Father Michał Sopoćko was born on November 1, 1888, into a noble Polish family in Juszewczyzna, in the Oszmiana region (now Ashmyany, Belarus). He was ordained a priest in 1914 in Vilnius (now the capital of Lithuania).
In the years 1914–1918, he served as a vicar in the parish of Taboryszki (now Tabariškės, Lithuania). In 1926, he completed specialized studies in theology and pedagogy in Warsaw (now the capital of Poland).
In the years 1918–1940, he held various positions (military chaplain, spiritual director in the seminary, university professor, confessor to religious sisters) in both Warsaw and Vilnius.
During the Nazi occupation, he fortunately avoided arrest. From 1944 to 1945, he taught at the Diocesan Seminary of Vilnius until its closure by the Soviet authorities.
To avoid the risk of arrest by the Soviets, he left for Białystok in 1947. He taught at the Diocesan Seminary of that city. In 1962, he retired, continuing his pastoral activity in the small chapel at the house of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Family on Poleska Street, where he died on February 15, 1975.
In his rich and multifaceted pastoral activity, his primary focus was directed toward the Divine Mercy. As the confessor and spiritual director of Saint Faustina Kowalska, inspired by her visions, he dedicated himself completely to spreading the truth and the devotion of Divine Mercy by publishing many works, establishing a feast dedicated to the Divine Mercy, contributing to the painting of the Image of Merciful Jesus, and co-founding the Congregation of the Sisters of Merciful Jesus.
His process of beatification began in 1987. On December 20, 2004, in Vatican City, the decree of the heroic virtues of the Servant of God was promulgated.
In December 2007, the miracle through his intercession was approved. The solemn beatification took place on September 28, 2008, in Białystok at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy, where his relics are kept.
