Published: 2026-10-31

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in the Light of Catholic Dogmatic Theology

Wojciech Słomski
Studia Teologiczno-Historyczne Śląska Opolskiego
Section: Articles
DOI https://doi.org/10.25167/sth.6120

Abstract

The article offers a systematic theological reflection on the central formula of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (“Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Son”) in light of the classical Trinitarian, Christological, and soteriological doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. The aim of the study is not to issue a doctrinal judgment on the prayer, but to examine its literal semantic structure in relation to the precise dogmatic language of the Nicene–Chalcedonian tradition. The analysis suggests that, when read in a strictly literal sense, the formula may generate tensions with classical distinctions concerning the unity of the divine essence (homoousios), the hypostatic union, and the principle secundum humanitatem – virtute divinitatis. These tensions are structural and semantic in nature and concern the conceptual framework of devotional language rather than the faith of the Church or the intention of the prayer itself. In response to these difficulties, the article proposes a hermeneutical model – personalist, economic, and synecdochic – which enables the contested expressions to be interpreted within the bounds of orthodoxy. At the same time, the study highlights the methodological limits of devotional language in relation to the normative function of dogma, seeking to maintain a balance between ecclesial sensitivity and dogmatic rigor.

Keywords:

Chaplet of Divine Mercy, homoousios, Trinity, hypostatic union, communicatio idiomatum, private devotion, theological hermeneutics

Download files

Citation rules

Słomski, W. (2026). The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in the Light of Catholic Dogmatic Theology. Studia Teologiczno-Historyczne Śląska Opolskiego, 46(1), 99–131. https://doi.org/10.25167/sth.6120

Cited by / Share

This website uses cookies for proper operation, in order to use the portal fully you must accept cookies.