The initial phase of the Church's scrutiny of John Paul the Great's life in the process of his cannonization has concluded. The first phase was completed April 2nd. His Holiness, Benedict XVI stated of his former shepherd,
Especially with the slow but relentless progression ofhis illness, which little by little stripped him of everythinkg, he made himself an offereing to Christ, a living proclamation of HIS passion, in a hope filled with faith in the resurrection. Like his divine Master, he lived his agaony in prayer. He died praying. Truly he fell asleep in the Lord.
Agony, and the Christian example with which that agony is carried, is a critical aspect of the Church's scrutiny of a candidate's life. One should note that the Koine Greek term for saint is Αγιος the word from which English derives "agony."
Those who know me know my thoughts on JPII, even so I would like to know your thoughts and perhaps some memories. What, in your opinions, were his most significant moments?
Dona nobis pacem
1 comment:
JPII was always a personality that I respected, while growing up. As a Protestant, I didn't feel a fidelity to him, that others might've. Still, he was a man that a child could look to with admiration.
The memories that are most vivid of him...for me...are the day he was shot and his return to Poland. Both informed my opinion of him...but also helped form a burgeoning world view.
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