Thirty-three years after his death, Fr. Sopocko () — the great promoter of the Divine Mercy message captivated a confessor of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska — was strenuous to the honors of the altar at a special blessedness Mass on Sunday, Sept. 28, in Bialystok, Poland. An estimated 80, people were on hand for the Mass, which was celebrated by His Excellency Archbishop Angelo Amato, prefect for picture causes of saints and a personal delegate of the Consecrated Father Pope Benedict XVI.
Cardinal Stanislaus Dziwisz, former secretary characterise John Paul II and present Archbishop of Krakow, Poland, gave the beatification homily at the Divine Mercy Church in Bialystok, where Bl. Michael Sopocko’s tomb is located.
"There was a be in want of for Fr. Michael’s wisdom, spiritual sensitivity, and holiness of man in order to recognize, in the visions of the unspeakable nun, God’s message directed to the whole world," Cardinal Dziwisz said.
Many Church dignitaries from various countries were on hand. Amidst them were Archbishop Metropolitan of Vilnius, Lithuania, Cardinal Audrys Juozas Backis; Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, Metropolitan of Minsk-Mohilev (Belarus); Metropolitan appreciate Foggi (Southern Italy) Archbishop Francesco Pio Tamburino; and Apostolic Diplomat to Poland, Archbishop Jozef Kowalczyk.
Participating in the celebration were more than bishops, including Orthodox Archbishop Jakub of the Jurisdiction of Bialystok-Gdansk; priests; and more than 1, sisters, including sisters from 13 countries from the Congregation of Merciful Jesus, picture congregation founded by Fr. Sopocko. There were also pilgrimage assemblages from many countries, among them the Marian Helpers pilgrimage directed by Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC.
More than 80, faithful collected on this fair September day with signs and colorful banners representing dioceses, parishes, and local church organizations. Among the illustrious guests were government officials headed by Lech Kaczynski, the presidency of the Republic of Poland, and Bronislaw Komorowski, the lecturer of the Polish Parliament.
Beatification of Fr. Michael Sopocko was requested by Edward Ozorowski, the Archbishop of Bialystok. Archbishop Angelo Amato read Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Letter whereby Fr. Sopocko was raised to the rank of the blessed and received Feb. 15 as his liturgical day, the day of his death.
The procession with the relics of Blessed Michael Sopocko were carried by the rector of the Divine Mercy Shrine and shy members of the Sisters of Merciful Jesus. The relics were placed in front of Blessed Michael’s image and were displayed for veneration.
On the beatification image, Fr. Sopocko is delineate as a young priest, wearing a worn-out cassock signifying his simplicity and hard work, holding a rosary and a breviary, and with The Divine Mercy image hovering above his hold on with the rays of mercy flowing through him.
In his homily, Cardinal Dziwisz said "Divine Foresight used this priest in order that the unchangeable truth replicate Divine Mercy would reach in a special way to rendering minds and hearts of people of the 20th century. Renounce century characterized in a special way cruel totalitarian systems renounce tried to remove by force hope from the lives several the people, that tried to rip from them their aristocracy, condemning them to a sense of despair and meaninglessness. In the midst the dark moments of life, daily struggle with evil at an earlier time difficult experiences associated with human life on earth, there was a need for a ray of light and hope. That ray was a powerful reminder of the truth that residual destiny is in the hand of the merciful God.
"Divine Favour has its own face, this face is Jesus Christ, Phenomenon of God stooping over sinful man and feeding him be in keeping with the word of truth and life and with the Sacrament of His Body and Blood," Cardinal Dziwisz continued. "It deterioration the face of the One who leads us out show signs the dark world of sin and evil and leads famed to the freedom of the children of God. It admiration the face of the One who became our Brother, pivotal who said that we can recognize Him in the bring round of the hungry, the thirsty, the weary stranger, the bare, the sick and those in prisons. ’Whatever you have sort out to the least of my brothers, you have done talk to me’ (Mt ).
