Saint John Paul II

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Saint John Paul II (1920-2005)

by Michael K. Jones Founder of Medjugorje USA and Purgatory Oblation Warrior Prayer Group

Short Bio

Karol Wojtyla (John Paul II) was born in Wadowice, Poland, to father Karol Wojtyla and mother Emilia. He was the youngest of three children. As a child he loved playing soccer and academically learned to speak 12 language, nine of which he used extensively as Pope. He loved theater and performed with theatrical groups also working as a playwright. It was here Karol met the love of his life, a stunning talented and beautiful Jewish actress named Ginka Beer. However, Karol would realize he had a higher calling.

He attended Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland enrolling in 1938. Just several months after enrolling at the university, Nazi German forces assisted by its Soviet Union allies, surrounded Poland. Occupied Poland would leave it in shambles, with Jewish Poles near extinction, also known as the Holocaust. The world would not completely realize the full scope of Hitler's determination to wipe out all Jews till World War II was over. Estimates vary but suggest over 11 million Jews were killed by Hitler's fascist regime. Over 1 million of these were children.

It was during the war in 1942 that Karol showed deep interest in the priesthood. He began courses in the Clandestine underground seminary. The Clandestine underground was one of many forms of hidden education programs lead by the resistance, opposed to the German occupation. The dimensions of Karol Wojtyla's life during Word War ll Holocaust is too vast to include in this article which is designed to only touch base on this period in history. World War II would certainly play a lifetime pivotal role in the actions of Karol Wojtyla before and after his election (1978) as Pope John Paul. Ultimately, John Paul would remain a vocal outspoken opposition again Communist rule.

World War II would end in May of 1945. Karol was ordained on All Saints Day, November 1, 1946, by Krakow's Archbishop Cardinal Sapieha, who was also the hands behind the Clandestine underground. Karol would continue many other studies and hold many positions within the church. He would even later return as a teacher at Jagiellonian University. He was elected by the papal conclave in August 1978 and served 27 years at Pope John Paul II.

John Paul II and Saint Faustina

As Karol began his journey in the priesthood while in Krakow, he heard of a nun claiming visions. Helena Kowalska was from Glogowiec, Poland. As early as the age of seven, Helena heard a voice in her soul calling her to a more perfect way of life. By age 15 she had made known to her parents her desire to enter into the convent. Helena applied for the second time to the "Congregation of The Sister's of Our Lady of Charity" on August 1, 1925. This time she was accepted. She was nearly 20 at the time. After completing her postulancy she received her veil, and on April 30, 1926 she received her habit and her religious name. From now on Helena would bear the name of Sister Mary Faustina.

Sister Faustina began to have a number of religious experiences far from what one might consider the norm. These visions lasted throughout her entire life. From trials of spiritual darkness, to the manifestations of Christ, she was seemingly caught in a battle of good and evil, her soul the arena. Having mentioned these unusual occurrences to her spiritual advisors, ( Rev. M. Sopocko and Fr. J. Andrasz, S.J.) Sister was instructed to keep a diary of these events. Sister also notes in the diary that it was the, "express command of the Lord Jesus, that this diary be written."

During some of these visitations Sister Faustina was instructed by Jesus for a devotional painting which today we call the "Image of Divine Mercy." Sister was also instructed with rosaries prayers known as the "Chaplet of Divine Mercy."

An artist was hired to work with Faustina to paint the image of Mercy. Though Faustina was never really happy with the image, the final painting was considered finished. For a time this devotional was widely accepted. During this time is when Cardinal Karol Wojtyla (John Paul) heard of Sister Faustina and he believed in this attentiveness. Sad to say, the Pope elect at that time did not believe in the Chaplet or the image of Divine Mercy and thus they were removed from all church devotions.

When Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was elected Pope John Paul II, he renewed interest in the Divine Mercy devotionals. With this renewed interest, the diaries of Sister Faustina were published in Polish and later published in English in 1987. To read Sister Faustina's diaries "Divine Mercy In My Soul" is an undertaking. The book original copy totals 697 pages. However, it is the most moving and inspirational books I have ever read. The devotions of Divine Mercy were returned to the church by a humble priest from Poland who believed in the apparitions given a saintly nun, also from Poland. Prior to his death, Pope John Paul stated that he believed his mission in life was to bring Divine Mercy to the world, though the revelations as given to Sister Mary Faustina.

Due to a 50 plus year devotion to Divine Mercy by Pope John Paul, on March 10, 2000 the Vatican announced that Polish nun, Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska would be canonized on Sunday April 30, 2000 (Divine Mercy Sunday.) Sister Faustina was the first saint of the new millennium. The canonization took place as stated at, St. Peter's in Rome. The event also was joyously held at the National Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, MA. USA. Our beloved Pope, John Paul announced during the canonization in Rome that from now on the second Sunday of Easter is declared "The Feast of Divine Mercy Sunday."

On the evening of April 2, 2005 John Paul was near death. The next day was Divine Mercy Sunday. The usual vespers for the preparations of the "Divine Mercy" had started when John Paul passed away at 9:37, Rome time. Without John Paul, the devotion of Divine Mercy would have been lost to the world. It is therefore fitting that he should pass away during the vespers in preparation of Divine Mercy Sunday. Without the Mercy of God what hope is there for this world?

On Divine Mercy Sunday April 27, 2014, the church canonized Karol Wojtyla, as Saint John Paul II.

Other Notes of Interest

The Beatification of Pope John Paul On "Divine Mercy Sunday" May 1, 2011

Many would argue that John Paul was instrumental in the downfall of Communist Russia.

To date John Paul is the most traveled Pope in history.