Sunday, September 25, is the last day of the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the John Paul II Foundation. As in previous days, today started very early in the morning, but no one complained about it. After all, a solemn Holy Mass was awaiting us in St. Peter’s Basilica. Coach’s buses took us to the Vatican. The sun has just brightened the sky as we entered the St. Peter’s Square. Every time I am in this place, Bernini’s colonnade makes an amazing impression on me. When I came here for the first time a dozen or so years ago, it seemed to me that he embraced me with his arms and invited me to the interior of the St. Peter’s Basilica. Today, I also got this impression. The passage through the security gates went very smoothly and quickly. We passed by the Bronze Gate, at which the Swiss Guard are standing in beautiful colorful uniforms. We entered the interior of the Basilica. Although it was still very early in the morning, Holy Masses were celebrated at the side altars for larger or smaller groups of pilgrims. We headed to the main altar, Bernini’s masterpiece, which is dominated by a white pigeon – a symbol of the Holy Spirit from which departs twelve rays in amber color, signifying the twelve apostles. I think that for everyone it is a place where you can find inner peace; where you can immerse yourself in prayer by breaking away from everyday life and living the Holy Mass in this place – is an extraordinary experience. During the Liturgy we thanked God for forty years of the Foundation’s existence, for all the good fruits it has produced over the years. The main celebrant, Cardinal Dziwisz, emphasized during the homily that “We are aware that in this extraordinary church rest the mortal remains of the holy Pope John Paul II, the Patron of the Foundation bearing his name for forty years, who introduced the universal Church into the third millennium of the Christian faith. And, although seventeen years have passed since his departure to the Father’s house, he still speaks to the minds and hearts of millions of the faithful on all continents. He speaks with a word and an example of life and service. Ht speaks with the holiness to which we are all called. (…) Today, we thank God for the providential decision that was taken years ago to create the Papal Foundation. It produced a lot of good and multiple fruits. The Foundation has made and continues to contribute to the preservation and transmission of the legacy of John Paul II’s teaching and style of service.”
It was an extremely solemn Holy Mass. Around the altar gathered forty priests, including Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko and four bishops. The John Paul II Warsaw Papal Choir and the singing of soloists, Mrs. Ewa Biegas – mezzo-soprano and Fr. Rafał Kobyliński SJ – tenor, graced the Liturgy.
After the Eucharist we went to the chapel of St. Sebastian, where at the altar with the relics of St. John Paul II we stayed for individual prayer. We asked for the intercession of St. John Paul II from on high. I am sure that not only me, but certainly each of us was convinced that John Paul II, our Pope, was and is today with us. He looks at us from the height of the window of the Father’s house and certainly, as always, blesses us from the heart. And, he is probably glad that this beautiful work – the Foundation, which he founded forty years ago, we are still continuing, developing and want to take up new challenges and expand the program of its activities.
On September 25th we still had many different events ahead of us, but I will write about it next time.
Elżbieta Noster, the JPII Foundation Chapter from Aulnay sous Bois (France)
