Thousands of young Catholics pray at tomb of Pope John Paul II

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Pope John Paul II

Comments: 12

Card. Dziwisz kneels in prayer with Polish President Lech Kaczynski, at the tomb of Pope John Paul II

Vatican City, Apr 3, 2007 / 02:07 pm (CNA).- Young Catholics from around the world gathered at the tomb of the late Pope John Paul II last night for a prayer vigil, led by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz. Though he has been gone for two years, the archbishop said, today John Paul II “speaks to the world through you youth, and you youth have a great responsibility.”

“My hope is that you might fulfill his expectations,” the Archbishop of Krakow and long time assistant of the beloved Pope said, “certainly he, next to the Lord, is praying for you, so that you will always be morning sentinels.”

The Cardinal was gathered with thousands of young adults who filled the area surround Pope John Paul’s tomb. The prayer vigil included a Rosary with reflections from Arcbishop Angelo Comastri, Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, according to the Religious Information Service of Italy (SIR).

Cardinal Dziwisz expressed his gratitude that so many were gathered around the tomb of the late Pope on the two year anniversary of their being gathered at the deathbed of John Paul. “Some people who are here today and I were next to John Paul II’s bed, and you were under the windows in Saint Peter’s Square, in the squares, in the streets of Rome.”

“He could hear you,” Dziwisz said of the Pontiff, “the windows were open and this was a great relief to him. He looked for you and you came to be with him at the time of his transition. I think he is not alone today either: he is with the youth that he loved so much, he loved you so much.”

“But,” the prelate asked, “what does John Paul II say to the youth today? Perhaps the same as he said on the first day of his papacy: ‘you are the hope of the Church, you are my hope.’ Today he tells you, be Benedict XVI’s hope. Be the hope of the Church!”

“We, who are here today,” he added, “are lucky because here we represent all the Church and you represent all the youth and take on your shoulders, and above all into your hearts, all that John Paul II has left behind, all his legacy.”

“At [the Roman University of] Tor Vergata he called you morning sentinels; Sentinels, those who herald the hope of a new day. Be today’s sentinels,” the Cardinal encouraged, “by carrying the Pope’s message.”

Dziwisz then noted the close relationship between John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. He speaks of him so many times, the archbishop noted, “with such great love. Today he gave a beautiful sermon during which he called [Pope John Paul] ‘Our Holy Father.’ We know who our Holy Father is today, but these words did enrapture our hearts.”

The Cardinal also spoke words of gratitude to Cardinal Camillo Ruini for starting and carrying on the process of beatification of John Paul II with “great commitment” and for “not having spared himself, in cooperation with the diocese of Rome.”

Cardinal Dziwisz also thanked the President of Poland, Lech Kaczynski, who at the end of the vigil laid an arrangement of white flowers and kneeled on the tomb of John Paul II next to the Cardinal.

During the vigil, the youth prayed the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, which John Paul II expressly established. During his meditations on the mysteries Archbishop Comastri recalled the Polish Pope’s calling and his “yes” to Christ and Mary.

“The experience of the Nazi invasion, then the Communist invasion and then the dramatic experience of the Second World War made us feel the urgent need to bring God back into man’s life,” Comastri state.

The prelate mentioned Pope Wojtyla’s 104 international journeys and 146 journeys across Italy, which are “the picture of his missionary eagerness” and highlighted John Paul II’s fight in defense of human life at every stage and his “unheeded” appeals for peace.

Comments: 12

Subscriber comments:

Published by: TERESA
ST. LOUIS/U.S.A. 09/04/2007 01:46 AM EST

I am not Catholic, but loved Pope John Paul ll..I beleive he was sent to us from Heaven above. I pray for him, to him..and thank God he sent him to us for as long as he did.. He is a Saint!!!

Published by: Anita
Florida, USA 04/04/2007 10:31 PM EST

We truly have a saint in JP II. He touched so many lives while he was living and many more now that he is in Heaven. Thank you Pope John Paul the Great for demonstrating to us the way to sainthood.

