Reflection: Saint John Paul II Do not be afraid...

On October 22, 1978, Pope John Paul II began his pontificate with these words:  “Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ.”  Today we celebrate his Feast Day. John Paul's Beatification on Sunday, May 1, 2011 reminded us about of his life and message to "Be not afraid."

I was blessed to attend his Canonization on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2014.  This was a grace more than I could have ever imagined. From the time he became Pope, I always felt a closeness to him.  I have come to know him as a personal intercessor for my family. The way it unfolded for me to go to Rome, I believe that he invited me to his Canonization.

On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2014, we were awakened at the Hour of Divine Mercy 3:00 AM. How beautiful is that! We looked outside our hotel to the street below. Streams of people filled the sidewalks of Rome; many were singing as they walked to Saint Peter's Square for the Canonization. We left our hotel at 5:30 AM and walked to Castel Sant' Angelo, a beautiful, round castle with a large angel on the top. We could see Saint Peter's Basilica from the castle. We found a place in the field outside the castle and waited for the 10:00 AM Mass. We prayed the rosary as we waited. We heard reports that every person from Poland was in Rome for the Canonization. It did seem that way! They love John Paul the way I do. As we watched the Canonization Mass on a jumbo-tron television screen, we were surrounded by a large group from Croatia, praying and carrying their flags so proudly. We truly understood the meaning of One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. It was such a beautiful grace for me to be present at this amazing moment in time. Our God truly is a God of surprises. He had more for me than I could have ever imagined. Later that afternoon, we were blessed to go to a private Mass in a beautiful church in Rome where there was perpetual adoration and a beautiful image of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. So many graces...

When I was in Saint Peter's Square, I took this photo of the image of Mary holding Jesus. After the attempt was made on John Paul's life, he looked around Saint Peter's Square and saw there was no image of Mary. He had this image painted there. Totus Tuus, Totally yours, was the way he lived his life, totally for Mary. She always leads us to her Beloved Son Jesus. I have been thinking about John Paul and how much I love him. I know he is with me. I love his writings on the Gospel of Life, Love, Suffering, the Rosary and the Dignity and Vocation of Women because they draw me into the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

The witness of the life of this great man and the words he spoke in his many homilies, speeches, and encyclicals are more relevant today than ever. John Paul II had a powerful influence on the Church and on the world. Today let us pray to Saint John Paul II for all families and for our priests, who were so dear to his heart. So many vocations to the priesthood were revealed to men through the powerful witness of Pope John Paul II. Let us pray to him for all families and that an abundance of vocations will be nurtured and born in our families. Let us ask him to help us be unafraid and to open wide the doors to Christ for our families and for all those for whom we pray.

"Immaculate Conception, Mary, my Mother. Live in me. Act in me. Speak in and through me. Think your thoughts in my mind. Love, through my heart. Give me your dispositions and feelings. Teach, lead and guide me to Jesus. Correct, enlighten and expand my thoughts and behavior. Possess my soul. Take over my entire personality and life. Replace it with yourself. Incline me to constant adoration and thanksgiving. Pray in me and through me. Let me live in you and keep me in this union always.  Saint Pope John Paul II

We entrust all the names we have received and all the names we will receive to Our Lady of the Rosary. We thank Jesus for giving His Mother to us.  Jesus we trust in You.