Memorial of Saint John Paul II, Pope
Karol Józef Wojtyła, elected Pope on October 16, 1978, was born in Wadowice, Poland, on May 18, 1920. On October 16, 1978, Cardinal Wojtyła was elected Pope and on October 22 he began his ministry as universal Pastor of the church.
A lot of studies have already been written about Saint of God John Paul II. Hundreds of volumes of books, hundreds of thousands of articles and just as many websites devoted to the Holy Father are a sign of his continuing popularity and presence in the hearts of millions of people around the world.
Faith - a living bond with Christ
The basic dimension of Saint John Paul II's spirituality was a living relationship with Jesus Christ. It was from this spiritual friendship with the Savior that the Holy Father drew impulse and inspiration for further pastoral initiatives. But that is not all. Thanks to his complete union with Christ, the Pope became a reflection of him, a sign of him. All those who met the Holy Father experienced extraordinary joy and touching of their hearts. This power that flowed from John Paul II had its original source in Christ. Observing the praying Pope, one could sense a great tension caused by the great desire of the heart to "seize" as much of God's grace as possible. This faith gave the Holy Father great strength of spirit and self-confidence. Knowing that his thoughts, words and deeds were inspired by God's power, the Holy Father could be direct and spontaneous.
This anchoring in Christ made Pope Wojtyła look at the world through God's eyes. He was able to quickly judge reality in the light of Jesus' teaching. When he went out to the crowds, he was aware that he was doing it, as it were, in the place of Christ, hence he wanted to be whole for the multitudes of people who came to meet him. He wanted Christ to reach every person through his ministry, therefore he made the pilgrim effort to proclaim the Gospel to every creature in every corner of the world. One can risk a statement that John Paul II was a sign, and maybe even a kind of "sacrament" of Christ for the world atthe end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. However, in order to fulfill this work, he had to first entrust himself to his Master, to unite his heart and soul with the soul of his Savior.
Trust in God's Providence
Deep faith determined not only the Holy Father's vision of the fate of the world, but also in his life. Consequently, the Holy Father was convinced that everything that happened in his life was God’s plans. For me personally, the episode described by Cardinal Dziwisz in “Testimony" is very appealing. Well, right after the attack and hospitalization, John Paul II returned to his normal activities, including those associated with meeting with the faithful. His closest advisers and papal security advised him to start wearing a bulletproof vest from then on. - It is God who will decide when I leave this world! - the Holy Father responded to these suggestions. Actually. He was convinced that even the smallest detail of everyday life has its purpose and meaning in God's providence. As John Paul II's closest associates recall, he saw everything that happened in his life with the eyes of faith.
Totus tuus
John Paul II taught us all who Mary really is. Through his Totus tuus, he not only reminded the entire world of the sense of entrusting himself, but at the same time, with his life, he gave evidence of the fruits that flow from this entrustment. Often this spiritual bond of the Pope with Mary is reduced only to entrustment in the sense of defense against physical evil. Meanwhile, both the content of his speeches, the teaching of John Paul II and his very attitude seem to prove that this Marian devotion was much deepened. He was looking for Jesus in Mary. Through her Immaculate Heart, Pope Wojtyła was filled with Christ; in her Immaculate Heart he found Jesus’ fullness.
Dedication of the world to the Divine Mercy
Canonizing Sr. Faustina on April 30, 2000 Saint John Paul II instituted the Feast of the Divine Mercy in the whole Church, asking God through the intercession of the Saint from Krakow, “And you, Faustina, a gift of God to our time, a gift from the land of Poland to the whole Church, obtain for us an awareness of the depth of Divine Mercy; help us to have a living experience of it and to bear witness to it among our brothers and sisters.”
Saint John Paul II completed this act by a solemn dedication of the world to the Divine Mercy, made on August 17, 2002. Then he reminded the community of the Church of the universal truth about the Divine Mercy and in the newly consecrated sanctuary in Lagiewniki, which he called the “World Center of the Devotion to Merciful Christ”, he dedicated the fate of the world and every individual to God the Merciful Father who revealed his love in the Son, Jesus Christ, and poured it upon us in the Holy Spirit the Comforter.
Saint John Paul II died in the Apostolic Palace at 9:37 p.m. on Saturday, April 02, 2005, the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday, which he had instituted. On April 08, his solemn funeral was celebrated in Saint Peter’s Square and he was buried in the crypt of Saint Peter’s Basilica. On May 01, 2011, the Remains of Saint John Paul II were moved to under the altar of Saint Sebastian, next to the Pieta. John Paul II was beatified in Saint Peter’s Square on May 01, 2011, by Pope Benedict XVI, his immediate successor and for many years his valued collaborator as Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He was canonized by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014, on Divine Mercy Sunday.
John Paul II and ... I
One final note. Every day I ask Saint John Paul II to intercede for all my intentions withour Merciful Lord. However, it is necessary to go further. It is necessary to imitate him. This, in turn, is very difficult. In order to accomplish this task, it is worth asking Saint John Paul II, to help us achieve holiness, to follow in his footsteps and to let someone say about us: Santo subito!!!
Fifteenth Southern California Congress of Divine Mercy begins Saturday
The Congress of Divine Mercy begins Saturday, October 23, at the Parish of Christ the King in Los Angeles. Saint John Paul II is the patron of this Congress. This year’s Congress’ theme will be: The Year of the Family “Amoris Laetitia.” Family Saves the World.
On behalf of the organizers of the congress I am pleased to invite you to be part of this event. Also, please extend this invitation to your friends, neighbors, family and anyone who is interested to attend. It is not too late to register online at the website www.timeofmercy.com , on the phone: 323/449-9014 or in Person at the event.
Enclosed you will find the Program.
The Divine Mercy Congress will take place at Christ the King Parish, 617 N. Arden Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90004
Your participation will be a sign of your devotion to Divine Mercy. Please Join us. Please pray for the Congress and become aWitness of Divine Marcy.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george