Published by: Alcaria Valdez
Albuquerque, NM USA 04/04/2007 10:16 PM EST

I;ve been silent too long. Pope John Paul II was my personal friend by bilocation.When the going was rough and I had no friends or priests I could talk to, John Paul II came to visit me mystically many times.Even when he passed over the veil,he visited me mystically and said via locution:"I'm leaving now" and other encouraging words. Thanks for letting me speak out.I'll always love Pope John Paul II

Published by: Ingrid
casper, wy 04/04/2007 06:48 PM EST

Today, before Mass, there was a beautiful phenomenon in the sky. The sun, casting its light through clouds gave the following effect: first there was a white "halo" an arc of light at some distance from the sun, then there, further away, was a double rainbow, not in the usual nested sense, but opposite, like a bowl on a pedestal. It was unlike anything I have ever seen and I called many to come see this. Two opposing arcs, yet joined, of beautiful color. Praise be to God and pray for us St. John Paul II!

Published by: pauline
mississauga, ontario, canada 04/04/2007 03:10 PM EST

The day on which Pope John Paul the Great died, was the day my son began his journey back to the Church.

I miss him, but that is foolish, as he is still with us in reality. I pray often for his intercession in the conversion of the entire world, and the end of abortion and the culture of death.

He is a priceless gift to the Church.

Published by: Jennifer
Mumbai, India 04/04/2007 01:48 PM EST

I bless and thank God for both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. These two annointed popes are leading the church through the most difficult times and as a result of their guidance the presence of the Lord is strongly felt all over the world. The love that they both have for Mary, the dear Mother of God is beautiful beyond compare. In such able hands the faithful are making their way back to God like never before. May He continue to bless Pope Benedict XVI and may our dearly beloved John Paul II, the Great, soon become a Saint. In particular may he intercede at the heavenly throne of God for the youth and families who are so dear to the hearts of both these popes. I pray there will be news of his sainthood by Mercy Sunday 2007, if it is the will of God.

Published by: Annette
Hanahan, SC, USA 04/04/2007 09:54 AM EST

Rate: Excellent

Thank you for your article. Pope John Paul II the Great was leading us through the dangers that continuously surround us and seem to be growing and Pope Benedict XVI continues on the same path to our salvation. I greatly appreciate these two men's valor in the face of evil. May God continue to give great strength to the goodness, love, mercy, kindness, gentleness, and justice to the world in which we live. And may our Blessed Mother intercede for all of mankind's safety to her Son, Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Thank you.

Published by: Rita Abate
Cedar Knolls, N>J> USA 04/04/2007 09:37 AM EST

When I read this it made me cry. Even if i did not know John Paul personally I loved and miss him very much. I am praying for a miracle from John Paul. God Bless you all.

Published by: Cecilia Robinson
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada 04/04/2007 08:07 AM EST

Just to share with you, through a visionary, Pope John Paul spoke during a Marian Movement of Priests Cenacle and his first words were: "Do not be afraid!" Then he asked us to pray for the priests, for the seminarians, for more vocation and also for the youth that he loved so much that he was on earth. He asked us all to pray the Rosary and he was beside Our Lady of Fatima when he gave the message.

Then Our Lady of Fatima gave also a message of which she said that soon, he will be beatified; also, that so many were healed through him.

Both messages were long but this is just a summary. Pope John Paul said also that he will intercede for those who ask for his intercession. Therefore believe and pray to him for us the living,

Cecilia

Published by: michael g.b.
Penna. U.S.A. 04/04/2007 07:44 AM EST

Pope John Paul II was not just a candle bearing the "Light Of Christ" but he was, an IS, a torch . . . he not only enlightened our generation with Christ's gospel and presence and Spirit, but he also ignited that spiritual incandescence of "hope" . . . John Paul's physical presence is missed but his walk and companionship is not gone . . . with every Rosary or "Hail Mary" prayed we can feel his joining with us in prayer . . . and he "is" where we are going to . . . and one day our "Hosanna" and our "Ave Maria" will reunite us once more in God's Kingdom . . . but until then, John Paul remains our prayer partner . . . and a light to show us the way to Christ through and with Mary-- "Totus Tuus"

Published by: julie niehoff
cincinnati ohio 04/04/2007 07:37 AM EST

God bless Pope John Paul ll.
He is such a gift to all of us.
I ask him to heal and to con-
vert my family. I love John
Paul ll.

Published by: valerie
Singapore 04/04/2007 04:26 AM EST

I never realised how great our Pope John Paul had done to our world until he passaway 2yrs ago.i burst in to tear non stop when i saw him lying in Vatican that peaceful face that I wasn't afraid but gave me a very good thought of him..my famuily was shocked to see my outpoured because I'm nt that kind who easily tears....n remembered that very day,it was my sister who rang me to tell me that Pope John Paul had died,been stubborn n not knowing what i said,i just relied yap yap he was sick n god needed him.

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