His Word Today: Saint John Paul II

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint John Paul II.  Karol Josef Wojtyła was born in Wadowice (Poland) on 18 May 1920.  He was the youngest of three children.  His elder sister Olga died before he was born and his brother Edmund (to whom he was very close) died while Karol was still very young.  Since his mother had died in childbirth when Karol was 8 years old, he grew up with his father as his sole provider.

Following the death of his father (in 1941), Karol began thinking seriously about priesthood.  He completed his studies in the seminary in Krakow and was ordained a priest on All Saints Day (1 November 1946).  He continued his studies in Rome and eventually defended a Doctoral thesis in Philosophy on 19 June 1948.

Throughout his priesthood, Karol Wojtyła always maintained a special fondness for young people.  Students regularly joined him for hiking, skiing, bicycling, camping and kayaking which were always accompanied by prayer, outdoor Masses and theological discussions.  On 4 July 1958, he was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow and later attended the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) where he contributed to two of the most historic documents: the Decree on Religious Freedom and the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World.  On 13 January 1964, he was appointed as Archbishop of Krakow.

In August 1978, Cardinal Wojtyła participated in the conclave which elected Pope John Paul I, and only 33 days later, upon the death of Papa Luciani, Wojtyła returned to Rome to participate in the second conclave of 1978 - the one which would ultimately see him elected as Pontiff.  He took the name John Paul II and served for the next 27 years as Bishop of Rome.

Throughout his pontificate, John Paul II travelled widely - visiting all continents of the world - and was highly respected for his teachings and for his unending devotion to sharing faith with young people.  His respect for human life and devotion to building relationships with other religions and with people from all walks of life made him exceptionally respected and loved.

He died in the papal apartments in Rome on 2 April 2005.  On 1 May 2011, his immediate successor Pope Benedict XVI Beatified John Paul II, and on 27 April 2014, Pope Francis celebrated the Mass during which John Paul II was canonized.  Saint John Paul II is one of the patron saints of the World Youth Day gatherings and the patron saint of the World Meetings of Families.

Have a great day.