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RCIAGraduate
Guest
Didn’t someone people not like that themselves?
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tafan2
Guest
Now that’s a fun game. I will try:
St Peter, has to be first
The following are in no particular order:
Linus, likely chosen by Peter himself, so we will count him
St Gregory the Great
Gregory VII (Hildebrand)
St John Paul II
Leo the Great
Leo XIII
Pius X
Paul III
Now, I need to find one more. Of course, I am trying to avoid just naming the modern ones because they are in our recent history. I am tempted to say Benedict XV (that’s not a typo), but am not for sure.
St Peter, has to be first
The following are in no particular order:
Linus, likely chosen by Peter himself, so we will count him
St Gregory the Great
Gregory VII (Hildebrand)
St John Paul II
Leo the Great
Leo XIII
Pius X
Paul III
Now, I need to find one more. Of course, I am trying to avoid just naming the modern ones because they are in our recent history. I am tempted to say Benedict XV (that’s not a typo), but am not for sure.
Poles would never have chosen communism of their own accord. Poland is a very ambitious, hard-working, materialistic (in both good and bad ways) society. When I first went to Poland in 1990, artifacts of the communist system were still in place — a large bas-relief of the ideal socialist worker, with hammer and sickle if I recall correctly, in the atrium of the Palac Kultury in Warsaw (Palace of Culture, the huge Stalinist skyscraper in the middle of downtown), and another building with a large neon sign on the roof, “Centrum Techniczne ZSRR” (USSR Technical Center) on one of the main highways. They didn’t waste much time in getting rid of the socialist sculpture, and in chopping off the “ZSRR” part. I can easily imagine it being detached with acetylene torches and dumped over the side of the building to crash to the ground several stories below. (I don’t know if that’s what happened, but it’s easy to imagine. I don’t think it blew over in a windstorm.) Modern-day Warsaw, seen from the airport several clicks out, looks like Charlotte, North Carolina, gleaming skyscrapers of glass, pretty impressive skyline. Under communism it was a gray, concrete, depressing, ugly city. I have definitely seen the “before and after”.
This gives me chills every time I watch it.
I don’t think the Palac Kultury is a particularly bad-looking building, but mine would be the minority opinion in Poland.
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tafan2
Guest
We are way off target, but I think it is a beautiful building. I love at deco architecture.
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Taras_Bulba
Guest
Okay, if we can indulge in one more off-topic piece… I saw BB King in concert at the Sala Kongressowa in the Palac Kultury (1995-6? Not sure of date). The seats were terribly small with no leg room and I was relieved when everyone finally stood up.
I have to imagine that was something to see!
They could always rip out the seats and install new ones.
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Gab123
Guest
Mediocre he was not.
In addition to writing 14 Papal Encyclicals enlightening our times and establishing many Apostolic Constitutions, he wrote dozens of Apostolic Letters as well as Pastoral Letters and Papal Exhortations to guide the Church through turbulent times.
He produced the Universal Catechism of the Catholic Church, written in Latin upon which all other vernacular translations have to heed, and introduced the Five Mysteries of Light to the Holy Rosary, no doubt inspired by the Holy Spirit for this current age of darkness and the culture of death. The mysteries meditate upon the proclamation of the gospel, the divinity of Christ, the holiness of marriage and the Real Presence of the Holy Eucharist.
He greatly promoted the establishment of perpetual adoration chapels around the globe, and his constant call for the New Evangelization, especially the re-evangelization of Catholics, activated the laity like never before and ushered countless of Protestant converts to the faith. In fact most of the apologists on Catholic Answers are converts.
His choice of the papal name of John Paul was specifically intended to implement the authentic teachings of Vatican II begun by Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI, steering the Barque of Peter through a sea of misinformation and surrounded by wolves and in the midst of heretics and schismatic inside the Church.
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He was a prolific writer in service of the Church, and in his lifetime wrote 7 inspirational plays, penned over 20 books, including poetry. He also produced audio recordings including the Holy Rosary in Latin for the Universal Church. He spoke 12 languages and spoke to the flock in their native tongue. He produced many audio recordings and sung the Ave Maria on behalf of the Church
He promoted the Message of Fatima and met with Sr. Lucia multiple times and established the Feast of Divine Mercy throughout the Universal Church.
