Blessed John Paul II Birth: May 18, 1920, Wadowice, Poland. Baptismal Name: Karol Józef Wojtyla Death: April 2, 2005 Beatification: May 1, 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI Known for: Conviction in the truth; immense sensitivity towards all people; devotion to the Blessed Mother; promotion of the mercy of God, the call to holiness for all peoples; belief in the power of young people to build up society and live holy lives. He is the founder of World Youth Days and World Meetings of the Family. Imitate the saint: Cultivate love for the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother by spending time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and praying the Rosary. Be brave in standing up for the Christian values in your environment and defend the weak. Be fearless in proclaiming the name of Jesus and his message of salvation for humanity. Respond to his call to young people to be the light of the world and work towards building up a civilization of love and life. About the saint: Karol Józef Wojtyła, known as John Paul II since his election to the papacy, was born in the Polish town of Wadowice, a small city outside of Krakow, on May 18, 1920. He was the youngest of three children. He enrolled in Krakow's Jagiellonian University in 1938 and in a school for drama. The Nazi occupation forces closed the university in 1939 and young Karol had to work in a quarry (1940-‐1944) and then in a chemical factory to earn his living and to avoid being deported to Germany. In 1942, aware of his call to the priesthood, he began courses in the secret seminary of Krakow, run by Cardinal Adam Stefan Sapieha, archbishop of Krakow. After the Second World War, he continued his studies in the major seminary of Krakow, once it had re-‐opened, and in the faculty of theology of the Jagiellonian University. He was ordained to the priesthood in Krakow on November 1, 1946. On January 13, 1964, Pope Paul VI appointed him archbishop of Krakow. He took part in Vatican Council II (1962-‐1965) and participated in all the assemblies of the Synod of Bishops. The Cardinals elected him Pope at the Conclave on October 16, 1978, and he took the name of John Paul II. His pontificate, one of the longest in the history of the Church, lasted nearly 27 years. His love for young people brought him to establish the World Youth Days. The 19 WYDs celebrated during his pontificate brought together millions of young people from all over the world. John Paul II successfully encouraged dialogue with the representatives of other religions. He strongly promoted the spiritual renewal of the Church. He celebrated 147 beatification ceremonies during which he proclaimed 1,338 Blesseds; and 51 canonizations for a total of 482 saints. He also published five books. He strongly encouraged the faithful to pray before the Blessed Sacrament in Eucharistic Adoration and to ask for Mary’s intercession through the Rosary. On April 2, 2005, the Church's beloved Pastor, John Paul II, departed this world for the Father. On June 28, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI announced that the cause for beatification was officially opened. In early 2006, it was reported that the Vatican was investigating a possible miracle associated with John Paul II. Sister Marie Simon-‐ Pierre, a French nun confined to her bed by Parkinson's Disease, was reported to have experienced a "complete and lasting cure after members of her community prayed for the intercession of Pope John Paul II". As of May 2008, Sister Marie-‐Simon-‐Pierre, then 46, was working again at a maternity hospital run by her order. John Paul II was beatified on May, 1, 2011, the Feast of Divine Mercy. Hopefully looking to John Paul II will help all the young people of the world prepare the way towards the World Youth Day of Madrid.
