 |
|
|
 |
|
|
Click here for JPII Images
Let me roll back the veil of time and take you to the not-so-distant past. The world then, divided into two camps poised for a war everyone feared and one that would consume us all. A decade of violence, guerrilla warfare, personal excesses, and sacrifice was coming to an end. It would be replaced by the 1980’s; another era promising much of the same and worse; this time was fuelled by the politics of selfishness and doubt and an economy that hailed the mantra, “greed is good.” Where were we all headed? Then when many of us had our minds on the evening news, our budget, and our own well-being you appeared out of one of the most unlikely of places. Unassuming and with some trepidation you took on the Mantle of St. Peter and some us turned to look. What we saw was a fairly young man, by the standards of the Office you assumed, from somewhere we had all heard about but thought no one could leave from. It was a surprise for the faithful and those who watched world events with interest, but more we did not expect. Even in the more distant past, before you arrived, Vatican II and all of its promises of renewal had seemed to fade into the thick curtains of time.
Stirrings we heard from the East about our “enemy” beginning to have its own doubts and stability. When we took a closer look and you were there. In what seemed like an unusual place, you stood between the camps. To the East you called for social justice, a voice for the people, and an end to military repression. To the West, you called for social justice for the unborn, the poor, the marginalized, and a voice for all people of faith, and end to the repression of pure capitalism without conscience. More of us turned to watch, accept this time many of listened and heeded your call. In what appeared to be a true act of Faith and a fulfillment of what Christ had told his followers to do, we watched you leave Rome and visit places the heir of St. Peter had never ventured. “Go out and proclaim the good news”, seemed to ring from every place you visited. The empty promises of the West’s materialism and the East’s security could not cast a reflection in the mirror of the human soul, while your example and message did. More of us observed as leaders of democracies, tyrants, and dictators welcomed you and opened the door of faith which before you had been knocking on gently; but now through your words, rushing against with great force.
The door of faith began to swing open in every corner of the world. While some us had freedom and some did not; you demonstrated that true freedom was that of spirituality and a relationship with God. After a few meetings with a dictator in South America, he resigned and the Word you had talked about again was spoken in Churches across Chile. It seemed as if the common man always had a role in the life of our Faith. They knew Him first in Bethlehem, and then in our time in the shipyards of Gdansk, in the East they continued to know Him and want the freedom you spoke of. We saw you in your homeland of Poland saying Mass in open defiance of the authorities and although it was a symbol of political and spiritual freedom it gave us our own courage to celebrate our Faith in the decadent climate of the West. At last there was an alternative to the madness of personal fulfillment at any cost. Long before the present politics of religious intolerance for our brothers and sisters of the Islamic Faith, you visited a Muslim country and were greeted with the highest compliment from the Imam, “This man truly walks with God.” Your flock and many others were now listening and watching.
Christ commented that, “One should turn the other cheek if struck.” Your crusade for truth and forgiveness was so well illustrated during that fateful moment in St. Peter’s Square when the agents of repression sought to silence your voice. Oh how we were troubled that you might not be able to continue and we prayed. Then we saw you enter the jail cell of your would-be assassin and offer your forgiveness. In our culture of revenge and retribution, your living example of Christ’s message will forever be in our consciousness. You reached out to “Our older brothers and sisters” in the Faith and offered an apology and prayers at the Wailing Wall and the Holocaust Memorial in Israel and atoned for the wrong doings of the past. It has been said that if one does not know their past, then they do not know where they are going. While you rectified our imperfect history you offered an olive branch to the future.
Youth being the promise of tomorrow for the Catholic Church was finally being recognized, empowered, and celebrated through the creation of your World Youth Day. Critics from the West commented that, “The Church was out of touch, antiquated, and unattractive for youth.” Voices of the skeptical from the East heard the call but tempered it with comments about the validity of the spirituality and the true nature of the gatherings. Yet when World Youth began its mighty attraction reached every corner of the Earth drawing millions of youth to rediscover and exercise their Faith. Your harshest critics in the secular media were silenced and even some converted to your message. World Youth Day was offering something no government, political ideology, or sales promotion could; absolute truth. You taught us to live as Catholics again, correcting our path when it need so and reassuring us that everything was going to be fine in the world. Your writings guided us through our youth, adulthood, parenthood, and ultimately your example would teach us the divine nature and dignity of life and death.
