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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.
This is a call to a deeper, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. John Paul's Beatification on Sunday, May 1, 2011 reminded us about of his life and message. 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, 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 3:00AM. 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 we 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 a photo of the image of Mary holding Jesus which is at the beginning of this Reflection. 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, especially to today's teenagers, who may be too young to remember or recognize John Paul II's influence on the Church and on the world. Today let us pray to Saint John Paul II for our priests, who were so dear to his heart. Many vocations were revealed to men through the powerful witness of Pope John Paul II.
PRAYER TO THE BLESSED MOTHER FOR PRIESTS
O Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ and Mother of priests, accept this title which we bestow on you to celebrate your motherhood and to contemplate with you the priesthood of, your Son and of your sons, O holy Mother of God.
O Mother of Christ, the Messiah, to priests you gave a body of flesh through the anointing of the Holy Spirit for the salvation of the poor and contrite of heart. Guard priests in your heart and in the Church, O Mother of the Savior.
O Mother of Faith, you accompanied to the Temple the Son of Man, the fulfillment of the promises given to the fathers; give to the Father for his glory the priests of your Son, O Ark of the Covenant.
O Mother of the Church, in the midst of the disciples in the upper room you prayed to the Spirit for the new people and their shepherds; obtain for the Order of Presbyters a full measure of gifts, O Queen of the Apostles.
O Mother of Jesus Christ, you were with him at the beginning of his life and mission and you sought the Master among the crowd, you stood beside him when he was lifted up from the earth consumed as the one eternal sacrifice, and you had John, your son, near at hand; accept from the beginning those who have been called, protect their growth, in their life ministry accompany your sons, O Mother of Priests. Amen.
Saint Pope John Paul II, on your feast day today, we ask you to bless and protect our priests and keep them holy. Blessed Mother Mary, watch over them and wrap your mantle around them. Protect our priests who bring us the Eucharist, the source of all life and love.
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.
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