Faith And Forgiveness

Saint John Paul II had a very special place in his heart for the Blessed Mother. His papal motto was “Totus tuus,” or “I belong entirely to you,” and he placed an “M” beside the Cross on his coat of arms, because he wanted to dedicate his entire pontificate to her. 

On May 13, 1981, during an open-air audience in Saint Peter’s Square, an attempt was made on the late Hoy Father’s life. While it was a traumatic event, it was one that affirmed his devotion to Mary.

St. John Paul II attributed his survival and recovery to her, famously saying that, “[o]ne finger fired and another directed the bullet.” It was the feast of Our Lady of Fatima that day, and one year later he visited Fatima in order to place one of the bullets found inside of him in the Blessed Mother’s crown.

Through Mary’s prayers, John Paul II also received the grace to forgive the man who shot him. After experiencing the chilling moment of the assassination attempt, shown in the picture above, visitors to our exhibit journey on to one of our most moving galleries, in which they are called to reflect upon the time when the sainted pontiff visited and forgave Mehmet Ali Ağca.

Please join us here in the coming weeks as we continue to explore the themes of our permanent exhibit. As you learn more, prayerfully consider a pilgrimage to see these themes come to life yourself.

St. John Paul II, Pray for Us!