Ironically as you grew weak in body your initiatives grew in strength. Your shaking hands and slurred speech were made insignificant by the demonstration of your will and the power of your words. In your eyes we all saw hope and determination, and for many, the dignity of suffering and old age. On that night you passed away to receive your eternal reward. The West, the East, the North, and the South were now all in concert mourning your passing with the united voice that had eluded us all for the past century. From failing hands you passed the torch proclaiming and living the Good News to the youth of the world. Prior to passed decades, we will now roll back the shroud of injustice, intolerance, and violence in favor of truth, spirituality, and genuine freedom. Your flock knows where it is now headed. Thank you Pope John Paul II.
Written by:
Manfred von Vulte
“If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!”(Rome, 08, 20, 2000) John-Paul II set our hearts and souls on fire. He was an incredible leader to those he loved so deeply. He stands uncompromisingly for the truths and values of the Lord. With a stunning simplicity and depth he feeds the human heart with food for which it starves in our modern culture…the truth. Young people don't love him in spite of the challenging demands of genuine love. People love the truth. JPII’s witness to the Catholic faith, inspired many people to seek a devotion to faith. He is a Vicar of Christ; he draws people into seeking a real relationship with Christ and a solid love for God. The suffering that JPII had to bear in his life was an inspiration of his authenticity. His confidence in the youth of our generation has given us courage, his acceptance has shown us that we are worth something, his sacrifice has taught us what it means to follow Christ, and his holiness has inspired us a desire to be a saint that the world will not extinguish.
Written by:
Stacey-Lee Parker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cologne, Germany (2005-08-16/21)
'We have come to worship him.'
(Matthew 2,2)
Diocesan Celebrations on Palm Sunday (2004-04-04)
'We wish to see Jesus.'
(John 12,21)
Diocesan Celebrations on Palm Sunday (2003-04-13)
'Behold, your mother.'
(John 19,27)
Toronto, Canada (2002-07-23/28)
'You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world.'
(cf. Mt 5:13-14)
Diocesan Celebrations on Palm Sunday (2001-04-08)
'If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'
(Lk 9:23)
Rome, Italy (2000-08-15/20)
'The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.'
(Jn 1:14)
Diocesan Celebrations on Palm Sunday (1999-03-28)
'The Father loves you.'
(cf. Jn 16:27)
Diocesan Celebrations on Palm Sunday (1998-04-05)
'The Holy Spirit will teach you all things.'
(cf. Jn 14:26)
Paris, France (1997-08-19/24)
'Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see!'
(cf. Jn 1:38-39)
Diocesan Celebrations on Palm Sunday (1996-03-31)
'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.'
(Jn 6:68)
Manila, Philippines (1995-01-10/15)
'As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.'
(Jn 20:21)
Diocesan Celebrations on Palm Sunday (1994-03-27)
'As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.'
(Jn 20:21)
Denver, USA (1993-08-10/15)
'I came that they might have life, and have it to the full.'
(Jn 10:10)
Diocesan Celebrations on Palm Sunday (1992-04-12)
'Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.'
(Mk 16:15)
Czestochowa, Poland (1991-08-10/15)
'You have received a spirit of sonship.'
(Rom 8:15)
Im the Way, the Truth and the Life.' (Jn 14:6) 1990
Diocesan Celebrations on Palm Sunday (1990-04-08)
'I am the vine, you are the branches.'
(Jn 15:5)
Santiago de Compostela, Spain (1989-08-15/20)
'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.'
(Jn 14:6)
Diocesan Celebrations on Palm Sunday (1988-03-27)
'Do whatever he tells you.'
(Jn 2:5)
Buenos Aires, Argentina (1987-04-11/12)
'We ourselves have known and put our faith in Gods love towards ourselves.'
(1 Jn 4:16)
Diocesan Celebrations on Palm Sunday (1986-03-23)
'Always be prepared to make a defence to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you.'
(1 Pt 3:15)
International Youth Meeting on Palm Sunday in Rome on the occasion of International Youth Year.
The Pope addresses an Apostolic Letter to the youth of the world. (1985-03-31)
In December, he announces the institution of World Youth Day. (1985-12-20)
International Youth Meeting on Palm Sunday in Rome, on the occasion of the Holy Year of Redemption.
On Easter Day, the Pope presents and entrusts the young people with the future World Youth Day Cross.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
