I’m a convert, so I should come clean from the get go. Before I married my husband and converted to Catholicism, I wasn’t too sure about the Pope. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy—very spiritual and well-grounded—I just wasn’t sure what to make of him.
It wasn’t until I saw him in person that my heart changed—forever.
There are quite probably thousands of accounts of Pope John Paul II’s good works, of his kindness, of his holiness, of his encyclicals, of his commitment to what was right and not what was popular. In the precious moments I was able to be in his presence—twelve in all—I found myself honored to be near someone who had dedicated his entire life evangelizing to the world on its largest stage.
During the 2000 Jubilee Year, my husband and I served as adult chaperones for our parish’s high school youth group pilgrimage. We were young and childless, ready for an adventure. Halfway through our time in Italy, we finally journeyed to Rome and prepared for our first Papal audience. Our group of 30 along with thousands of others crammed (literally) into St. Peter’s Square, anxiously awaiting his arrival. Fortunately, our parish priest scored us tickets so we were fairly close to the front of the crowd. The air was electric as we scanned the crowd for the Popemobile. Then, we spotted him. John Paul II’s face immediately erupted into a wide grin; he had spotted a throng of young people. His effect on them, and vice versa, was profound and noticeable.
Eucharistic Procession, 2000
Later in the pilgrimage, we participated in the annual Eucharistic Procession on the Feast of Corpus Christi. Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass at St. John the Lateran Basilica and then processed down the street to St. Mary Major Basilica. This wasn’t just any procession, though. He was preceded by hundreds of seminarians, priests, sisters and brothers. There was singing, chanting, Papal flag waving and an awesome sense of prayer.
As the procession neared us, we could see him, being driven in the back of a white Ford pickup, kneeling and praying before the Blessed Sacrament. He was deep in prayer. Just as he reached our group, lined up a few feet away, he looked up, opened his eyes and looked at each one of us. “Incredible” barely begins to describe the immediate sense of holiness we all felt.
Indoor Papal Audience, 2002
In 2002, we trekked back to Italy on a similar pilgrimage and this time experienced a Papal audience in the indoor air-conditioned Papal hall (we breathed a sigh of relief as temps were in the high 90s!). Traditionally, the Pope greets pilgrims in various languages. Just as he launched into his English speech, he paused and a young man in the back of the auditorium yelled out, “JPII we love you!” The crowd went nuts.
A month after we returned from Italy, I had the honor of accompanying 600 teens from our diocese at World Youth Day in Toronto. As Pope John Paul II passed by, a hand stretch away from where our group stood, one of the youth next to me exclaimed, “He smiled at me. He looked at me. He waved at me!” I’m fairly certain the Pope smiled the entire time in Toronto. His energy was amazing. This frail man we had just seen weeks earlier in Rome was pounding his chair to the beat of the music. Making jokes. Opening wide his arms and beaming with pride as he spoke these words:
World Youth Day, Toronto, Canada, 2002
“The world you are inheriting is a world which desperately needs a new sense of brotherhood and human solidarity. It is a world which needs to be touched and healed by the beauty and richness of God’s love. It needs witnesses to that love. The world needs salt. It needs you—to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world… Even a tiny flame lifts the heavy lid of night. How much more light will you make, all together, if you bond as one in the communion of the Church!”
When my husband and I returned to Italy in 2003 for his job, we stood next to the Pope’s chair in St. Peter’s Square and had our photo taken with him. I found myself wanting to grab his hand, kneel at his feet and say something amazing. I’m sure I would’ve just blubbered gibberish. Perhaps what I wanted most to say was simple: “Thank you, Pope John Paul II. Thank you for being the salt of the earth and the light of the world and inspiring millions to do the same.” We returned home and found out I was pregnant. Our second son is appropriately named John Paul; clearly, our encounter with the Pope touched our hearts in a profound way.
It was that last visit to Rome, that my heart both skipped a beat and broke in two upon seeing Pope John Paul II. The Parkinson’s was ravaging his body. As he spoke, drool pooled in his lap. His struggles were on display for the world to see. Yet, he didn’t shy from the public eye. He owned it. There is dignity in suffering. Just look at Christ on the cross. It’s easy for us to love the chubby cheeks of a newborn baby, to see the beauty of children clamoring to learn about God, to admire the relationship between a grandparent and a grandchild. Where is the dignity in a nursing home, in a hospital wing full of seniors in their last days? It’s in their very breath. In their example.
Sunday Angelus, 2003
John Paul II showed the world his life had value—all lives have value—until the very end.
If he had hidden away in his Papal apartment, what lesson would the world have learned then?
When I think back to my initial views of the Pope, before I was confirmed in the church, I just have to chuckle.
Why did people wait hours to catch a glimpse of him? Because his effect was real and life-changing. His words made you want to set the world on fire. He spoke the Gospel truth.
Why, with all that is holy, did he and the church feel the need to tell me and my husband what to do in our bedroom? The value placed on the sanctity of life is high. We are made in the image and likeness of God. Our bodies truly are a temple.
Why did he serve in his role as Pope until death instead of stepping down? The world needed an example of why life is precious. His cross was heavy, but he wore it with dignity and humility.
Why were people already championing his cause for sainthood while he was still alive? Need you ask?
This week, as he was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI, his cause for sainthood took another important step. There are dozens of saints whom I admire: St. Therese of Lisieux, Padre Pio and St. Catherine of Siena, to name a few. Surely, Blessed (someday Saint!) John Paul II will be an inspiration for generations of Catholics. Generations. My brief, yet profound, encounters with him touched me in a very real way. I have no doubt as he reached heaven’s gates, God proclaimed, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Kathryn is mother to the “other” John Paul. She and her husband are proud to be part of the John Paul II generation and look forward to fostering a love of the saints with their five children. You can read about their faith journey, crazy life and ER visits at Team Whitaker.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Michelle recently posted..May 2 – May 8- 2011
Kathryn, this is amazing!
Fr John Riccardo often talks about what a profound effect JPII had on his life. He often mentions JPIIs later years, just like you did …. and his example of the dignity and preciousness of every moment of human life.
I have no other words — you said all so beautifully!
I am touched by your experience:) God bless you and your family.
Your journey in faith is very inspiring and beautiful! I am a cradle-Catholic and love to see converts great faith! I was never able to see our dear Pope John Paul II but just watching him on television was enough too feel his holyness!