Father Seraphim Plans Louisiana Tour

One of the world's foremost experts on the message of The Divine Mercy, Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, will be barnstorming Louisiana from Nov. 28 through Dec. 4.

His agenda includes a radio interview, talks to various church groups, and taking part in a six-part television series on the life of St. Faustina and the message of Divine Mercy.

"I know we have a big following for Divine Mercy in Louisiana, so I think it will be a very good trip," says Fr. Seraphim, who served for 20 years as Vice-Postulator in North America for the canonization cause of St. Maria Faustina, to whom Jesus entrusted the message of The Divine Mercy in the 1930s.

Father Seraphim was a witness to the first miracle attributed to St. Faustina's intercession that opened the way for her beatification in 1993. He was also the coordinator of the efforts that served to verify that miracle and a second one that made possible the adding of the religious sister to the list of saints on April 30, 2000.

His trip to Louisiana was arranged by longtime Divine Mercy devotee Margaret Bieser.

His itinerary begins at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, which will hold a "Medjugorje Peace Mass." He'll be a celebrant. Following Mass, he'll give a talk.

"The message of Our Lady's apparitions at Medjugorje is one of peace," says Fr. Seraphim, referring to the alleged apparitions that began in 1981 in the small village of Medjugorje, in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Our Lady's message in Medjugorje ties in quite nicely with the message of Divine Mercy, notes Fr. Seraphim. "Our Lord told St. Faustina that 'Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My Mercy' "(Diary of St. Faustina, 300).

The following evening, at 7 p.m., Fr. Seraphim will deliver a presentation to priests, deacons, and seminarians at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. The topic: "The Relevance of The Divine Mercy Message and Devotions for Today."

He will deliver the same presentation - again, to priests, deacons, and seminarians - at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, at Our Lady of Mercy Parish Activity Center in Baton Rouge.

Father Seraphim notes how our Lord placed great importance on educating clergy about Divine Mercy.

Our Lord said to St. Faustina: "Tell my priests that hardened sinners will repent on hearing their words when they speak about My unfathomable mercy, about the compassion I have for them in My Heart. To priests who proclaim and extol My mercy, I will give wondrous power; I will annoint their words and touch the hearts of those to whom they will speak" (Diary, 1521).

Father Seraphim is also tentatively scheduled for an interview on Catholic Community Radio (KKAY 1590) on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

Then, on Monday, Dec. 4, he will be interviewed for a six-part series on Divine Mercy being produced by Baton Rouge Catholic Television (Catholic Life Television).

"They will be 30-minute programs that we'll air beginning the six weeks before Divine Mercy Sunday, in 2007," says Dina Martinez, a production assistant for the television station. "Divine Mercy is really growing in our area. People are really excited about this message. It'll be real exciting for me to interview Fr. Seraphim."

Father Seraphim is a familiar face to EWTN viewers, thanks to broadcasts of Divine Mercy Sunday, The Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the many interviews he has done about The Divine Mercy message and devotion.

You might also like...

The United States of America will be reconsecrated to Mary, Mother of the Church, by the U.S. bishops on May 1. The faithful who may join in by tuning into the USCCB’s social media platforms.

Healthcare Professionals for Divine Mercy prepare for another groundbreaking conference.

By the grace of God, we now add "MIC" to the names James Devine and Nicholas Medley.