His personal presence visiting the corners of the earth in his 27-year pontificate brought hope to millions, confirmed his brethren in the faith inspiring vocations around the globe. Not only was his painful personal story a harrowing experience, his experience through World War II and as Archbishop under Communist Poland forged his character; he taught us through example how to suffer and to strain every ounce of energy in service of the Lord; how to forgive and be humble, imitating Christ and being a beacon of light in this dark world. He was a true testament to faith in Jesus Christ
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
In addition to writing 14 Papal Encyclicals enlightening our times and establishing many Apostolic Constitutions, he wrote dozens of Apostolic Letters as well as Pastoral Letters and Papal Exhortations to guide the Church through turbulent times.
He produced the Universal Catechism of the Catholic Church, written in Latin upon which all other vernacular translations have to heed, and introduced the Five Mysteries of Light to the Holy Rosary, no doubt inspired by the Holy Spirit for this current age of darkness and the culture of death. The mysteries meditate upon the proclamation of the gospel, the divinity of Christ, the holiness of marriage and the Real Presence of the Holy Eucharist.
He greatly promoted the establishment of perpetual adoration chapels around the globe, and his constant call for the New Evangelization, especially the re-evangelization of Catholics, activated the laity like never before and ushered countless of Protestant converts to the faith. In fact most of the apologists on Catholic Answers are converts.
His choice of the papal name of John Paul was specifically intended to implement the authentic teachings of Vatican II begun by Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI, steering the Barque of Peter through a sea of misinformation and surrounded by wolves and in the midst of heretics and schismatic inside the Church.
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
He was a prolific writer in service of the Church, and in his lifetime wrote 7 inspirational plays, penned over 20 books, including poetry. He also produced audio recordings including the Holy Rosary in Latin for the Universal Church. He spoke 12 languages and spoke to the flock in their native tongue. He produced many audio recordings and sung the Ave Maria on behalf of the Church
He promoted the Message of Fatima and met with Sr. Lucia multiple times and established the Feast of Divine Mercy throughout the Universal Church.
His personal presence visiting the corners of the earth in his 27-year pontificate brought hope to millions, confirmed his brethren in the faith inspiring vocations around the globe. Not only was his painful personal story a harrowing experience, his experience through World War II and as Archbishop under Communist Poland forged his character; he taught us through example how to suffer and to strain every ounce of energy in service of the Lord; how to forgive and be humble, imitating Christ and being a beacon of light in this dark world. He was a true testament to faith in Jesus Christ
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
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Toledo
Guest
“However, I don’t know where people get the idea that he was somehow instrumental in bringing down communism. The biggest influence that I saw him having was just by virtue of his nationality and the inspiration that had on the Polish people to be a constant thorn in the USSR’s side.”
If you don’t mind answering, were you of at least high school age in the mid 1980’s? His presence was everywhere in the discussions/politics/ethics of Communism during that era. I was only in High School at the time, and it was common belief of all people I knew of (beyond faithful Catholics) such as media, writers, teachers, etc. that he was the critical person in the conflict with Communism.
As a side note, he rooted out perverted clergy whenever there was evidence. However, being a man of such devotion and holiness, he was absolutely floored by the thought that any clergy would be so debased to break their vows (much less with children). His personal holiness was so deep that at times I think he had a hard time understanding some clergy were so far below the lowest level of deserving priesthood.
He was like comparing a major league baseball player to a kid struggling to hit off a tee - he was so advanced beyond the horrible sinning priests that he may have assumed people’s personal holiness when they didn’t have it. Towards the later part of his Papacy, he started having Cardinal Ratzinger (later Benedict XVI of course) investigate these cases because he naturally gave people always the benefit of the doubt, and sometimes you need someone more suspicious/able to see the evil from a different lens.
