Family in Feast and Feria

Sarah is hosting the Loveliness of John Paul II.

I've been struggling for words to say. Two years ago we said goodbye to our beloved Pope John Paul II. I remember the call in the morning in 1978 -- Paul VI had died. I was eleven years old. And after his election, not even two months later, another early morning call, our new pope, John Paul I had died. I still associate early calls in the morning to sad news. And then we had our first Polish Pope election. I remember watching the smoke -- is it black? Is it white? Such confusion...and then his smiling face. John Paul II!

I grew up with John Paul. He was a large part of my life. I saw him in Rome twice, and attended two World Youth Days, one in his native Poland, the other in Denver. He was a dear father in my life, taught me much, and left more for me to learn. A week after Benedict XVI was elected, we miscarried our second child. We prayed to know the name of the child, and both dh and I chose the name "Karol Mary" after our beloved Pope and our Blessed Mother. Another constant reminder to us.

Although he died right before Divine Mercy Sunday, we suffered along with him during Holy Week. I don't know if I can ever separate the memory of his final days from the celebration of the Triduum. We were all walking with our dear "Papa" in Christ's footsteps. He didn't hide it from us -- he showed us what it meant to suffer. He lifted the veil, showed us to unite ourselves to Christ meant we have to embrace the Cross. To love Christ means to pray and to suffer -- and to do it all with joy and in peace.

I miss him, but I feel more closely united to him now that he is gone than on earth. In my heart I believe he is already in heaven praying for us all. The news from the Vatican today is wonderful. The diocesan phase of his Cause has been officially completed. He is on the fast track to being officially canonized and recognized with the official title of "Saint".

And then we can all pray together "St. John Paul the Great, pray for us!"

Official Prayer to Ask Favors through the Intercession Pope John Paul II

O Blessed Trinity, we thank you for having graced the church with Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your fatherly care, the glory of the cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him. Trusting fully in your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to your will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints. Amen.