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Vatican City, Apr 30, 2011 / 04:01 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- “I knew he was a saint.” Those were the words of Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, closefriend and confidant of Pope John Paul II, at the Circus Maximus in Rome thisevening. Gathered with him were tens of thousands of pilgrims who had cometogether by candlelight to remember, give thanks and pray.
“If today he is proclaimed blessed it is only because he wasalready a saint in life,” Cardinal Dziwisz continued, drawing upon his manyyears at Pope John Paul’s private secretary.
“I knew he was a saint. I knew for a long time when he wasalive and even before he was chosen to be Pope.”
His words were carried around the globe by a video link-upto five Marian shrines in four continents – Kawekarno in Tanzania, Guadalupe inMexico, Fatima in Portugal, Harissa in Lebanon and Lagniewniki in the Polish cityof Krakow.
It was from the last location that St. Faustina Kowalskaspread her message of the Divine Mercy of Jesus. Providentially, Pope John PaulII died on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday, five years after canonizing Faustinaand instituting the custom of giving this name to the second Sunday of Easter.
The pilgrims heard further testimonies from those who knewPope John Paul most and loved him best.
His press secretary for many years, Joaquin Navarro-Valls,gave an insight as to the source of Pope John Paul’s sanctity and serenity:
“He looked for the mercy of God every week in confession. Hebelieved that to be the cure for pessimism across the world. He would be mosthappy now if all of us got to confession on a regular basis.”
“He gave everything to God and did everything for God. Thankyou to you John Paul II for the masterpiece of your life that was made possiblethrough the help of God.”
Then the French religious sister whose miraculous cure fromParkinson’s Disease paved the way for tomorrow’s beatification retold herremarkable story. Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, said:
“When I was firstdiagnosed (in 2001) I had great difficulty even seeing Pope John Paul II on thetelevision. In him, though, I saw a reflection of my suffering. I alwaysadmired his strength, humility and courage. He was, for me, a shepherdaccording to the heart of God, close to the weakest and small, speaking up infavor of the family and peace.”
“Thank you toeverybody for being here tonight,” she concluded, “John Paul II looks down onyou and is happy.”
Those present were also treated to a musical homage courtesyof the Diocese of Rome choir and the orchestra of the city’s Conservatory ofSt. Cecilia. In turn they were accompanied by traditional offerings from Rome’sFilipino community and a choir from the Polish town of Glogow.
The event was organized by the Diocese of Rome. It’s VicarGeneral, Cardinal Agostino Vallini, told pilgrims towards the end ofproceedings:
“He (Pope John Paul) lived for God. He offered himselfentirely to God to serve the Church as a sacrificial offering. He would oftenrepeat this prayer: “Jesus, Pontiff, who handed himself to God as offering andvictim, have mercy on us.”
Fittingly, given Pope John Paul’s notable devotion to OurLady, the event drew to a close with the recitation of the rosary. Finally thepresent pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI, imparted his apostolic blessing byvideo-link from the Vatican.
Eight churches in central Rome will now remain openthroughout the night for pilgrims to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. StPeter’s Square will open to those attending tomorrow’s beatification ceremonyfrom 5:30 a.m. onwards.
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“If today he is proclaimed blessed it is only because he wasalready a saint in life,” Cardinal Dziwisz continued, drawing upon his manyyears at Pope John Paul’s private secretary.
“I knew he was a saint. I knew for a long time when he wasalive and even before he was chosen to be Pope.”
His words were carried around the globe by a video link-upto five Marian shrines in four continents – Kawekarno in Tanzania, Guadalupe inMexico, Fatima in Portugal, Harissa in Lebanon and Lagniewniki in the Polish cityof Krakow.
It was from the last location that St. Faustina Kowalskaspread her message of the Divine Mercy of Jesus. Providentially, Pope John PaulII died on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday, five years after canonizing Faustinaand instituting the custom of giving this name to the second Sunday of Easter.
The pilgrims heard further testimonies from those who knewPope John Paul most and loved him best.
His press secretary for many years, Joaquin Navarro-Valls,gave an insight as to the source of Pope John Paul’s sanctity and serenity:
“He looked for the mercy of God every week in confession. Hebelieved that to be the cure for pessimism across the world. He would be mosthappy now if all of us got to confession on a regular basis.”
“He gave everything to God and did everything for God. Thankyou to you John Paul II for the masterpiece of your life that was made possiblethrough the help of God.”
Then the French religious sister whose miraculous cure fromParkinson’s Disease paved the way for tomorrow’s beatification retold herremarkable story. Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, said:
“When I was firstdiagnosed (in 2001) I had great difficulty even seeing Pope John Paul II on thetelevision. In him, though, I saw a reflection of my suffering. I alwaysadmired his strength, humility and courage. He was, for me, a shepherdaccording to the heart of God, close to the weakest and small, speaking up infavor of the family and peace.”
“Thank you toeverybody for being here tonight,” she concluded, “John Paul II looks down onyou and is happy.”
Those present were also treated to a musical homage courtesyof the Diocese of Rome choir and the orchestra of the city’s Conservatory ofSt. Cecilia. In turn they were accompanied by traditional offerings from Rome’sFilipino community and a choir from the Polish town of Glogow.
The event was organized by the Diocese of Rome. It’s VicarGeneral, Cardinal Agostino Vallini, told pilgrims towards the end ofproceedings:
“He (Pope John Paul) lived for God. He offered himselfentirely to God to serve the Church as a sacrificial offering. He would oftenrepeat this prayer: “Jesus, Pontiff, who handed himself to God as offering andvictim, have mercy on us.”
Fittingly, given Pope John Paul’s notable devotion to OurLady, the event drew to a close with the recitation of the rosary. Finally thepresent pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI, imparted his apostolic blessing byvideo-link from the Vatican.
Eight churches in central Rome will now remain openthroughout the night for pilgrims to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. StPeter’s Square will open to those attending tomorrow’s beatification ceremonyfrom 5:30 a.m. onwards.
feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/catholicnewsagency/dailynews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/catholicnewsagency/dailynews/~4/QIjOqWg1CzA
Full article…