Fr. Mark Baron, MIC

Director of the Association of Marian Helpers ("Fr. Joseph, MIC")
at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy

Father Mark Baron, MIC, is the Director of the Association of Marian Helpers (“Father Joseph, MIC”) for the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the United States and Canada.

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Fr. Mark attended Purdue University and was ordained for the Marian Congregation in 2004. He has held a variety of positions over two decades, including Novice Master, Superior of the Marian House of Formation in Washington, D.C., and Administrator of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Darien, Illinois.

Since assuming his current position in January 2024, Fr. Mark has been a fixture on social media, offering a series on the Jubilee Year of Hope, and praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet live every Friday at 3:00 p.m. ET on Facebook, Instagram, and DivineMercyPlus.org.

Favorite anecdote:
One of the most inspiring moments in my life as a Marian of the Immaculate Conception took place during a pilgrimage to Poland and the tomb of the Founder of the Congregation, St. Stanislaus Papczyński.

Participating in Holy Mass and praying at the tomb of Fr. Papczynski was a thrill. When I was at his tomb, I asked his intercession for everything — especially for graces to be a faithful Marian. I ask for a greater devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and zeal to pray for the souls in Purgatory.

I was in Europe for a two-week pilgrimage to Europe during the summer of 1999 for the beatification of two Marian martyrs and the Holy Father's blessing of the Congregation's Shrine of Our Lady of Lichen in Poland.

Standing only a few feet from the Holy Father during our audience with him in Lichen was more than a little inspiring. I have such esteem for the Holy Father because through the Vicar of Christ, God leads us to all truth. I was also able to pray at the tomb of Marian Renovator, Blessed George Matulaitis in Lithuania.

I really love the "dust cloth" mentality of Blessed George. He wrote that he just wanted to be a dust cloth in the hands of Our Lord, sweeping up the cobwebs in the corners of His House. That's central to being a Marian. I really believe that in order to be happy and fulfilled in life, you have to have that dust cloth mentality. God can't work through you without this kind of humility.

More on Fr. Mark:
Meet the new 'Fr. Joseph': Fr. Mark Baron, MIC
Preaching in the Pentagon
Divine Mercy Plus videos