. Over time, I became one of them—not just in spirit but also in body, as I eventually contracted leprosy myself.
Some may see this as a tragedy, but I see it as a gift. To suffer with those I served was to share in the very heart of Christ’s mission. Jesus Himself took on our humanity, entered into our pain, and gave His life for our salvation. Radical compassion calls us to imitate this self-giving love, to be willing to lose ourselves so that others might find life.
To love radically is to live fully. It is to find meaning and purpose in the service of others and to experience the joy of being an instrument of God’s mercy.
The world today is in desperate need of radical compassion. There is so much division, prejudice, and indifference toward the suffering of others. The example of Jesus and the call of the Gospel challenge us to break down these barriers and to love boldly and unconditionally.
Radical compassion does not require extraordinary circumstances. It begins in the small acts of kindness we show to our neighbors, the sacrifices we make for our families, and the openness we extend to strangers. It is a way of life that sees every person as worthy of love and every moment as an opportunity to serve.
It’s not an easy path, but it is the way of Christ, and in living out this call, we not only transform the lives of others, we also draw closer to the heart of God ourselves.
Open your heart to the radical compassion of Christ. Go to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and He will give you the strength for whatever He calls you to. Let His love flow through you to heal this broken world. It is only by loving without limits that we find the true meaning of our lives.
Father Damien
That is what I imagine he would say to us.
Saint Damien of Molokai, pray for us!
Trust. Surrender. Believe. Receive.
LESSON
Be willing to go wherever God calls you and do whatever He asks you to do, including doing what you are doing right now, right where you are.
VIRTUE OF THE DAY
Compassion: Compassion comes from the Latin word compati, meaning to “suffer with.” The virtue of compassion isn’t merely acknowledging someone’s suffering. It’s sharing in that person’s suffering.
DIVINE MERCY PRAYER
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.”
I hope those quotes and the sample day give you a feel for this wonderful volume. I could have easily highlighted twice as many passages. Most days I read the chapter after listening to the video so much of the day was already a reminder. I pray that you pick it up and give it a read. It is guaranteed to change your life.
This is another one of those volumes that could be read over and over again and with each reading you will get something more out of it. I could easily see it becoming a Catholic Classic. The material is presented in clear style. The material is easy to engage with. The samples from saints and others across church history will inspire and challenge readers. A high school student could read it and benefit from the reading and someone who is retired could read it and make improvements for the fourth quarter of their life. And the consecration at the end of the 33 days will be moving.
This is an excellent read. Any Catholic would benefit from reading it. I challenge you to read it and see! I highly recommend this excellent offering from Mathew Kelly’s pen.
This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!.
I highlighted a number of passages while reading this volume. Some of them are:
“You are about to embark on an incredible journey. This isn’t just another book. It is an invitation to participate in a sacred journey—a spiritual pilgrimage. It’s a guide that will lead you to discover God’s vast mercy… and it will change your life in the most marvelous of ways.”
“The Divine Mercy devotion has gained popularity since Saint Faustina was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000. But it is important to understand that Divine Mercy is first and foremost a defining characteristic of God that people have been encountering throughout salvation history in a variety of ways.”
“The teachings of the Catholic Church have always emphasized mercy, and the sacraments are offered as a powerful encounter with God’s mercy, particularly the Sacrament of Reconciliation.”
“The Church has also consistently taught that we have a responsibility to share God’s mercy with others. This is uniquely manifested in the seven Corporal Works of Mercy and the seven Spiritual Works of Mercy, which we will explore during our thirty-three-day pilgrimage. These Works of Mercy (both corporal and spiritual) are foundational to Catholic social teaching.”
“The Catholic Church has a rich history of celebrating and sharing God’s mercy with the people of every age. Every day the Catholic Church feeds more people, houses more people, clothes more people, educates more people, and visits more prisoners than any other group of people on planet earth. And we have been doing these things for a long time.”
“Spend one minute meditating on Jesus’ suffering on the Cross and then imagine how vast God’s mercy must be. Imagine yourself immersed in His mercy. Ask Him to bathe you in His mercy.”
“God’s mercy is greater than any mistake you can make. God’s mercy will liberate you from the worst moments in your past, and His mercy is the key to the best moments in your future.”
“Over the next few days, take fifteen minutes, pick up your Bible, find a quiet place, get comfortable, take a deep breath, and start reading the Gospel of Matthew. Every time you read the name of Jesus, replace it with mercy, and listen to what that phrase or passage says to you. I think you will find it to be a profound and powerful experience.”
“The people I encounter each day are all in need of healing. I need healing. The type of healing we need may be different—physical, emotional, intellectual, psychological, relational, spiritual—but there is one source of healing for us all: Jesus Christ, the Divine Mercy.”
“He wants to heal us. He wants to teach us how to love again. He wants to bathe us in His mercy, convince us of His mercy, fill us with His mercy, and send us out into the world as Pilgrims of Mercy.”
