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Passenger on board Flight 1549

Flight 1549 crashed into the Hudson River during the 3 o'clock hour (at about 3:30 pm),
which Christ told St. Faustina is “the hour of great mercy”. It was during this hour that
His heart was pierced by a lance, and blood and water gushed forth as a fountain of mercy
for the world. “In this hour,” He told her, “I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a
request of Me in virtue of My Passion.” (Diary of Saint Faustina) May you have enough
happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you
human and enough hope to make you happy.

Saturday January 24 2009

Dear Vinny Flynn,
I sincerely hope this email finds its way to you. I was a passenger on Flight 1549
that Thursday last week crashed into the Hudson River near New York and all 155
passengers and crew aboard were saved. My name is Fred Berretta and I am 41 years old.
You might have caught a glimpse of me or heard me on CNN or Fox the night of the
crash (see Youtube). I was interviewed by Lou
Dobbs, Wolf Blitzer and Bill O'Reilly and dis-
cussed the crash that night.
I had been on a one-day business trip to New
York and sat in seat 16A just behind the left
engine. My trip was a last-minute decision the day
before. I finished my meetings early on Thursday
and realized I had time to attend the 12 noon mass
at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It was unusual for me to
have the extra time, but that day I did. After Holy
Mass I stopped by the gift shop just across from
the cathedral and purchased your book, “7 Secrets
of the Eucharist”.
As I waited to board Flight 1549 bound for
Charlotte, where I live, I began reading your book. I continued reading while we taxied
until just after take-off.
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I think I got through about half of it and then decided to close my eyes and reflect
on the incredible insights your book gave me regarding the Eucharist. We were climbing
out and just a minute or so into the flight I heard the impact of the bird strikes and then
the explosion in the left engine. I could see it on fire and the cabin began to smell like jet
fuel. As a private pilot, once I realized the second engine was also not functioning, things
became quite tense.
While I had known about and prayed the Divine Mercy chaplet years before, I had
not really focused on it in quite a long time. Incidentally, I had prayed the chaplet the day
before at 3 pm. I had forgotten that in my briefcase I had long kept a copy of a booklet of
the Divine Mercy chaplet, which had excerpts from St. Faustina's diary. When I arrived in
New York, I had some time at my hotel and decided to clean out my briefcase, something
long overdue. I found the Divine Mercy booklet, prayed the chaplet, and read some of the
words of Jesus to Faustina.
Before we hit the water, I thought about the words Jesus promised, that nothing
would be refused if asked for during the hour of mercy. I really thought there was a good
chance myself and others would die, but I asked God to be merciful to us, I prayed the
Lord's Prayer and a Hail Mary. I then prayed to St. Michael, and we impacted the water.
The odds were not with us that day, but God clearly was with us. I believe it is the only
commercial jet airliner to successfully ditch in the water without fatalities in the history
of aviation.
I just want you to know that your book gave me comfort as we were going down,
and for that I am grateful. I know a lot of people prayed on that plane and that I was not
the only one. The “Miracle on the Hudson”, I believe, was a testament to the Mercy of
God, and a sign of hope.
Take care and may God continue to bless your ministry and bless you in all your
efforts to spread the message of Divine Mercy and make known the wonders of Holy
Communion.
Best regards,
Fred Berretta

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, New York

Divine Mercy Chaplet
• How to Recite the Chaplet:
The Chaplet of Mercy is recited using ordinary Rosary Beads of five decades. The
Chaplet is preceded by two opening prayers from the Diary of Saint Faustina and
followed by a closing prayer.

1. Make the Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. Optional Opening Prayers

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!

3. Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be
done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our
trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil, Amen.

4. Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and
blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

5. The Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ,
His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into
Hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, sitteth at the
right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and
the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
6. The Eternal Father
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.

7. On the Ten Small Beads of Each Decade

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
8. Repeat for the remaining decades
Saying the “Eternal Father” (6) on the “Our Father” bead and then 10 “For the sake of His
sorrowful Passion” (7) on the following “Hail Mary” beads.

9. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times)

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole
world.
10. Optional Closing 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.