Memory of Pope John Paul II

As we approach the end of 2005, it seems that everyone likes to take a look back at the events of the year. One that seemed to have brought the entire world together for a couple weeks early on in the year was the death of beloved Pope John Paul II. Imagine any other religious leader for whom 4 million people would come to one city in order to celebrate his or her funeral! Such was the impact that John Paul had on the world during his 26 years as leader of the Church.

Perhaps he was most popular of all among young people. He loved them and encouraged them whenever he could. His knowledge of languages ingratiated him wherever he went. Remember when he first came to the U.S. - after seeing an army recruitment poster with Uncle Sam on it, he told the crowd, "John Paul II - he wants you!"

Over the next couple of weeks are a series of television specials about his extraordinary life. Most will concentrate on his career as pope. Yet his life prior to and leading up to his election is equally important and interesting. It tells us about the events that shaped his religious thinking. Growing up in communist Poland; attempting to escape the Nazi occupation of his country; losing both his parents and his only brother to death before he was even 25 years old; studying theology in an "underground" seminary because it was illegal to do so. . . all these formed his life and shaped his way of approaching the world.

Here is a great book to learn more about his "hidden" life as a young man and a young priest. Stories of Karol: The Unknown Life of John Paul II is published by Liguori Publication. It includes great photos that help remind us that this important figure in history was a normal human being like the rest of us. Here is a short excerpt from the book describing how he got the news that was to become a bishop:

Then, one day in July, he received a telegram. Somehow they had managed to track him down at the Masuri Lakes, where he was canoeing with a group of friends. The telegram upset his comfortable lifestyle and security. They wanted to make him a bishop. He was asked to present himelf immediatley to Cardinal Wyszynski in Warsaw.

In some ways, Wyszynski had been bypassed, . . . When he had him face to face, and asked him if he would accept the post, he was struck by the younger man's readiness. In fact, Karol responded with another question: "Where do I sign?" He signed, and only then did he ask: "Now can I go back to my hike?" That is, he didn't want to leave his young people. The cardinal consented with a smile.