“I love Mondays because each Monday is a new beginning—a fresh start! God gives us Mondays, New Year’s Day, birthdays, and every single one represents a new blessing and a new beginning. New beginnings are a beautiful gift.”
“Too often, we allow the weight of our past mistakes to prevent us from living the life God is calling us to live today.”
“Jesus is waiting with open arms, ready to walk with you into a future filled with hope and promise. The question is not whether He can transform your life but whether you will let Him. Say yes to Him today and He will turn the page to a new chapter in your life.”
“The message is clear. Things fall apart when we can’t hear the voice of God in our lives. Separated from God, the center of our lives cannot hold, and chaos and confusion take over.”
“Our identity comes from God. When we turn our backs on God or cast Him aside, our lives become adrift. Our center cannot hold, and we become lost and confused.”
“Too many of us have a very poor sense of self. God wants to repair and restore our sense of self.”
“Mercy isn’t earned. This is the essential dilemma we face as modern Christians when it comes to mercy. It isn’t something you can earn. Not even with virtue. It is given. Freely. Completely.”
“It was by sitting alone in the presence of God in quiet empty churches that the Lord touched my life deeply. Out of the silence came a profound gratitude.”
“One of the great quests of the spiritual life is to align what we want with God’s vision for our life. Discovering what God wants for your life rarely happens all at once. It’s an unfolding process that takes time, ongoing effort, and above all, trust.”
“John Paul II had a special devotion to Divine Mercy throughout his life, and a special affection for Sister Faustina, who shared his Polish heritage. All this was born from his innate conviction that “There is nothing that humanity needs more than Divine Mercy.””
“Can something that has been broken be put back together in a way that makes it more beautiful than ever before? Absolutely. But the more beautiful question is this: Can someone who has been broken be healed and become more beautiful and more lovable than ever before?”
“Atop this list in the Canon of Saints is Saint Augustine. He is a staggering example of Divine Mercy at work in the human heart. “Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future,” was Oscar Wilde’s observation and Augustine is certainly proof. Wherever you are in your journey, wherever you have been and whatever you have done, the lives of saints such as Augustine remind us that God never gives up on us—even if at times we give up on ourselves or give up on Him.”
“For twenty-five years, as I traveled from one country to the next, from one city to the next, one of the most acute forms of spiritual anguish I witnessed almost every day was that of mothers and fathers whose children have stopped practicing their Catholic faith. I have encountered so many parents and grandparents who are heartbroken because their children or grandchildren have left the Church.”
“Monica prayed like so many parents do, but she also prayed for very specific intentions. She prayed for her son’s conversion to Christianity, for his release from false beliefs and heretical teachings, that his heart would be open to the beauty of the Catholic faith, for his moral transformation, that he would abandon his sinful habits and adopt a life of virtue, that God would send wise and faithful Catholics into Augustine’s life, that God would be merciful to her son, and that God would give her son divine guidance.”
“Your family needs a prayerful giant. A prayerful giant is a person who covers their family with prayer, anchoring the family in God’s grace. Decide right now to accept God’s invitation and challenge to become your family’s prayerful giant.”
“After his death, Talbot became an icon of Ireland’s temperance movement, and his story spread around the world. He is quoted as saying, “Never be too hard on the man who can’t give up drink. It’s as hard to give up the drink as it is to raise the dead to life again. But both are possible and even easy for Our Lord. We have only to depend on him.””
“Vincent de Paul, Frédéric Ozanam, Sister Rosalie Rendu, and Matt Talbot all faced tremendous discouragement at times. It would have been so easy to give up, to retreat into a comfortable life. But they didn’t. They pressed on, persevering in humble service, and the good they did lives on today.”
“Feeding the hungry isn’t just about food—it’s about nourishing hope, restoring dignity, and sharing the love that transforms lives. Mercy is love reaching out to misery. Feeding the hungry is mercy in action.”
“We have a responsibility to attend to our own spiritual thirst, to dig a well by developing a robust prayer life. By developing a daily practice of prayer and reflection. That’s how we dig the well.”
“It is no coincidence that the image of Divine Mercy shows streams of crystal-clear water flowing from the heart of Jesus. Mercy is love reaching out to misery. He wants His living waters to gush forth into the world and hydrate every soul.”
“VIRTUE OF THE DAY Spiritual Awareness: The virtue of spiritual awareness is marked by a sensitivity to the presence of God. It makes us mindful of how different people, things, and experiences unite us with God or draw us away from Him.”
“Rehumanization. Is there any more urgent task before society today? Which of our problems would not be solved by seeing each other as human beings?”
“The Holy Spirit will help us find a way once we make the commitment. Love is creative. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us find creative ways to live out the Works of Mercy, just like Saint Vitalis did.”
