These are perhaps the most common words Pope John Paul II repeated over and over again around the world, encouraging people to not fear and to entrust their lives totally to Christ. “J – P – 2, we love you; J – P – 2, we love you!” These are the words that enthusiastic crowds of young people chanted over and over again back to their beloved Pope. The youth shouted this with sincere joy, because they recognized in this old man a genuine model of total fidelity and hope in God.
This year marks the 10 year anniversary of the passing of John Paul II. Last year on April 27, 2014, Catholic faithful around the world celebrated the canonization of Saint John Paul II (JPII), as his example of faith was elevated to sainthood. Here in Awassa, Catholics were very excited for the canonization day, especially the youth. We watched the television coverage with some university student friends. Because it was too hot inside, they moved the TV out into their yard under the shade of a big tree. For most of us, JPII was pope for most of our lives, which is why he is so special. Indeed he had one of the most dramatic, longest and public of all pontificates. He was the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church but was also renowned as an ambassador of hope and peace by politicians, other religious leaders and common people all around the world. Here are some highlights of his grand papacy:
- JPII was by far the most widely travelled pope, visiting 129 countries on 104 international trips, meeting with over 1,600 world political leaders – truly he was bringing the Gospel to “every nation and tribe and language and people” (Rev 14:6).
- JPII wanted to give the modern world credible models of faith and therefore, he beatified 1,338 and canonized 482 saints, far more than other pope in history.
- JPII was a prolific author – his writings include 14 encyclicals, 14 apostolic exhortations, 3,288 speeches and 5 books. He had a distinctive writing style that was dense in character yet flowed freely. He examined topics from several different angles (not only theological), because if the Church’s teachings were to be deeply understood they had to be validated by our practical experiences of life.
- JPII loved youth and initiated the World Youth Days to gather the international catholic youth. Indeed he was the champion of youth.
- JPII was always teaching on the meaning and value of man, repeating often a key sentence from the Second Vatican II document Gaudium et Spes which he helped draft: “Christ fully reveals man to himself and makes his supreme calling clear” (par. 22). Jesus shows us precisely the model of how to live an abundant life of love.
- JPII has been described as the “most Marian pope”. In fact, his papal motto was “Totus tuus” meaning Totally Yours (Mary). JPII expanded the understanding of Mary playing a unique role in the plan of salvation, perfectly embracing the will of the Holy Spirit and being the spiritual Mother of all of us by always helping us draw closer to her son, the Savior.
- JPII pioneered the “Theology of the Body” teachings, explaining that a natural moral law has been written by God into the sexuality of man and woman that directs us towards true love.
- JPII fervently promoted the “culture of life” and strongly defended the dignity of life in all its stages (from conception until natural death), a teaching he exemplified by accepting gracefully the challenges of old age and illness in his final years.
JPII always encouraged people to become saints. T-shirts were spotted in the throng at the canonization with the words: “Be not afraid to become a saint”. He did not mean that everyone should endeavor to be officially acknowledged as saints in the Church, but rather that God holds out the invitation to each one of us to mold us into other Christs, despite our imperfections and faults. In other words, each one of us has the capacity to be holy, to become a saint. Only two things are needed: our free decision to cooperate in this transformation by continually striving to live according to the Truth; and the undeserved gift of God’s grace. Well, JPII, you’ve given us a good example!
On Easter Sunday, March 27, 2005, six days before his death, JPII blessed the faithful with his final public words. Well, 10 years later these words are still valid and inspiring:
“We, the men and women of the third millennium, we too need you, Risen Lord! Stay with us now and until the end of time…Sustain us, we pray, on our journey. In you do we believe, in you do we hope, for you alone have the words of everlasting life. Alleluia!”
– Mark & Maggie Banga
Comboni Lay Missionaries serving in Awassa, Ethiopia
