Pope John Paul II

[MuffyBee]

Pope John Paul II

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Blog/2203/report_a_miracle_confirmed_for_john_paul_iis_canonization_process.aspx#.UXfl4r4o7IU

Report: A miracle confirmed for John Paul II’s canonization process
April 22, 2013 09:08 EST

Leading Vaticanista Andrea Tornielli reports today that the Vatican’s medical experts have approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed John Paul II, a major step forward for his cause for canonization.

Tornielli reports for La Stampa’s Vatican Insider:

It all happened in great secrecy, with maximum confidentiality. In January, the postulator of the cause, Mgr. Slawomir Oder, submitted a presumed miraculous healing to the Vatican Congregation for the Saints for a preliminary opinion. As it is known, after the approval of a miracle for the proclamation of a blessed, the canonical procedures include the recognition of a second miracle that must have occurred after the beatification ceremony.

Two doctors of the Vatican council had previously examined this new case, and both gave a favourable opinion. The dossier with the medical records and the testimonies was then officially presented to the Congregation, which immediately included the examination in its agenda. In the past few days it was discussed by a committee of seven doctors, the council (presided over by Dr. Patrick Polisca, Pope John Paul II's cardiologist), Pope Benedict XVI's personal physicians and now Pope Francis's. The medical council also gave a favourable opinion, the first official go-ahead by the Vatican, by defining as inexplicable the healing attributed to the intercession of the blessed Karol Wojtyla.
 ::snipping2::

 

[grace-land]

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/wojtyla-wojtyla-wojtyla-24259/

04/22/2013
The Vatican doctors approve the miracle to make Wojtyla a saint

The medical council has recognized one healing as inexplicable If the theologians' OK were to arrive, John Paul would become a Saint only eight years after his death
Andrea Tornielli
Vatican City

 ::snipping2::
This is the overcoming of the first fundamental hurdle, given that the alleged miracle must now be approved by theologians and then by the cardinals and bishops of the Congregation, before being subjected to the Pope for the definitive "yes". In any case, the approval of the council is considered the most important step; in fact, neither the theologians nor the cardinals are involved in the clinical evaluations concerning the case.

From the steps taken, the desire of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to work quickly is evident, as it had already happened for the beatification of Pope John Paul II, celebrated by his successor Benedict XVI the 1st of May, 2011. This fast lane that continues to be open for Wojtyla indicates that even Pope Francis is in favour of the canonisation of the Polish Pope.

It is still premature to talk about dates for the canonization, but the rapidity with which the examination of the miracle process is happening still leaves open the possibility of celebrating it on Sunday October 20th, very close to the liturgical holiday assigned to the blessed Wojtyla, which is on October 22nd.

[grace-land]

http://www.catholic.org/hf/faith/story.php?id=50637

Pope John Paul II could be recognized as a saint in record time
4/23/2013

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - It's been officially recognized: the Vatican's medical experts have approved a second miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed John Paul II, a major step forward for his cause for canonization. Confirmed in high secrecy with the utmost confidentiality, a French nun's remarkable recovery from Parkinson's disease has been accepted by doctors as the first miracle attributable to the late pope.

According to information that has now been made public, Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, 48, said that in 2005, just following the passing of Pope John Paul II, she asked her sisters to pray on her behalf. She said she wrote the pope's name on a piece of paper and when she awoke the next morning, she was cured.

The vetting process was secret, but what we now know is that in January, Mgr. Slawomir Oder submitted a second case of miraculous healing to the Vatican. The Congregation of the Saints investigated.

Doctors from the Vatican gave a favorable first opinion and follow-up work revealed the healing to show every sign of being miraculous. There was no medical explanation and no medical intervention that could have caused the healing. the woman who received the healing hasn't yet been named.
 ::snipping2::

[grace-land]

For our Texas "guests" and monkeys...

http://amarillo.com/lifestyle/faith/2013-04-26/mike-haynes-exhibit-about-pope-john-paul-ii-worth-trip-lubbock

Mike Haynes: Exhibit about Pope John Paul II worth trip to Lubbock
Posted: April 26, 2013 - 10:38pm

No, we didn’t drive to Lubbock to see it. Kathy and I were in the Hub City for a rock concert and a leisurely weekend.

With time to kill on a Saturday afternoon, we ventured west from the Texas Tech campus, down Fourth Street to the Catholic Renewal Center.

We had been to the Buddy Holly Center and the Texas Tech Museum before, so an exhibit that had been open just a day sounded appealing.

My wife and I aren’t Catholic, but you don’t have to be one to appreciate this traveling display about the life of Pope John Paul II, who lived from 1920 to 2005 and was pope from 1978 to his death. All it takes is an interest in Christianity, history or current events. Or maybe, like me, you’d just like to see one of those tall, ornamented “pope hats” up close.

