I was living alongside the Saint. In other words, for almost forty years, every day I saw holiness from up-close; holiness which I always thought that it should look like this. I saw it in this man, in Karol Wojtyła, in his so deep, so mystery contact he had with God. In his deep yet transparent faith. In his courage, with which he testified the truth of Christ and the value of life. And, in his love with which he approached every person, respecting his/her dignity, regardless of skin color, race, or religious affiliation. I saw this holiness in the evangelical passion with which Karol Wojtyła sought to make the Church again like a family, a hospitable home under the sign of mercy, communion, unity among the multitude of charisms and gifts. For humanity to get rid of fear, to be resistant to the temptation of new conflicts, new forms of integralism. And that, after overthrowing the Berlin Wall and rejecting various ideologies, was able to find a path of peace, justice and solidarity. I saw holiness up close when Pope Wojtyła was still alive. I have seen ordinary holiness, inscribed in everyday life, in the duties and hardships of every day, in encounters with people from all over the world, in great public ceremonies, and in jealously guarded moments of personal spiritual life. I have also seen holiness full of amazement which was waking up every morning when the eyes were opening, seeing the great works of the Creator.
Later, years later, I saw holiness marked constantly with the cross; moreover, the entire life of Karol Wojtyła, starting from his youth was marked with it. I saw holiness on verge of heroism, if not martyrdom, because they were trying to kill him, and also because of a terrible illness that did not allow him to walk and then even speak, which eventually brought him to death. And, he accepted it all serenely, putting his fate in the hand of God. As he wrote at the beginning of the Testament: “I want to follow Him…” I have seen his holiness in this incredible multitude of people who came to say goodbye to him for the last time. Then they began to visit his grave. They returned again on the St. Peter’s Square on May 1, 2011, this time for beatification. They were his people. The people who loved him, who identified with him, or at least remained under his influence.
With the permission of Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz – “At the side of the Saint”
St. Stanislaw BM Publishing House, Krakow 2013
