Tag Archives: john paul ii

Scripture Commentary for October 22

October 21, 2013 – 5:17 pm

Read today’s Scriptures

Next year the Church throughout the world will likely celebrate the feast day of “Saint John Paul II”. Nonetheless, as we anticipate his canonization next year on Divine Mercy Sunday, we who have vivid memories of this saint rejoice not only for his holiness, but also for his “talent” of helping us realize that we could possibly be called to the same holiness that so radiated through his life and ministry.

Blessed John Paul II never tired of proclaiming Christ and His divine mercy. He proclaimed this not only in word, but also in deeds such as the forgiveness that he offered in the cell of his would-be assassin. From his own attempted murder, he brought forth the Good News. This attempt on his life was part of a wider drama in bringing the peace of Christ to the Soviet bloc in a non-violent manner. Less immediately successful was his confrontation up against the materialism and consumerism of the West. Nonetheless, if the roots of such Western selfishness run deeper than those of Communism—since so many in the West actually believe in the secular creed that surrounds them, unlike in Communist lands—so do the seeds planted by this holy pastor of the Universal Church. Perhaps the most famous example in this regard is the collection of Wednesday catechesis popularly called his “Theology of the Body”, which his preeminent biographer called a “time-bomb set to go off in the 21st century”.

We give thanks for the life and ministry of Pope John Paul the Great. We ask his continued prayers, that in the face of weakness we will remember his call to “be not afraid”, since the love of Jesus’ divine mercy is infinitely more powerful than sin and death.

Diocese of Wichita

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Canonization dates for John XXIII and John Paul II

September 30, 2013 – 7:54 am

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday morning held the Public Ordinary Consistory for the forthcoming Canonization of Blessed Pope John XXIII and Blessed Pope John Paul II. During the course of the Consistory in the Vatican’s Consistory Hall, the Pope decreed that his two predecessors will be raised to Sainthood on April 27, 2014, the day on which the Church celebrates the Second Sunday of Easter and Divine Mercy.

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Canonizations of John XXIII, John Paul II

August 21, 2013 – 1:17 pm

Catholic News Service is reporting on the possible dates for the Canonizations of Blessed John XXIII and Blessed John Paul II. Read here.

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Cardinal Dolan on the two new saints

July 5, 2013 – 2:49 pm

An Occasion of Great Joy

Today’s announcement that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has approved the cause for canonization of two of his beloved predecessors, Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II, is an occasion of great joy for the entire Church!

These two great Popes each had a profound impact on the Church and the world. In beginning the Second Vatican Council, Pope John XXIII helped present the timeless teaching of Jesus and His Church in the modern age. And, Pope John Paul II helped to bring that teaching to every corner of the globe, as a tireless missionary for the faith.

I know that today’s news has gladdened the hearts of the faithful throughout the world, just as it did for me. I look forward to being with Pope Francis when he raises to the altars of sainthood these two tremendous apostles of Jesus.

Timothy Cardinal Dolan
Archbishop of New York

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Pope signs canonization decrees for John XXIII and John Paul II

July 5, 2013 – 8:06 am

(Vatican Radio) Journalists in the Holy See Press Office busy getting to grips with Pope Francis’ first encyclical the Light of Faith, were somewhat surprised Friday lunchtime when Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. called them back for a second announcement: Pope Francis had approved the cause for canonization of two of his venerable and much loved predecessors Blessed John XXIII and Blessed Pope John Paul II.

Meeting with Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints, Friday morning, Pope Francis approved the promulgation of the decree and also convoked a special Consistory of the College of Cardinals to discuss the canonization of the Polish pope in depth.

Furthermore, he approved the favorable votes of the Ordinary Session of the Congregations Cardinals and Bishops regarding the raising to the altars of sainthood of Blessed John XXII.

This slightly unusual gesture was explained by Fr. Lombardi who told journalists that despite the absence of a second miracle it was the Pope’s will that the Sainthood of the great Pope of the Second Vatican Council be recognized.
Fr. Lombardi stated that a canonization without a second miracle is still valid, given that there is already the existing miracle that lead to the Roncalli Pope’s beatification. He also pointed to ongoing discussions among theologians and experts about whether it is necessary to have two distinct miracles for beatification and canonization. Certainly, he added the Pope has the power to dispense, in a Cause, with the second miracle.

However, there was no mention of dates. Neither for the Consistory nor for the Canonizations. Fr. Lombardi did not rule out that both celebrations could coincide, and he did express his belief that they would take place by the end of the year. Either way any date would be established during the Consistory.

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Stayed tuned. Possible big news around the corner!

July 4, 2013 – 3:13 pm

Reliable sources are saying that Pope Francis will sign documents tomorrow from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints assenting to the canonizations of both Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII.

The Congregation met earlier this week, but their recommendations are not announced until affirmed by the Holy Father. I guess this time they invoked the “Italian Secret” rule, which means you can only tell 100 of your closest friends, and they can tell only 10 of their friends, etc.

Anyhow, the cat seems to be out of the bag. Pope Francis’ affirmation would probably put the official canonization ritual sometime around the end of the year. It is presumed that both would be canonized at the same time.

Stayed tuned, folks. (It will be nice to know that I was ordained by a saint!)

The Concho Padre

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Sainthood in the offing for Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII

July 2, 2013 – 2:12 pm

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints has approved a 2nd miracle attributed to the influence of Blessed John Paul II, according to multiple reports in the Italian news media.

The Congregation also reportedly approved a 2nd miracle attributed to the influence of Blessed John XXIII.

If the reports are accurate, and Pope Francis adds his approval, both former Pontiffs could be canonized before the end of this year.

The prelates who compose the Congregation met on July 2, with a miracle attributed to Pope John Paul II reportedly on their agenda. The miracle had already been examined and tentatively approved by two panels of experts: one composed of doctors, the other of theologians. The prelates reportedly voted their final approval for the miracle.

The meeting’s agenda also reportedly included consideration of a miracle attributed to Blessed John XXIII. That miracle, too, was approved, sources said.

The Vatican has not announced the results of the July 2 meeting. The Congregation’s votes are technically secret, and do not officially take effect until the Pope authorizes the release of a decree. Cardinal Angelo Amato, the prefect of the Congregation, will meet with Pope Francis to present the vote for papal approval sometime in the near future.

Vatican-watchers have already begun theorizing that Popes John XXIII and John Paul II could be canonized at the same ceremony. Although earlier speculation had pointed toward the canonization of Blessed John Paul II in October, the advance planning required for the massive ceremony involving the canonization of two beloved Pontiffs could push the date back to December.

The Concho Padre

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Ordination Anniversary

June 24, 2013 – 8:11 am

Thirty-four years ago today (June 24, 1979) in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, at the Papal Altar, I knelt before Blessed John Paul II, and he ordained me a priest, the first American to be ordained by the then-new pontiff (only because I was the shortest!) Wow! Thirty-four years of priesthood. How time has flown! Praise God!

The Concho Padre

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