Majority of Americans Admire St. John Paul II

Saint John Paul II at the Aqueduct Racetrack in New York, 1995.

We are obviously big fans of Saint John Paul II here at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine. But we aren’t the only Americans who admire the sainted pontiff.

A month before his beatification, the Knights of Columbus conducted a poll to see what Americans really thought of the late Holy Father. Some of the key findings were:

78% of Americans – along with 95 percent of Catholics and 98 percent of practicing Catholics – admire Pope John Paul II at least somewhat, with strong majorities of each demographic admiring him a great deal or a good amount (55 percent, 82 percent and 89 percent, respectively).

About six in 10 Americans (59 percent) believe that Pope John Paul II was one of the best or the best Pope in Church history. Among Catholics this view grows to more than 8 in 10 (82 percent of Catholics and 87 percent of practicing Catholics).

A large number of Americans (40 percent) – along with 65 percent of Catholics and 71 percent of practicing Catholics – remember watching one of John Paul II’s televised Masses or events.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans remember his trips to the United States, and almost half (46 percent) watched his funeral in 2005 – a number that includes more than two-thirds of Catholics (68 percent) and almost three-quarters of practicing Catholics (73 percent).

More than four in 10 Americans report that Pope John Paul II made at least some difference in their life spiritually. Among Catholics nearly three-quarters felt he had some spiritual impact on their lives (73 percent), as did nearly 9 in 10 practicing Catholics (87 percent).

In sum, Saint John Paul II is overwhelmingly admired by Americans. We hope that this fondness for the sainted pontiff will draw these people to the Saint John Paul II National Shrine, so that they can venerate this great man, learn more about his life, and be inspired to pursue lives of holiness. 

Saint John Paul II, Pray for Us!

Papal Intentions for March

This month, Pope Francis asks us to join him in praying for “those involved in scientific research," that they "may serve the well-being of the whole human person.”

The Holy Father also asks us to pray that, “the unique contribution of women to the life of the Church may be recognized always.”

Let us join the Pope, then, in praying for virtue among scientists and for the general recognition of all that women do for the Church.

Saint John Paul II, Pray for Us!

Drawing From The Source Of Love

In his 1994 Message for Lent, Saint John Paul II challenged the Church to make the Lenten season one of conversion and growth:

The Lenten Season is the acceptable time which the Lord gives us that we might take up anew our journey of conversion, grow in faith, hope and love, enter more fully into the Covenant willed by God and experience a season of grace and reconciliation.

His challenge is one that asks us to turn back to that relationship we were made for—to return “to the God from whom we have turned away.” The sainted pointiff invites all Chrstians to change their lives in this way, and so better orient themselves for receiving God’s grace and giving themselves as “leaven which gives rise in the heart of the human family…”

There can be no conversion—no turning back—without cultivating a life of prayer in one’s life and in the life of one’s family. Without prayer, one’s gifts can be misguided, lifeless, and hallow. As John Paul II wrote:

In their individual and community prayer [families] receive the Holy Spirit who comes to make all things new in them and through them, opening the hearts of the faithful to concern for all. Drawing from the source of love, all are enabled to transmit this love by their life and their actions.

The Holy Spirit gives purpose to our fasting, and He brings life to our almsgiving. He inspires us to grow in our relationship with God, and He strengthens us to lift up those who are suffering.

We can not make our Lent mean something. It is God who must do that! So let us turn to Him in prayer, and allow Him to guide our Lenten journeys.

For more on Lenten prayer in the family, see the Saint John Paul II National Shrine website.

A Second World Youth Day For Poland

Saint John Paul II greets young people at the 1993 World Youth Day in Denver
(CNS photo / Joe Rimkus Jr.) 

The young faithful of Poland celebrated with joy when Pope Francis announced that the 31^st World Youth Day would be held in Krakow. During the late summer months of 2016, thousands of young people will gather in Saint John Paul II’s beloved country in order to celebrate the Love that they all share.

Did you know that this will be the second time that World Youth Day is celebrated in Poland? The 6^th World Youth Day was hosted in Czestochowa, Poland back in 1991.

Led by the theme, “You have received a spirit of sonship” (Rom 8:15), Saint John Paul II said Mass for thousands of youth there on the solemnity of the Assumption. He noted the presence of those from eastern Europe, “a great gift of the Holy Spirit” after the fall of Communism (Weigel, Witness to Hope, 650-651). The patron saint of World Youth Days challenged those and others to work towards building a civilization of love.

In his message for the 6th World Youth Day, St. John Paul II said:

‘Young people, do not be afraid to be holy!’ Fly high, be among those whose goals are worthy of sons and daughters of God. Glorify God in your lives!

Let us join the sainted pontiff in praying for all of those young people preparing for the 31^st World Youth Day in Krakow, that they may glorify God with each day of their lives.

A Humbled Heart You Will Not Spurn

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;

in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.

Thoroughly wash me from my guilt

and of my sin cleanse me.

A clean heart create for me, O God,

and a steadfast spirit renew within me.

Cast me not out from your presence,

and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

For you are not pleased with sacrifices;

should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.

My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;

a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

-Psalms 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19