Thirty-three years ago today Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was installed as Pope John Paul II. October 22, 2011 the Catholic Church around the world celebrated his feast day as Blessed John Paul II, just six and a half years after the end of his papacy.
At the Vatican, a prayer vigil was scheduled for the afternoon in preparation for a Mass in St Peter’s Basilica, celebrated by the Cardinal-Vicar of Rome, Agostino Vallini. Similar Masses and events have been planned in dioceses around the world.
In Washington, DC, for example, Cardinal Donald Wuerl blessed the opening of the new Blessed John Paul II Seminary near the Catholic University of America.
In the earlier announcement regarding the new seminary, Cardinal Wuerl stated, “Pope John Paul II was a special role model to so many people as an extraordinary priest, bishop and pope. In the quarter-century that he was pope, he traveled far and wide, met huge numbers of people and encouraged them with the words, ‘Be not afraid. Put your trust in God. Open your hearts to Christ.’
“Those words have inspired many young people to vocations. With the new seminary in the archdiocese, the young men who have been inspired to be part of the new evangelization may begin their formation right here at home and be an integral part of the local Catholic community in Washington from the beginning.”
The cause for canonization of the Holy Father continues to move forward. Vatican Radio asked postulator of the cause of canonization for Blessed John Paul II, Monsignor Slawomir Oder, “how the cause is proceeding, and whether those who cried out ‘Santo subito!’ have long to wait.
“‘The real protagonist,’ he said, ‘who undoubtedly will show us the best time, is God.’ It will be God, he continued, ‘who will give us a sign so that the Church might consider whether to recognize a new miracle.’ – and thus canonization.”
Full Article: Catholic Online
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