30th Anniversary of 'Divine Mercy: No Escape'


After the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith lifted the ban on the promulgation of the Divine Mercy message in 1979, the Marians could finally promote this devotion openly. One of the ways in which they first promoted and taught the message of Divine Mercy was through producing the film Divine Mercy: No Escape.

This film tells the story of St. Faustina, played by actress Melanie Metcalf. Helen Hayes, "the First Lady of American Theatre," narrates the film. Divine Mercy No Escape also features Fr. George Kosicki, CSB. The screenplay was written in part by Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, the vice-postulator for the cause of canonization for St. Faustina. The filming took place in Poland, the Vatican, Germany, and the United States.

Divine Mercy No Escape premiered in 1987 at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California - the same year Marian Press published the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska.

This film helped open hearts and minds to the message of Divine Mercy. Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, PCPA, accepted Divine Mercy: No Escape for viewing on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) right from the start. EWTN broadcast it for several years, especially around Divine Mercy Sunday.

Members of the Association of Marian Helpers had a positive response to the film, many indicating that it helped to strengthen their faith and understanding of the importance of the Divine Mercy message.

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