Memorial of Blessed Father Michael Sopoćko
Father Michael Sopoćko, the confessor and spiritual director of Saint Sister Faustina, was deeply engaged in the mystery of the Merciful Jesus's revelations to her. God entrusted him with the crucial task of fulfilling the mission given to Sister Faustina, and Father Sopoćko dedicated nearly his entire life to this calling.
In June 1933, Fr. Michael Sopoćko met Sister Faustina Kowalska for the first time in Vilnius, where he served as the regular confessor for the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. “At the very beginning, she told me that she knew me because of a vision. She also said that I was to be her spiritual director, tasked with fulfilling some of God’s plans as conveyed by her," he recalled years later. Father Sopoćko served as Sister Faustina’s confessor and spiritual director until March 21, 1936, when she departed from Vilnius. He later corresponded with her numerous times, providing advice and direction for her spiritual life and mission. While in Krakow, he visited her at the convent and the hospital in Prądnik. At his request, Sister Faustina started writing her Diary. He was also the one who arranged for the painting of the first image of the Merciful Jesus in Vilnius in 1934 and facilitated its public veneration during the celebrations of the Jubilee Year of Redemption from April 26 to 28, 1935, at Ostra Brama (the “Dawn Gate”). Before World War II, he made efforts to persuade church authorities to establish the Feast of Divine Mercy. He wrote several books on the truth of Divine Mercy and dedicated his life to instituting the Feast of Divine Mercy and gaining approval for the Divine Mercy Devotion.
Father Michael Sopoćko was born in Juszewszczyzna, in the Oszmiański district, on November 1, 1888. In 1910, he entered the Seminary in Vilnius. He was ordained in 1914 and worked as a vicar in Taboryszki for four years. From 1919 to 1924, he served as a chaplain in the army in Warsaw while also pursuing specialty studies at the University of Warsaw’s Faculty of Theology and the Institute of Education. In 1924, he was transferred to Vilnius, where he continued to serve as an army chaplain until 1932. Beginning in 1928, he worked as an Assistant Professor in Pastoral Theology at the Faculty of Theology of Stefan Batory University. He also served as a spiritual director at the Vilnius Seminary from 1927 to 1932. In 1947, he moved to Białystok and lectured at the Seminary until 1962. His ministry was notably diverse: he was a parish priest, a religious education teacher, and an organizer of educational courses. He also served as a teacher and lecturer at both the university and the seminary, as well as a spiritual director and confessor for seminarians, priests, and nuns. Additionally, he served as an army chaplain, was active in promoting sobriety, and contributed to the construction of churches.
He passed away in Białystok on February 15, 1975, on the Feast Day of St Fustinus. In 1987, the diocesan process for the beatification of Fr. Sopoćko was initiated, and in 1993, the documents were submitted to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. In 2004, Saint John Paul II issued a decree recognizing the heroic virtues of the Servant of God, followed by another decree concerning a miracle attributed to his intercession. He was beatified in Białystok on September 28, 2008, and his relics are housed in the Divine Mercy Church in Białystok, which has been elevated to the status of a diocesan sanctuary. The Liturgical Memorial of Blessed Michael commemorated on February 15, the anniversary of his birth in heaven.
In Los Angeles, we have the opportunity to honor this great promoter of devotion to Divine Mercy at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, situated at Christ the King Church in Hollywood. The relics of the Blessed Priest are also located there.
Throughout my journey to Divine Mercy, I had the privilege of meeting Father Sopocko. I was lucky to see him multiple times, especially during his visits to our rectory, where I was born. In 1974, just before his death, I had the honor of meeting Fr. Michael Sopocko for the last time as a seminarian. He had a remarkable ability to understand exactly what someone needed and their life stage, often without asking. He encouraged me with the words, "Embrace Divine Mercy fully," which have stayed with me ever since. I can still vividly remember the warmth of his hand on my forehead as he blessed me one final time.
From the Diary of Saint Faustina:
“He is a priest after My own Heart;
his efforts are pleasing to Me (...)
Through him, it pleases Me to proclaim
the worship of My Mercy” (Diary, 1256).
“As a result of his efforts,
a new light will shine in the Church of God
for the consolation of souls” (Diary, 1390).
"Write that by day and by night My gaze is fixed upon him,
and I permit these adversities in order to increase his merit.
I do not reward for good results but for the patience
and hardship undergone for My sake” (Diary, 86).
"There will be as many crowns to form his crown,
as there will be souls saved by this work" (Diary, 90).
God’s Servant Father Michael Sopocko wrote in His Diary: “There are truths that are known, often heard, and spoken, but not fully understood. This was the case concerning the truth of Divine Mercy. I mentioned this truth many times in my sermons and contemplated it during retreats. I repeated it in church prayers - especially in the Psalms - but I did not grasp its meaning, nor did I reach the core of its essence as the Highest Attribute of God’s external activity. It was necessary for a simple nun, Sister Faustina from the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, to guide me intuitively, often telling me this truth briefly and stimulating me to examine, study, and reflect on it frequently. At first, I didn’t understand the problem; I listened, doubted, thought, studied, and sought the advice of others. Not until several years later did, I understand the significance of this work and the greatness of this idea.
I became convinced of the effectiveness of this old but neglected idea that calls for renewal in our times - the immense, life-giving cult. (...) Trust in God’s Mercy, the spreading of this mercy among others, and selfless sacrifice in all thoughts, words, and deeds to it, without any hint of self-seeking, will be the guiding principle for the rest of my life, with the help of this immeasurable mercy.”
(Fr. M. Sopocko, Diary).
Until next time
fr. george