Category: Pope John Paul II

Agostino Vallini: John Paul II kept his gaze fixed on Christ


Agostino Vallini.JPG

Cardinal
Agostino Vallini, 70, Pope’s vicar of Rome gave the following talk at tonight’s
Vigil at the Circus Maximus in advance of Pope John Paul II’s tomorrow’s beatification.

Divine
Providence gives us this evening the joy of a great experience of grace and
light. With this Marian prayer vigil we hope to prepare ourselves for
tomorrow’s celebration, the solemn beatification of the Venerable Servant of
God John Paul II. Even though it has been six years since the death of the
great Pope–Bishop of Rome and Pastor of the universal Church for 27 years–his
memory is particularly vibrant. We feel veneration, affection, admiration, and
deep gratitude for the beloved pontiff.

Continue reading Agostino Vallini: John Paul II kept his gaze fixed on Christ

Revelation: at Papal Conclave cardinals asked for John Paul to be beatified

JP II funeral 2005.jpgJust days ahead of Pope John Paul II’s beatification on May 1st –the first time in 11 centuries that a successor beatifies his predecessor– the former vicar for Rome, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, speaks about the letter he received as the conclave was about to open that was to elect Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedixt XVI, by which several cardinals asked for John Paul’s beatification. Read the La Stampa story…

John Paul’s blood to be presented as a relic at May 1st Mass

Blood drawn from Pope John Paul II prior to his death and saved in case there was need of a transfusion at a local hospital, will be presented to Pope Benedict XVI at the May 1st Mass at which John Paul will be declared a “blessed.” The blood relic will be kept with other relics at the Apostolic Household. Read the entire story here.

JPII Generation says thanks to their hero

Headline Bistro3.jpgHeadline Bistro is collecting testimony on the ways in which Pope John Paul II has been influential in our lives. The so-called “JPII Generation” is a powerfully impacted by the life, ministry and teaching of this giant of Catholicism.

If you can form your response tightly, the Headline Bistro folks are looking for 500 words on  why you are thankful to Pope John Paul II.
Pope John Paul II will be beatified on 1 May 2011.

John Paul II’s coffin to be viewed

Burying John Paul II.jpgThe Holy See is allowing the coffin of Pope John Paul II to be viewed following the May 1st beatification ceremony which will be celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI. 

After the viewing the papal body will repose in the Chapel of San Lorenzo in the Basilica of Saint Peter.

The video story is here.
The Vicariate of Rome website for Pope John Paul’s beatification ceremony

Beatification ceremonies for John Paul II are FREE

The Prefecture of the Papal Household, having been
informed of the existence of unauthorised offers by some Tour Operators,
especially on internet, of assistance in procuring tickets, with a service
charge, for General Audiences and Papal ceremonies, particularly for the
Beatification of the Servant of God John Paul II on Sunday, May 1, wishes to
make it clear that:


1) For the Beatification Mass of Pope John Paul II, as made
clear from the outset, no tickets are required.

2) The tickets provided by the
Prefecture of the Papal Household for General Audiences and Papal ceremonies
are always issued FREE of charge and no person or organization can request any
kind of payment.

Communion & Liberation welcomes the beatification of John Paul

Don Julián Carrón.jpgFather Julián Carrón, President of the ecclesial
movement Communion and Liberation indicated the Movement’s plans to participate
in the beatification of Pope John Paul II on May 1. Father Carrón’s remarks showed gratitude for the Pontiff’s
legacy.


According to Father Carrón the Movement plans to “make the pilgrimage to Rome to join the Pope and
the Church in thanking God who has given us such an authentic witness of
Christ.” Father Carrón says that “We want to gather closely around
Benedict XVI, who in his farsightedness has decided to indicate Blessed John
Paul II to the whole world as an example of what Christ can make of a man who
allows himself to be grasped by him.”

Speaking for the heart and soul of
Communion and Liberation Father Carrón said, “If someone has an enormous debt
of gratitude towards John Paul II, we are the ones.”

I invite you to read the full text of Father Julián Carrón’s letter to the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation: Fr Carron on the beatification of Pope John Paul II.pdf

John Paul II moves Blessed Pope Innocent XI to another resting place

Innocent XI.jpgWorkers at Saint Peter’s Basilica have begun their work to move the body of the soon to be beatified Pope John Paul II from the grottoes to the main basilica. He’ll be moved to the Chapel of Saint Sebastian where currently Blessed Pope Innocent XI (seen left) is resting (he was beatified by Pope Pius XII on 7 Oct 1956). I guess we’re tired of the silver faced Innocent of the 17th century in favor of John Paul II, Pontiff.

John Paul will, in fact, be among a number of other holy people to take up residence in this spot. Apparently in this area, Pope Saint Boniface IV was there as well as the relics of the martyrs: Saints Victor, Candidus and Laureatus, but they have since moved on.

The Chapel of Saint Sebastian, on the right side of the basilica as you walk in, and right before the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, is dedicated to the 3rd century martyr. Sebastian was murdered at the time of the Diocletian for confessing faith in Jesus Christ as  Savior. Sebastian was first shot through with arrows, nursed to health and then later beaten to death. The chapel was completed by Pier Paolo Cristofari based on a design of Domenico Zampieri.
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