Exactly 42 years ago, on October 16, 1978, to the Holy See was elected a man “from a distant country” – Karol Wojtyła, and from that day Pope John Paul II. The 27-years long pontificate of John Paul II went down significantly not only in the history of the Church, but the entire world. Only three years later, also on October 16, 1981, John Paul II himself established the “John Paul II Foundation”, which works to this day, spreading his teaching around the world. So, October 16 is a double occasion for solemn celebrations.
Due to such important ceremonies, the John Paul II Foundation organized a Holy Mass at the altar of John Paul II in the Basilica of St. Peter, under the leadership of His Eminence Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko, Chairman of the Administrative Council of the John Paul II Foundation, who at the end of his homily addressed priests and the faithful, who attended the Mass in large number, with the following words: “In a special way today, we would like to hear again his words: Do not be afraid which touched our hears on the St. Peter’s Square, on the day of his inauguration. We would like him to remind us that in this world where evil seems to be stronger than good, falsehood than truth, the last word belongs to Christ, the only Redeemer of man …
Saint John Paul II, who is guiding us on the paths of faith in this difficult time, pray for us! … “
Here is the full text of the homily: 1. The 100th anniversary of St. John Paul II birth spontaneously transfers our thoughts to his hometown of Wadowice, where – as he said himself – everything began: the life began, and school began, and theater began, great friendships that lasted the entire life of the future Pope. The vocation also began. From the very beginning, the Lord guided Karol Wojtyła through a difficult and demanding path. He lost his mother at the age of 9. Then, his older brother (26 years old) Edmund – an extremely talented young doctor died of an infectious disease in a hospital in Bielsko Biała. During the war, his beloved father died in Kraków in 1941. At the age of 21, Karol was left alone in the world … Karol Wojtyła first studied Polish literature; however, he chose a priestly vocation and studied at the secret seminary in Cracow run by Archbishop Sapieha. Karol Wojtyła was ordained in 1946. Then, he studied in Rome, returned to the diocese at the parish in Niegowić, work on the thesis for the doctorate degree and conducted pastoral ministry of students at the parish of St. Florian in Krakow. In 1958, when he was only 38 years old, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop and in 1964 he became Archbishop of Krakow at the age of 44. He participates very actively in all sessions of the Second Vatican Council (Constitution Gaudium et Spes!). During the conclave on October 16, 1978 he was elected the Successor of St. Peter and took the name of John Paul II – a Pope from a distant country, the first Slavic Pope. The 27 years of his pontificate (one of the longest pontificates in the history of the papacy) left a deep mark on the life of the Church, the world, and Poland. This is telegraphic summary of the extremely rich life of St. John Paul II. On April 2, 2005, his return to the Father’s Home filled our hearts with so much pain. And, it filled us with joy at the beatification in 2011 (Pope Benedict XVI) and canonization in 2014 (Pope Francis). On May 7 of this year in Wadowice Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski officially opened the beatification process of both parents of John Paul II: Emilia née Kaczorowska and Karol Wojtyła. 2. Let’s now take a closer look at this extremely fascinating person. St. John Paul II is, above all, a man of steadfast faith. Homo Dei – God’s man! A man of great prayer and contemplation, completely immersed in God. When he prayed, he moved completely into another, God’s dimension. And it was felt! Many people were converted by seeing him immersed in prayer. Yes, John Paul II is a man of great prayer, but also a man of great actions. A tireless pilgrim of the Gospel who has traveled the length and breadth of all continents. “Open the door to Christ! Do not be afraid! Christ knows what is in a person. Only He knows it.” It was the basic program of his pontificate. He did not spare himself! He devoted himself to God and to all people. He made 104 apostolic journeys to 138 countries around the world. He delivered around 3,000 speeches. Many millions of people have had the opportunity to meet Him personally and hear His words spoken in their own language. He was the author of 14 encyclicals and 14 post-synodal exhortations. He himself convened 15 Synods of Bishops. John Paul II is a good Samaritan who bent lovingly over the wounds of modern mankind. He became the voice of those who do not have a voice. He argued for the right to dignity and freedom of those who were deprived of these rights. He wanted Europe to be able to breathe with both lungs – in the West and in the East … John Paul II was a true prophet of our times: he courageously pleaded for respect for fundamental human rights, but also – and above all – for God’s laws in the world. Like every prophet, he was inconvenient for many as he was not afraid to proclaim the truth. He paid a high price for it when, in 1981, an assassination bullet reached him on St. Peter’s Square. John Paul II is the Pope who introduced the Church into the third millennium of the Christian era. The Pope of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000.John Paul II is a witness of the Cross of Christ in the world which rejects the Cross. The Pope marked with the cross of suffering, disease and, finally, old age, which he was not ashamed of and did not hide, living with dignity before the eyes of the whole world, faithful to his mission to the end. He used to say: “One does not come down from the Cross …” Finally, John Paul II is a great apostle of Divine Mercy. The proclamation of God rich in mercy was the guiding principle of his entire pontificate. And, it was no accident that he returned to the Father’s Home on the eve of the Divine Mercy, in 2005. It is him, who in the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in 2002 entrusted the world to God’s Mercy. Today, in the context of raging pandemic in the world these words have a special meaning. He taught us that in times of historical experiences, God’s mercy is the only and final source of hope for man. There is a trusting cry for God’s Mercy! …
Today, on October 16 – on the 42nd anniversary of the election of John Paul II as Peter’s Successor and in the year of the 100th anniversary of his birth – we realize once again how John Paul II is a great a gift for us – a gift for these difficult times. A gift and a task at the same time! He constantly touches and awakens our consciences. We are his great debtors. And, we ask: how we can pay off the great debt we owe to him. The answer is simple: in the times of total confusion in which we live, we need to be even more responsible and attentive to his voice and his teachings. We must learn from him unwavering courage in proclaiming and defending the truth of the Gospel when so many hostile forces oppose it. But, in a special way today, we would like again hear from him: “Do not be afraid! …”, by which he touched our hears on the St. Peter’s Square on the inauguration day of his pontificate in 1978. We want him to remind us that in this world where evil seems to be stronger than good, falsehood than truth, the last word will belong to Christ, man’s only Redeemer.Saint John Paul II, guide on the paths of faith in our difficult times, pray for us!
