“Our founder, St. Stanislaus Papczyński, is truly a saint for our times. In the midst of war, uncertainty, and personal suffering, he remained faithful — and in the midst of our own trials today, we are called to do the same.”
Dear Marian Helpers and Members of our Marian Family,
In 1670, when St. Stanislaus Papczyński vowed to establish the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, I wonder if he could have imagined that one day his spiritual sons would carry out their ministry not only in Poland and Eastern Europe, but across the world.
Today, the Marian Fathers serve in more than 20 countries, including Poland, Ukraine, India, the Philippines, the United States, Argentina, and, of course, the United Kingdom.
In God’s Providence, St. Stanislaus Papczyński’s feast day, 18 May, is also the birthday of Pope St. John Paul II — a great friend and benefactor of the Marians, who entrusted to us in 1993 the mission of promoting the message and devotion of Divine Mercy.
Our Founder
Saint Stanislaus Papczyński (1631–1701) was a passionate preacher and a zealous promoter of the Immaculate Conception. He stressed the importance of prayer for the souls in Purgatory and of living the Christian life seriously and faithfully. He established the Marians as an active community, dedicated to parish missions and retreats, preaching and teaching, assisting local clergy, and publishing materials to deepen the faith.
More than 350 years later, the Marian Fathers continue the legacy of this holy priest, our dear Founder. We still offer parish missions and retreats, preaching and teaching the truths of our Catholic faith — especially devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the message of Divine Mercy, and prayer for the Holy Souls.
Powerful intercessor
Saint Stanislaus was no stranger to difficulty and adversity. Yet through it all, he trusted firmly in Divine Providence. Despite persecution from political and religious authorities, attacks on his reputation, difficulties within his own community, and financial hardship, he persevered.
He is a powerful model for us: in trusting God, persevering in prayer, forgiving those who wrong us, and entrusting ourselves to the maternal care of Our Lady.
He is also a powerful intercessor. The Marian Fathers have received many testimonies of favours obtained through his prayers. He is especially known as a patron of the unborn, as both of the miracles recognised for his beatification and canonisation involved children in the womb.
He is truly a saint for our times. In the midst of war, uncertainty, and personal suffering, he remained faithful — and in the midst of our own trials today, we are called to do the same. He is a model especially for priests and religious, showing us how to serve God wholeheartedly, relying not on our own strength, but on the grace that God so generously gives.
Please join us in prayer to St. Stanislaus
As Marian Fathers, we are proud and deeply blessed to call St. Stanislaus our Founder, walking the path he set before us and striving to imitate him, just as he imitated Our Lord and His Blessed Mother. And as Marian Helpers, members of our Marian family, he is a patron for you as well, guiding you in a life of prayer, service, and trust.
In our “small but powerful chapel” in West Ealing, London, we will be praying a Novena through his intercession for all of you, your intentions, and your loved ones. I warmly invite you to send us your intentions and entrust them to this holy priest, as together we support one another in prayer.
In a world that so often pulls us away from God, St. Stanislaus Papczyński’s example calls us back to simple yet profound practices: to prayer, to trust, and to fidelity. May we not lose heart, but press on with confidence in Divine Providence, knowing that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it. United in prayer, let us keep one another close to the Heart of Christ.
May God bless you now and always!
Fr Alex Pumphrey, MIC
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Contact Father Alex at info@divinemercy.org.uk
Please send us your prayer intentions! (click here). We will place them at the foot of our altar in the Divine Mercy Apostolate’s Chapel here in West Ealing, London and will remember them in our daily Chaplets of Divine Mercy.
