“True holiness does not mean a flight from the world; rather, it lies in the effort to incarnate the Gospel in life — in the family, at school and at work, and in social and political involvement.”
- Bl. Pope John Paul II (1920-2005)
Perhaps one of the most memorable days in my life was January 6, 1986, when I met Pope John Paul II in a private audience. There were 43 of us who accompanied Fr. Donald W. Wuerl, now Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, for his consecration as a bishop. Not only did I see the Holy Father in a private audience with our group, but I also had the opportunity to receive Holy Communion from him. A picture hangs in my rectory office capturing that most memorable moment. At the time I was 23 years old and then-Father Wuerl told the Holy Father I was studying for the priesthood in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. With his sunburst smile and joyful spirit, the Pope said to me, “To study for the priesthood of Jesus Christ ... there is no greater vocation in all the world.” Those words stung my heart at that tender age, just two years before my ordination on May 21, 1988. (I must admit, I was a bit jealous of Fr. Tim Whalen, a priest of our Diocese of Pittsburgh, who could speak Polish. He got a longer conversation with the Holy Father!) Nonetheless, as history has written, John Paul II goes down as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century.
Karol Jozef Wojtyla was born in Poland on May 18, 1920 (the same date we sold our Mom and Dad's house in 2004 — I attributed the sale to him!) By the time Karol was 12, he lost both his mother and his brother Edmund, who was his personal hero. By the age of 20, Karol also lost his father, Karol Wojtyla, Sr. The Pope would later tell writer, Andre Frossard, “At 20, I had already lost all the people I loved.” Karol became Pope John Paul II on October 16, 1978. He was the first non-Italian pope in 456 years and the youngest in 132 years. He was 58 years old when elected. For 26 years he exercised a world-wide ministry as Supreme Pastor of the Church, feeding his sheep and being the rock upon which the Church rests; his positive influence was felt around the globe. His appeal to the youth was unprecedented, especially in his World Youth Days which are held every 2 to 3 years. On May 13, 1981, while riding through St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul II was shot by Mehmet Ali Agca. The Pope was hit in the abdomen, his right elbow and left index finger. He received the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at Gemelll Hospital and surgery there saved his life. Later, Pope John Paul II personally met with and forgave his attacker. Though he lost his strength to Parkinson's Disease (triggered perhaps by a would-be assassin's bullet and arthritis), the Pope never displayed any resentment about his condition, but used his infirmity to teach the world the nobility of Christian suffering. Pope John Paul II died on Saturday, April 2, 2005, on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday, which we celebrate today and which he instituted fulfilling the request of fellow pole, St. Faustina Kowalska. Pope John Paul II was an actor, avid hiker, sportsman, poet and advocate for the poorest of the poor. He was pronounced “Venerable” in 2009 and will be given the title “Blessed” by Pope Benedict XVI at a beatification ceremony in Rome this Sunday, May 1.
Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl recently published a book entitled "The Gift of Blessed John Paul II: A Celebration of his Enduring Legacy" in which he summarizes 24 encyclicals and apostolic exhortations of this 264th successor of St. Peter. Having lived across the corridor of Bishop Wuerl's room during my seminary days, I admired the Bishop's practice of reading the lives of the popes. Each night he would spend an hour before retiring to bed studying his many books on the popes.
For over a quarter of a century, Pope John Paul II visited 133 countries around the world, traveling approximately 765,000 miles, to meet his flock across the face of the planet. It is estimated that 17 million people were present for his weekly audiences at St. Peter's square over the course of his pontificate. Noted as the pope to canonize more saints than any other, (a total of 482), it was fitting that the crowds at his funeral spontaneously chanted for him, “Santo! Santo!” (“A Saint! A Saint!”) and waved banners that read, “Santo subito!” (“Sainthood now!”). His message of hope will be forever remembered which he launched at his first public Mass when he encouraged us to “Open wide our hearts to Christ” and to put aside fear and “Be not afraid!”
Throughout our lives, we all need faith maps, faith models and faith mentors. As one who entered the seminary just two years after Pope John Paul II was elected, I feel eternally grateful and blessed to have had such a father-figure in my life. It was just one month before my natural father, David W. Jones, died on February 8, 1986, that I met Pope John Paul II. It was the last and perhaps the greatest gift my father shared with me -- in sending me to Rome to meet such a holy man.
This past week, at the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, Bishop Zubik had us call to mind a priest who had a profound influence upon our lives. Immediately I thought of my home pastor, Fr. Thomas F. Carey, who died in 1999 at 87, and who reminded his flock to pray daily for the Holy Father, our bishop and our pastor, all unworthy servants of the great call, that they might fulfill their respectful offices. At the entrance of our church here at St. Joseph are 3 pictures: the pope, the bishop and the pastor, to remind the faithful to pray for us, that God would protect and guide us so that we may sanctify His holy people. Bishop Zubik at the Chrism Mass noted 3 titles which a priest bears: 1) husband -- married to Christ's bride, the Church 2) father -- instrument of giving “new life” 3) servant -- ”alter Christus” (other Christ) -- who pours out hearts and life for God‟s people. Blessed John Paul II, we love you!
Prayer for Asking Graces through the Intercession of Blessed Pope John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank You for having graced the Church with Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of Your Fatherly care, the glory of the Cross of Christ and the splendor of the Holy Spirit to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with You. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints. Amen.
P.S. A heartfelt word of thanks for the Easter cards, goodies and gifts. And thanks to all who decorated the church so beautifully at Easter, to Ginny Ambrose, to the choirs and all ministers for the uplifting and inspiring liturgies.
P.S. A heartfelt word of thanks for the Easter cards, goodies and gifts. And thanks to all who decorated the church so beautifully at Easter, to Ginny Ambrose, to the choirs and all ministers for the uplifting and inspiring liturgies.
