We cut him food into small pieces, but it did not help. It was a drama. We mixed, but it did not always work out like that. Although he was getting tired, suffocating, he kept trying. He did not protest. There was a lot of humility in that. He also humbly asked for prayers. As in the meditations before the “Angelus” prayer on Sunday, February 27th: “Above all, I ask you to continue to accompany me with your prayers” he wrote. His words were read by Archbishop Leonardo Sandri. Archbishop Mokrzycki mentions that these meditations were particularly poignant. That there was the entire truth about the meaning of suffering. The suffering of Christ and the one that touches each of us. The one that touched John Paul II. It was very touching – recalls the Archbishop. The Pope, who has temporarily lost his voice and suffered a lot, explains to the crowds praying for his health that this suffering makes sense. Why Christ’s suffering made sense. The Holy Father prepared us for our last join Easter. That’s how I read it today. I remember how he at that time for a few minutes approached the window and blessed people in front of the clinic. At one point, he touched the place where he had a hole in his neck as if he wanted to explain to everyone why he can’t talk to them. Earlier, Archbishop Sandri said on his behalf: “The penitential atmosphere of Lent that we are experiencing also helps us to better understand the value of suffering, which, in one way or another, affects everyone. By looking at Christ and following Him with patient confidence, we are able to understand that every human form of sorrow includes God’s promise of salvation and joy.”
With the consent of Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki – “Place for everyone”
Znak Publishing House, Kraków 2013.