“I am totally convinced that the life Jesus invites us to in the Gospels is the best way to live. In fact, I am so convinced that even if you could prove to me that God does not exist, that eternity does not exist, and that we simply cease to exist after we die, I would still believe that the teachings of Jesus offer the best way to live.”
“The word admonish comes from the Latin word admonere, meaning to remind or advise. Admonishing the sinner isn’t a call to judge, reprimand, or control people. It’s an invitation to remind others that there is a “best way to live.” To admonish the sinner is to say, “You are making yourself miserable by looking for joy in the wrong place.””
“There is a reality that we don’t like to talk about. You can mis-live your life. Most people never consider it as a possibility, but it’s true. You can mis-live your life. We assume that all lives are well-lived. It isn’t true. We deceive ourselves.”
“The word admonish comes from the Latin word admonere, meaning to remind or advise. Admonishing the sinner isn’t a call to judge, reprimand, or control people. It’s an invitation to remind others that there is a “best way to live.” To admonish the sinner is to say, “You are making yourself miserable by looking for joy in the wrong place.” It is always an invitation to a better life.”
“When we forgive, we share the love of God with others and rid ourselves of dangerous poisons that can prevent us from growing spiritually. The benefits are clear, but that doesn’t make it easy.”
“I honestly don’t know how people live without prayer. I can tell the difference in myself on days when I don’t pray. I���m less patient and more anxious, I give people the benefit of the doubt less and judge more, I think about myself more and I’m less generous with others, and the list goes on and on. I know for certain that prayer makes me a better friend, husband, father, brother, son, employer, and citizen.”
“Awe: The virtue of awe is a profound respect and reverence for the source of all life. Contemplation of life, truth, beauty, goodness and the sheer power of God all nurture the virtue of awe.”
A sample day is:
“DAY 13
DAMIEN OF MOLOKAI: RADICAL COMPASSION
“Approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Imagine for a moment the life of the average twenty-four-year-old.
At the age of twenty-four, Damien of Molokai volunteered to leave his homeland of Belgium to serve as a missionary in the Kingdom of Hawaii where he was ordained a priest. Eleven years later he volunteered to go to the island of Molokai, where those with leprosy were forcibly quarantined. He knew the risks and he went anyway.
Damien worked tirelessly to improve living conditions for the patients. He helped them build homes, schools, a church, and a hospital. He provided medical care, organized the community, and restored dignity to the patients. He ministered to both their physical needs and spiritual well-being, offering the sacraments, and sharing in their suffering.
After serving the rejected and suffering people of Molokai for many years, Damien contracted leprosy himself. The year was 1884 and he was forty-four years old. Despite his declining health, he continued his work until he died five years later.
Pope Benedict XVI canonized Damien on October 11, 2009, recognizing him as a “Martyr of Charity” and a model of self-sacrificial love.
The radical compassion of Saint Damien of Molokai was so Christlike that I have trouble comprehending it. And most of the letters he wrote were burned upon arrival, out of fear that leprosy could be transmitted just by touching them. So, I tried to imagine what he would say to you as you make this consecration journey, and this is what I came up with:
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The love of Christ compels us to go where others fear to tread, to embrace those whom the world has cast aside, and to pour ourselves out in service to the most vulnerable. This is the essence of radical compassion—a love that knows no boundaries, a mercy that seeks no reward, and a commitment that endures even in the face of great personal suffering.
During my years on the island of Molokai, living among those afflicted by leprosy, I learned firsthand what it means to live out this radical compassion. It is a call to see Christ in the face of the suffering, to love with a heart that does not count the cost, and to give until nothing is left but the joy of having served.
When I first arrived at the leper colony, I was struck by the immense suffering of the people. These men, women, and children had been torn from their families and left to fend for themselves in isolation. Their bodies bore the disfigurements of disease, but it was their loneliness, rejection, and despair that cut the deepest wounds.
Yet, as I walked among them, I was reminded of Christ’s words: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) In their pain, I saw the suffering Christ. In their isolation, I saw the Christ who was abandoned on the Cross. And in their cries for help, I heard the voice of Christ calling me to love without hesitation.
To practice radical compassion is to recognize the dignity of every human being, especially those whom society has marginalized. It is to see beyond appearances, beyond fear, and beyond prejudice, and to embrace each person as a beloved child of God.
Radical compassion requires a willingness to go beyond the limits of comfort and convenience. It is not a love that remains distant or detached; it is a love that gets its hands dirty, that suffers alongside others, and that offers everything it has.
When I chose to live among the lepers of Molokai, I did so because I believed that love demands presence. I could not merely preach to them from afar; I needed to share in their lives, their struggles, and their hopes. I built churches, heard confessions, bandaged wounds, and buried the dead. Over time, I became one of them—not just in spirit but also in body, as I eventually contracted leprosy myself.