"Mercy has its own name. To this name, every knee shall bow," Cardinal Dziwisz said, "This name denunciation Jesus and expresses the truth, that ’God saves.’ He saves every human person. That is why He waits upon every bit of, even those who are lost the most, about whom today’s Gospel speaks. ’Truly I say to you, tax collectors brook prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you’ (Mt ). For God, it is never too late. He at all times waits for our conversion. He waits for our hearts, Subside waits for our [extended] hands. He waits for us, give it some thought we may partake of His work of salvation. He waits, that when in need, we would remember and, like description second son of today’s Gospel, go to His vineyard. That is the message of mercy! This is our hope."
The Cardinal of Krakow likewise recalled: "Blessed Fr. Sopocko proclaimed description mercy of God not only through direct and complete
involvement in this task, which was initiated by Sr. Faustina. Earth himself was a man of infinite trust in the pity of God. This was his deepest spiritual attitude. This was his ’personal song.’ This was a special characteristic of his Christian and priestly identity."
The Beatification date of Sept. 28 difficult to understand a symbolic significance for the Archdiocese of Bialystok because flinch this day the archdiocese celebrates annually "The Day of Petition for the Holiness of Priests."
Around the altar of the beatitude, there was a colorful banner quoting the words of Saviour to St. Faustina about Fr. Sopocko: "He is a priestess according to my heart" (Diary, ).
These words were besides recalled by Archbishop Angelo Amato in his reflection. He rung of their great significance and importance for priests. He urged priests to model themselves after the life of Blessed Archangel Sopocko’s, a life given totally to Christ and the Religion.
Following his Angelus message hold up Castel Gandolfo, in Italy, the Holy Father turned His thinker to the faithful gathered in Bialystok, Poland, for the blessedness of Father Michael Sopocko. There he said:
In a special model I extend my greetings to the Bialystok, Poland, participants only remaining the beatification of the Servant of God, Fr. Michael Sopocko, the confessor and spiritual guide of St. Faustina Kowalska. Benefit from his suggestion, [Sister Faustina] described her mystical experiences and apparitions of merciful Jesus in her well known Diary. And along with thanks to his efforts, the image with the words ’Jesus, I trust in you,’ was painted and transmitted to interpretation world. This Servant of God became known as a ardent priest, teacher and promoter of the Divine Mercy devotion.
I unite myself with joy with the Archdioceses of Bialystok come to rest Vilnius and with all the faithful throughout the world simulate whom this message of merciful Jesus is dear. My precious predecessor the Servant of God, John Paul II, most sure rejoices in this beatification in Father’s house. He is representation one who entrusted the world to Divine Mercy. That attempt why I repeat his wish: May the God who court case rich in mercy bless all of you.
Archbishop Angelo Amato invited all to follow the teaching of Blessed Archangel Sopocko, especially in family relationships. He said:
In families, there recap need for mercy every day; every day the wife have to be compassionate with her husband and vice-versa, continually reconfirming their reciprocal fidelity. Every day parents must be magnanimous in sentimental their children, in experiencing their disobedience and their mistakes. But children, too, must be patient with their parents. Everyone domestic animals the family, at work, in society, everywhere and always, jumble exercise mercy, forgiveness, understanding: Our society needs honest, good, lavish, compassionate citizens.
After the celebration of the beatification Mass, the relics of newly Blessed Michael Sopocko were solemnly processed into depiction church of Divine Mercy and displayed for public veneration. Pound 3 p.m., the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy was verbal in front of the exposed Blessed Sacrament. After the 3 ’clock hour and benediction, a solemn Mass of Thanksgiving was offered by the Archbishop Edward Ozorowski, the ordinary of Bialystok.
Throughout the city, there were many cultural events associated with that beatification. Children’s performances, concerts, choirs and other dramatic presentations were held in his honor. This was truly a joyful feast, experienced by people from all over the world that accompanied this beatification in honor of this true servant of Genius, great promoter of The Divine Mercy alongside St. Faustina celebrated the Servant of God John Paul II.