If you don’t mind answering, were you of at least high school age in the mid 1980’s? His presence was everywhere in the discussions/politics/ethics of Communism during that era. I was only in High School at the time, and it was common belief of all people I knew of (beyond faithful Catholics) such as media, writers, teachers, etc. that he was the critical person in the conflict with Communism.
As a side note, he rooted out perverted clergy whenever there was evidence. However, being a man of such devotion and holiness, he was absolutely floored by the thought that any clergy would be so debased to break their vows (much less with children). His personal holiness was so deep that at times I think he had a hard time understanding some clergy were so far below the lowest level of deserving priesthood.
He was like comparing a major league baseball player to a kid struggling to hit off a tee - he was so advanced beyond the horrible sinning priests that he may have assumed people’s personal holiness when they didn’t have it. Towards the later part of his Papacy, he started having Cardinal Ratzinger (later Benedict XVI of course) investigate these cases because he naturally gave people always the benefit of the doubt, and sometimes you need someone more suspicious/able to see the evil from a different lens.
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RogueSemicolon
Guest
Cardinal Sarah, in his book, God or Nothing regards the heroic suffering of St. John Paul II as the focal point in understanding his extraordinary life:
When Cardinal Sarah was asked “what he found most touching about this pope,” he responds by saying that he “admires his extreme courage in facing all the storms he weathered throughout his life. His last struggle with the illness that was consuming him was heroic. In refusing to hide himself or to deny the progressive destruction of his body, John Paul II intended to help all sick people, who could look to him as an example. For the pope, people who suffer are worthy of being honored (Ibid, p. 94).”
He went further to recount how the final days of John Paul II were “a sort of unwritten last encyclical. The pope was carrying the Gospel in his broken body, which was more luminous than ever.” He concludes by saying that it can be difficult for us to see past the “bookish, academic Church” and understand the truth of redemptive suffering. “The Cross of Christ is not a theory but a dreadful ordeal and a sign of love (Ibid, p. 95).” The suffering of Christ was made manifest in the witness of the life of St. John Paul II, who lived the Gospel to the fullest so that we may all see and understand Christ through him, in ways more profound than any word he proclaimed. In an era in which the culture of death pervades, he taught us how to suffer and die with grace and dignity.
(God or Nothing, Ignatius Press, 2015, p. 93)
When Cardinal Sarah was asked “what he found most touching about this pope,” he responds by saying that he “admires his extreme courage in facing all the storms he weathered throughout his life. His last struggle with the illness that was consuming him was heroic. In refusing to hide himself or to deny the progressive destruction of his body, John Paul II intended to help all sick people, who could look to him as an example. For the pope, people who suffer are worthy of being honored (Ibid, p. 94).”
He went further to recount how the final days of John Paul II were “a sort of unwritten last encyclical. The pope was carrying the Gospel in his broken body, which was more luminous than ever.” He concludes by saying that it can be difficult for us to see past the “bookish, academic Church” and understand the truth of redemptive suffering. “The Cross of Christ is not a theory but a dreadful ordeal and a sign of love (Ibid, p. 95).” The suffering of Christ was made manifest in the witness of the life of St. John Paul II, who lived the Gospel to the fullest so that we may all see and understand Christ through him, in ways more profound than any word he proclaimed. In an era in which the culture of death pervades, he taught us how to suffer and die with grace and dignity.
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Sean
Guest
- Peter
- Gregory the great
- Leo the great
- Pius V
- Pius X
- Leo XIII
- Pius IX
- Pius XI
- Pius XII
10.Clement XIV
Tis_Bearself
Patron
I’ll try this, but it’s going to have to be my top 10 personal favorite Popes because I don’t feel like I’m in a good position to be deciding that one Pope is greater than another Pope, unless it’s putting St. Peter at the top of the list. Additionally, I’m pretty sure there were great Popes that I simply don’t know enough about yet to include in my list.
- St. Peter
- St. Leo the Great
- St. Pius V
- St. Clement
- St. John Paul II
- Pope Leo XIII
- Venerable Pope Pius XII
- St. John XXIII
- St. Pius X
- St. Gregory the Great
Honorable mention: St. Damasus
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