Some may see this as a tragedy, but I see it as a gift. To suffer with those I served was to share in the very heart of Christ’s mission. Jesus Himself took on our humanity, entered into our pain, and gave His life for our salvation. Radical compassion calls us to imitate this self-giving love, to be willing to lose ourselves so that others might find life.
To love radically is to live fully. It is to find meaning and purpose in the service of others and to experience the joy of being an instrument of God’s mercy.
The world today is in desperate need of radical compassion. There is so much division, prejudice, and indifference toward the suffering of others. The example of Jesus and the call of the Gospel challenge us to break down these barriers and to love boldly and unconditionally.
Radical compassion does not require extraordinary circumstances. It begins in the small acts of kindness we show to our neighbors, the sacrifices we make for our families, and the openness we extend to strangers. It is a way of life that sees every person as worthy of love and every moment as an opportunity to serve.
It’s not an easy path, but it is the way of Christ, and in living out this call, we not only transform the lives of others, we also draw closer to the heart of God ourselves.
Open your heart to the radical compassion of Christ. Go to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and He will give you the strength for whatever He calls you to. Let His love flow through you to heal this broken world. It is only by loving without limits that we find the true meaning of our lives.
Father Damien
That is what I imagine he would say to us.
Saint Damien of Molokai, pray for us!
Trust. Surrender. Believe. Receive.
LESSON
Be willing to go wherever God calls you and do whatever He asks you to do, including doing what you are doing right now, right where you are.
VIRTUE OF THE DAY
Compassion: Compassion comes from the Latin word compati, meaning to “suffer with.” The virtue of compassion isn’t merely acknowledging someone’s suffering. It’s sharing in that person’s suffering.
DIVINE MERCY PRAYER
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.”
I hope those quotes and the sample day give you a feel for this wonderful volume. I could have easily highlighted twice as many passages. Most days I read the chapter after listening to the video so much of the day was already a reminder. I pray that you pick it up and give it a read. It is guaranteed to change your life.
This is another one of those volumes that could be read over and over again and with each reading you will get something more out of it. I could easily see it becoming a Catholic Classic. The material is presented in clear style. The material is easy to engage with. The samples from saints and others across church history will inspire and challenge readers. A high school student could read it and benefit from the reading and someone who is retired could read it and make improvements for the fourth quarter of their life. And the consecration at the end of the 33 days will be moving.
This is an excellent read. Any Catholic would benefit from reading it. I challenge you to read it and see! I highly recommend this excellent offering from Mathew Kelly’s pen.
This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!.
April 11, 2025
Matthew Kelly never disappoints. This was the perfect read for the season of Lent. I always learn something new about my faith in every book I read of his.
June 20, 2025
A very comprehensive look at the mercy of God. It includes saints such as Mother Teresa's focus on God's mercy. Included also are the corporal and spiritual works of mercy and our relationship to them. I especially liked the nine days of the Divine Mercy Novena. The prayers on those days were very meaningful. Also meaningful to me were the emphasis in praying for the souls in Purgatory and the identifying each living person by name when we are asking God to help them. But I have just skimmed the surface of this book. Matthew did a great job!
April 30, 2025
Filled with great history and loving reflections, Matthew Kelly provides readers with the grace to enter into a consecration to the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ. Inspiring and uplifting with moving passages about his own life and the lives of many Saints, Kelly does an astounding job of faithfully guiding Christ's Church.
April 21, 2025
Thank you, Matthew Kelly and Dynamic Catholic, for making my Lenten Season more special with the book and journal, 33 Days to Divine Mercy. Loved the message, and learned so much!
Happy Easter Season!
Happy Easter Season!
April 26, 2025
This was a wonderful book to prepare us for Divine Mercy Sunday. Even though this book can be read anytime of the year, it is special to read the 33 days of readings during Lent, then starting on Good Friday, there is a nine day novena where everyday you pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
May 2, 2025
This book is beautiful. It had given me a new perspective of life. I want to live Divine Mercy for the rest of my life. Every Catholic needs to read this book. So far all the Matthew Kelly books I’ve read are so great and filled with wisdom I can practice.
July 10, 2025
This book captured my attention, lost it, captured it again, and lost it again. Some sections were incredibly interesting and thought provoking. Others were humdrum and repetitive. Overall, it’s worth reading, but I won’t return to this one like I will “Beautiful Eucharist”.
April 13, 2025
Another wonderful, thoughtful book by Matthew Kelly. It takes you on a 33 days journey to Divine Mercy.
April 19, 2025
Great Lenten consecration with inspiring reflections.
June 19, 2025
Did this for Lent and it was awesome!! Love the incorporation of the corporal and spiritual works of Mercy— the Lord was definitely placing the Divine Mercy chaplet on my heart with this one.
September 13, 2025
Used this book in a study group and it was so powerful and lovely to read.
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