The exhibit is called “I Have Come To You Again,” and it’s in our neighboring city through May 31.
 ::snipping2::
Paul has been credited with strong political influence, including contributions to the end of the Soviet Union, and the tour includes photographs and documentation of the 1980s era in which he, Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher pushed for freedom in Eastern Europe and elsewhere.

Former President George W. Bush loaned a piece of the Berlin Wall for the exhibit, and I was surprised to learn that Reagan’s famous declaration to the Russians to “tear down this wall” had been suggested to the president by John Paul II.

Amid many photographic and artistic portraits of the pope is a section devoted to the 1981 incident when a Turkish gunman shot him four times in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Diagrams reminiscent of the Kennedy “magic bullet” theory show how a projectile made a dramatic turn away from John Paul’s heart.

When the pope later visited his attacker in prison to forgive him, the man asked, “Why aren’t you dead?” John Paul replied that the shooter’s hand had shot the bullet but that “it was a mother’s hand that guided the bullet’s path,” giving credit to the Virgin Mary.

We remember the kindly face of Pope John Paul II and the constant trips he made to 129 countries. The closest he came to the Texas Panhandle were his visits to San Antonio in 1987 and Denver in 1993, but he was familiar to most of us, Protestant, Catholic or otherwise.

His faith still can inspire.

[grace-land]

http://www.gastongazette.com/news/local/today-in-history-pope-john-paul-ii-shot-1.142095

Today in history - Pope John Paul II shot
By  The Associated Press
Published: Monday, May 13, 2013 at 06:49 AM.

 
In 1981, Pope John Paul II was shot and seriously wounded in St. Peter's Square by Turkish assailant Mehmet Ali Agca (MEH'-met AH'-lee AH'-juh).
 

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http://www.theotokos.org.uk/pages/cathnews/fatima/popesecr.html

Pope Reveals Third Fatima Secret - MAY. 13, 2000

FATIMA, Portugal (CWNews.com) -- Pope John Paul II has made public the famous "third secret" of Fatima.

The secret involves a vision of an assassination attempt on a Pope-- a vision that matches the attempted killing of Pope John Paul II himself on May 13,1981.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/former-pope-john-paul-ii-close-to-being-declared-a-saint-8665688.html

Former pope, John Paul II, close to being declared a saint
Milan  Wednesday 19 June 2013

The inexplicable recovery of a Costa Rican woman who had severe brain damage could be the second miracle that will ensure that the former pope, John Paul II, is declared a saint. The Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints announced that it had verified a second miracle by the late Polish pontiff that “would cause amazement”.
 
Il Giornale newspaper quoted Vatican sources as saying the event in question is the woman’s recovery. Further details of the alleged second miracle have not been released. It was claimed however, that the event represented a “double miracle” because in addition to the woman being cured, the wavering faith of the family was restored.

The apparent miracle took place on 1 May 2011, the day of John Paul’s beatification – the penultimate step before sainthood, for which another miracle is also required.
 
Following the approval of the second miracle by the board of theologians, the next step in John Paul’s canonisation process will be verification by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints’ commission of cardinals and bishops, which is due to meet in the coming weeks. If they verify the miracle, it’s then up to Pope Francis to sign the canonisation decree and establish the date for the ceremony in St Peter’s Square, which is expected to be 20 October. This would fall close to the 35th anniversary of John Paul II’s election as pope.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=18329

Miracle approved, canonization looms for John Paul II
July 02, 2013

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints has approved a 2nd miracle attributed to the influence of Blessed John Paul II, according to multiple reports in the Italian news media.

The Congregation also reportedly approved a 2nd miracle attributed to the influence of Blessed John XXIII.

If the reports are accurate, and Pope Francis adds his approval, both former Pontiffs could be canonized before the end of this year.

The prelates who compose the Congregation met on July 2, with a miracle attributed to Pope John Paul II reportedly on their agenda. The miracle had already been examined and tentatively approved by two panels of experts: one composed of doctors, the other of theologians. The prelates reportedly voted their final approval for the miracle.

The meeting’s agenda also reportedly included consideration of a miracle attributed to Blessed John XXIII. That miracle, too, was approved, sources said.

The Vatican has not announced the results of the July 2 meeting. The Congregation’s votes are technically secret, and do not officially take effect until the Pope authorizes the release of a decree. Cardinal Angelo Amato, the prefect of the Congregation, will meet with Pope Francis to present the vote for papal approval sometime in the near future.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.latintimes.com/articles/5895/20130702/pope-john-paul-ii-approved-vatican-sainthood.htm

Pope John Paul II Approved By Vatican For Sainthood; Pope Francis Must Sign Decree
Jul 02, 2013 02:38 PM EDT

 
In order to become a saint the candidate must go through a lengthy process before the official decree is placed before the Pope.

