The Apostolate of Divine Mercy

History Of The Apostolate Of Divine Mercy

In early 1988, Mrs. Milan Dator, together with some of her friends in the Diocese of Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines, started a Divine Mercy devotional prayer group at the San Sebastian Cathedral. Later that year, Fr. Miguel Carreon, who was then the associate pastor at the Cathedral, became Mrs. Dator’s spiritual director and confessor.

In the same year, the prayer group became known as the Apostolate of Divine Mercy and subsequently, the Bishop of the Diocese of Bacolod, His Excellency, Camilo Gregorio issued a mandate officially recognizing the group as a diocesan lay religious organization on April 7, 1990. He also appointed Fr. Carreon as the group’s spiritual advisor on September 7, 1993, and gave the Imprimatur on the book of prayers being used by the group on December 6, 1989.

In 1992, Mrs. Dator came to Orange County, California and continued to spread the Divine Mercy devotion. She eventually moved to Los Angeles in 1993 where she formed another Divine Mercy devotional prayer group at St. Kevin’s Church with Fr. Leo Steinbock as the group’s spiritual director.  In 1995, the group was incorporated formally under the laws of the State of California.

The Apostolate continues to grow, in both membership and geographic locations. Each affiliate of the Apostolate is required to have a Spiritual Director. Presently, the Apostolate has Fr. John Brannigan, SSC of the St. Columban Parish and Fr. Jim Clarke, as the Spiritual Directors in Los Angeles.  And Fr. Ronald Quijano in the Diocese of Bacolod, Occidental Negros, Philiippines.

Members  of the Apostolate are guided by their firm belief in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and therefore, entrust themselves  to the Divine Mercy and His power to unify and transform all of mankind with open minds and goodwill, though diverse in race, sex, age, color, culture, religion, expressions  of  faith,   ministries,    religious    orders,     religious  associations or charisms in ecumenical unity with the Roman Catholic Church from within  and  without.  Anchored  on   this  credo  are  the  Apostolate’s Statement of Mission, Vision and Objectives as well as its organizational structure covering the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

Membership in the Apostolate is open to anyone who shares this belief and is willing to commit himself/herself to work  with  the  Apostolate  towards the achievement of its mission and objectives.

Substantially all costs of materials, prayer books, travel, supplies  and  other  incidental  expenses  are paid for by the members  of  the  Apostolate.  Donations  are  not  actively  solicited,  except  for  the cost of  framing the images of the Divine Mercy given to individuals and families.