The suffering of St. John Paul II has helped many sick and dying people to endure ailments of the body and spirit – says the former papal secretary, Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz. As he notes, the 16th anniversary of the death of St. John Paul II coincides with Good Friday, experienced in the time of a pandemic.
The retired Metropolitan of Krakow told PAP that despite the passage of time, the memory of John Paul II’s departure is still alive. “It was a humanly sad and painful time, but at the same time filled with some light” – noted Cardinal Dziwisz, adding that right after the Pope’s death, The “Eternal Rest” was not said, but rather the “Te Deum” was sung, thanking God for the life of the Holy Father.
The former papal secretary assessed that the events from 16 years ago were, on the part of John Paul II, a lesson of limitless trust in God’s mercy, of humble acceptance of the mystery of dying, but also a lesson of solidarity and community.
Card. Stanisław Dziwisz emphasized in an interview with PAP that the Pope accepted suffering “with humility and even with a certain serenity.” “His humility was also manifested in the fact that he did not avoid cameras, meetings with people, although he knew that they could see his weakness and even his physical helplessness. It was courageous – to show his suffering to the world. I think that it helped many sick and people dying suffering from ailments of body and spirit “- explained the retired Archbishop of Krakow. As he added, it did not mean, however, that the Holy Father was dazzling with suffering, but that he accepted help with simplicity and showed sincere human gratitude.
In the opinion of Card. Dziwisz the weaving Good Friday and the anniversary of the death of St. John Paul II can be read symbolically, especially in the context of a pandemic. “The lesson that John Paul II gave to the world when he was leaving for his Father’s house can be a source of consolation and solace for those who despair after the death of their loved ones, and also for those who fear for their health and safety,” said the former papal secretary. In his opinion, the events of March and April 2005 were a time of interpersonal solidarity. “The lesson that John Paul II gave to the world when he was leaving for the Father’s house, can be a source of consolation and solace for those who are desperate after the death of their loved ones, as well as for those who fear for their health and safety,” he said.
The cardinal also spoke about the great importance of the stations of the Cross for the Holy Father. As emphasized by St. John Paul II was a man of the Cross, carrying it to the end. “I was a daily witness to this Way of the Cross, his service, his bravery, his total entrustment to Jesus and His Mother,” added the retired Archbishop of Krakow.
Card. Stanisław Dziwisz emphasized that the pandemic reminds people that they are not immortal, and that God can call us to Himself at any moment. As he said, life is worth living to the very end, and the process of dying related to suffering is not less valuable in God’s eyes than the time of living with full strength. Former secretary of St. John Paul II also called for not postponing reconciliation with God and others. “For a meeting with the merciful Lord one has to be prepared at any time. This was also made clear to us by the pandemic, because many not only did not manage to say goodbye to their loved ones, but also left with the deadweight of hurt that they did not manage to forgive” – said the retired Bishop of Krakow.
St. John Paul II passed away on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday, a feast that he had established. They are preceded by a novena to the Divine Mercy, which begins on Good Friday. The desire to establish the Feast of Mercy on the first Sunday after Easter was expressed by Jesus himself in the revelation of St. Faustina Kowalska. “On this day, the depths of My mercy are open, I pour out a whole sea of graces on souls who approach the source of My mercy, which soul will go to confession and Holy Communion will receive complete forgiveness of sins and punishments” – the words of Jesus that we read in the Diary of St. Faustina.
Papal Good Friday – 5 thoughts of St. John Paul II on the 16th anniversary of his death
The 16th anniversary of the death of St. John Paul II coincides with Good Friday. In 2005, the last days of the Polish Pope’s life fell on the first days of the Easter season. John Paul II left for the Father’s house on the eve of the Divine Mercy Sunday that he had established. Many emphasize the symbolism of the weaving of these dates. In an interview with PAP (Polish Press Agency), the former papal secretary, Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, emphasizes that the departure of the Holy Father was a lesson in unlimited trust in God’s mercy.
What about death, the cross, but also about the truth of God’s mercy, the same St. Pope John Paul II said?
- “Each one of you is being challenged to listen to the words of the Lord: “whoever wishes to be my follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day and follow in my steps” (Lk . 9:23): the cross of rejecting the ways of thinking which contradict the teachings of Jesus; the cross of rejecting desires and behavior which are not worthy of the followers of Christ. You are being invited to allow the transforming grace which flows from the Cross of Christ to enter your lives – especially through the reception of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation”. – Message of the Holy Father John Paul II to youth taking part in the way of the cross during World Youth Day; Manila, January 13, 1995
- “Where might the human being seek the answer to dramatic questions such as pain, the suffering of the innocent and death, if not in the light streaming from the mystery of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection?” – Encyclical Letter “Fides Et Ratio” September 14, 1998.
- “Father Maximilian leaves the line, to be accepted as a candidate for the ‘hunger bunker’, in the place of Franciszek Gajowniczek: he makes the decision, in which the maturity of his love and the strength of the Holy Spirit are manifested at the same time, and carries out this evangelical decision to the end: he gives his life for a brother
(…) Maximilian Kolbe also suffered death: in the end, he was given the coup de grace with a fatal injection. However, in this death the spiritual victory over death, similar to that which took place on Calvary, was manifested together. And therefore he ‘did not suffer’ death, but ‘gave his life’ for a brother. In this there is the moral victory over death. ‘To give one’s life for a brother’ means to become, in some way, a minister of one’s own death”. – The pilgrimage to Poland. Homily during the Holy Mass; Niepokalanów June 18, 1983.
- “What happened the day after the institution of the Eucharist, even that went beyond the realm of human understanding: the crucifixion of God, the death of the Son of God on the tree of ignominy.
And yet we must announce precisely this death, precisely this death, because through him the invincible life has manifested itself. Through him the sacramental truth of the Eucharist was also fulfilled, so inconceivable for man.
I am the truth. As truth I am way, and I am life. We believe in this life.
On the day of his resurrection, Christ definitively confirmed the truthfulness of the whole messianic mission”- IV Pilgrimage to Poland. Homily during the Holy Mass; Olsztyn, June 6, 1991
- “Let us make our own the Psalmist’s exclamation which we sang in the Responsorial Psalm: the Lord’s mercy endures for ever! In order to understand thoroughly the truth of these words, let us be led by the liturgy to the heart of the event of salvation, which unites Christ’s Death and Resurrection with our lives and with the world’s history. This miracle of mercy has radically changed humanity’s destiny. It is a miracle in which is unfolded the fullness of the love of the Father who, for our redemption, does not even draw back before the sacrifice of his Only-begotten Son” – Homily of the II Sunday after Easter; Vatican, April 22, 2001.