First a candidate for sainthood has to have been dead for five years. Pope John Paul II bypassed that rule when Mother Theresa was nominated for sainthood. After the nomination, an investigation into the life of the candidate is launched. Following the Vatican's approval there must be a recognized and recorded miracle that cannot be explained away. This is known as Beatification.

During the process of Beatification catholiceducation.org says "A martyr may be beatified and declared blessed by virtue of martyrdom itself. Otherwise, the candidate must be credited with a miracle. In verifying the miracle the church looks at whether God truly performed a miracle and whether the miracle was in response to the intercession of the candidate saint."

Following Beatification, the candidate saint must be associated with a second miracle before the man or woman can be approved and canonized by the Pope.

In the case of Pope John Paul II, the Vatican recognizes two miracles relating to the healing of two women, one in 2005 the other in 2011.
 

[grace-land]

 

http://saltandlighttv.org/blog/category/fr-thomas-rosica

What did we learn from World Youth Day?
August 1, 2013 by salt and light



Thursday afternoon at the Vivo Rio English Welcome Centre, Fr. Thomas Rosica took some time away from managing the amazing live coverage of WYD by Salt + Light TV to say Mass for the Canadians gathered there. Nearing the end, he shared a quick story of his time after World Youth Day Toronto in 2002, where he was a key organizer.

In November of 2002, then-Pope John Paul II invited him and a few others to lunch. The Pope turned to Fr. Rosica at one point and asked him, “What did you learn from WYD?” After uttering an internal “Mama Mia!”, he responded to the man whom he loved and greatly respected:

“Holy Father, I thought before WYD that I was Catholic, but I really wasn’t. I became Catholic through the whole WYD experience. Because Catholic means a universal heart and a universal vision.”

Then, the Pope took Fr. Rosica’s hand and said “Bravo. You learned the most important lesson.”

Fr. Rosica then turned the tables on the Pope, who had created WYD, and asked “Why did you start this whole thing?”

The Pope smiled warmly and said, “I started it because I saw them so much alone. And I wanted them to know that they are not alone.”

“When we come to WYD as Pilgrims, we come from our parishes and our small groups,” Fr. Tom continued, to a rapt audience in Rio. “But then we come here and we see the flags and the millions of people and we can say ‘I am not alone.’”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=19386

35th anniversary of election of John Paul II
October 16, 2013

Marking the 35th anniversary of the election of Pope John Paul II, Pope Francis told his October 16 public audience: “I entrust all present, and your loved ones, to the heavenly intercession of Blessed John Paul II, on the 35th anniversary of his election to the Chair of St. Peter.”
 

[grace-land]

Video at the link

http://www.romereports.com/palio/october-22nd-last-celebration-of-john-paul-ii-as-a-blessed-english-11401.html#.Umaymr4o7IU

October 22nd: Last celebration of John Paul II, as a Blessed
2013-10-21 18:47:16



 
At the end of September, Pope Francis announced that John Paul II will be canonized on April 27th. The miracle that gave way to his canonization took place in Costa Rica, the same day he was beatified. Since his beatification, a celebration is held every October 22nd to mark his life and his deeds.

The date coincides with the inaugural Mass at the very start of his pontificate. This October will be the last time John Paul II is celebrated as a Blessed, since by that time next year, he will be a Saint of the Catholic Church.

[grace-land]

  

Video at the link

http://www.smh.com.au/world/thieves-steal-pope-john-paul-iis-blood-20140128-hva4f.html
Thieves steal Pope John Paul II's blood
Date  January 28, 2014 - 6:23AM


The container of Pope John Paul II's blood, stolen from a church in Italy. Photo: AFP

Rome: Thieves broke into a small church in the mountains east of Rome over the weekend and stole a reliquary with the blood of the late Pope John Paul II, a custodian said.

Dozens of police with sniffer dogs scoured the remote area for clues to what the Italian Catholic magazine Famiglia Cristiana called "a sacrilegious theft that was probably commissioned by someone".

Franca Corrieri told Reuters she had discovered a broken window early on Sunday morning and had called the police. When they entered the small stone church they found the gold reliquary and a crucifix missing.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25911872

27 January 2014 Last updated at 07:58 ET
Pope John Paul ll relic stolen from chapel in Italy

Italian police are hunting for a stolen holy relic that contains the blood of Pope John Paul ll.

It appears to have been taken during the burglary of a small chapel that was a place of special significance to the late Pope.

The church of San Pietro della Ienca lies in an isolated spot in the mountains of central Abruzzo region.

Over the weekend, thieves broke some protective iron bars and forced their way in through a window.

