Seminar and retreat will address Divine Mercy devotion and angels

By Mary Ann Wyand

Spirituality programs at Cardinal Ritter High School and the Marian Center in Indianapolis during November will feature well-known experts on the Divine Mercy devotion and spiritual direction.

A Divine Mercy seminar from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 12 at Cardinal Ritter High School’s cafeteria will address the image and devotion of Divine Mercy, the life of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament, the hour of mercy and Mary, the Mother of Mercy.

The keynote presenters are Marian Father Seraphim Michalenko, vice postulator for the canonization of St. Faustina and rector of Divine Mercy for the Marians of the Immaculate Conception in Stockbridge, Mass., and Dr. Robert Stackpole of Vancouver, British Columbia, director of the John Paul II Institute of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, and author of spirituality books.

A retreat titled “The Holy Angels and Spiritual Direction” from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the Marian Center will be presented by Father Titus Kieninger of Detroit, a priest with the order of Work of the Holy Angels, who ministers as a spiritual director and retreat master.

St. Roch parishioner Kurt Schlegel of Indianapolis, who helped plan the one-day retreat, said Father Kieninger’s presentations “will integrate God’s purpose of the Holy Angels in our own lives and spirituality.”

Father Kieninger will discuss “The Holy Angels in the Catholic Faith,” “The Holy Angels and the Family Life” and “The Holy Angels and Our Prayer Life.”

The retreat costs $30 per person and includes lunch, Schlegel said, and is “a great way to prepare for the holy season of Advent.”

Cardinal Ritter High School and the Marian Center are located behind St. Michael the Archangel Church at 3354 W. 30th St. in Indianapolis.

Sister Mary Ann Schumann, an anchoress who ministers at the Divine Mercy Chapel at St. Michael Parish, said Father Michalenko is “internationally known because of his work on the cause of sanctity of St. Maria Faustina.”

St. Faustina was canonized by Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000, as the first saint of the new millennium.

“At her canonization, the late Pope John Paul II instituted the feast of Divine Mercy to be celebrated worldwide on the second Sunday of Easter,” Sister Mary Ann said. “The private revelation given to St. Faustina offers no new doctrine, but does give new insights and provides guidance for the Church in this time of great need for Divine Mercy. St. Faustina knew her mission, which was to plead for mercy for the Church and for the world.”

Sister Mary Ann said Father Michalenko and Stackpole will explain “the image of Divine Mercy, the life and mission of St. Faustina, the feast of Divine Mercy, the hour of mercy, the chaplet of Divine Mercy, the novena, and Our Lady, Mother of Mercy, and how important that is for our Church today.”
A free-will offering will help pay for the cost of the seminar. Stackpole’s books on the devotion will be available for purchase.

(For more information on the Divine Mercy seminar, call Sister Mary Ann Schumann at 317-926-1963. For more information on “The Holy Angels and Spiritual Direction,” call the Marian Center at 317-924-3982 or 317-888-0873.) †