They left the collection box, but took a crucifix and the priceless relic, which contains a piece of gauze once soaked in the blood of the late Pope - one of only three such relics in the world.

[Sister]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25911872

27 January 2014 Last updated at 07:58 ET
Pope John Paul ll relic stolen from chapel in Italy

Italian police are hunting for a stolen holy relic that contains the blood of Pope John Paul ll.

It appears to have been taken during the burglary of a small chapel that was a place of special significance to the late Pope.

The church of San Pietro della Ienca lies in an isolated spot in the mountains of central Abruzzo region.

Over the weekend, thieves broke some protective iron bars and forced their way in through a window.

They left the collection box, but took a crucifix and the priceless relic, which contains a piece of gauze once soaked in the blood of the late Pope - one of only three such relics in the world.

I say again, there is nothing sacred anymore . . . so sad!

[grace-land]

http://www.christianpost.com/news/catholic-leader-pleads-with-thieves-to-return-pope-john-paul-ii-blood-relic-113568/

Catholic Leader Pleads With Thieves to Return Pope John Paul II Blood Relic
January 29, 2014|12:39 pm

Thieves who stole a reliquary containing blood from Pope John Paul II are being asked by an Italian Roman Catholic Church official to return the item.

Archbishop Giuseppe Petrocchi of L'Aquila stated in a letter sent out earlier this week asking whoever was responsible for stealing the gold container with blood to "give it back."

"I appeal to those who carried out this deplorable act…Give it back," said Petrocchi, reported Reuters
 
The reliquary containing the deceased Pontiff's blood likely derived from a garment of clothing Pope John Paul II was wearing in 1981 when he narrowly survived an attempted assassination.
 
"Italian authorities said they believe the theft was commissioned, as thieves stole only the relic and left many other valuables behind at the church," reported ABC News.

"Only three of John Paul II's relics contain his blood and they are all considered of great religious value."

Italian police and others have speculated that the relic may have been stolen by a group intent on using it for a Satanic ritual.

"It's possible that there could be Satanic sects behind the theft of the reliquary," said Giovanni Panunzio, the national coordinator of Osservatorio Antiplagio, an anti-Occult group. "This period of the year is important in the Satanic calendar and culminates in the Satanic 'new year' on Feb 1. This sort of sacrilege often take place at this time of the year. We hope that the stolen items are recovered as quickly as possible."
 

[grace-land]

Sad...so senseless...what were they thinking or hope to accomplish?   

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-31/case-containing-stolen-pope27s-blood-found/5229416

Case containing stolen blood of Pope John Paul II found, but cloth relic still missing
Posted 38 minutes ago

Police have recovered a stolen gold and glass case that once contained the blood of the late Pope John Paul II, only to find the cloth stained with the blood itself was missing.

Pasquale Corriere, head of the association that looks after the small church in the mountains east of Rome from which the reliquary was stolen, said two men had been detained by police in the regional capital, L'Aquila.

The men took the police to the site where they had dumped the reliquary, but the cloth stained with the blood of the Pope, who died in 2005, was no longer inside, he said.

He said police were interrogating the men, who they believed to be drug addicts, and searching their apartment.

A small crucifix stolen along with the reliquary from the church of San Pietro della Ienca last weekend was also recovered.

The blood-soaked cloth was a fragment of the cassock that John Paul was wearing on May 13, 1981, when he was shot in an assassination attempt.

Relics of saints and other holy figures are often displayed in reliquaries to be venerated by the Catholic faithful.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20140130.htm#head8

NEWS BRIEFS Jan-30-2014

 
Thieves confess, but relic of Blessed John Paul II still missing

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Less than a week after a relic of Blessed John Paul II disappeared from a country chapel east of Rome, Italian police arrested two men for the theft, but the venerated piece of fabric stained with the late pope's blood was still missing. Italian media reported Jan. 30 that police had found an empty iron reliquary, along with a stolen cross, buried on the grounds of a drug treatment facility in the city of L'Aquila, about 75 miles east of Rome. Two men in their early 20s, who were being questioned in connection with another crime, confessed they had stolen the objects and then revealed their location to police. But the men said they had discarded the relic itself -- reportedly a piece of the clothing Blessed John Paul was wearing when he was shot May 13, 1981 -- by throwing it into some bushes near the facility. Members of Italy's specialized scientific police were searching the grounds. The relic and the cross were first reported missing from the church of San Pietro della Ienca over the weekend of Jan. 25-26. The church, where Blessed John Paul often prayed, is located 13 miles north of L'Aquila, in the mountainous Abruzzo region where the late pope frequently went on brief vacations.
 

[Sister]

"threw it away"
good grief!

[grace-land]

"threw it away"
good grief!

Maybe they weren't Catholic and didn't know it was a holy relic.