'We Have Seen Incredible Things Today'
FREE Catholic Classes
by Monsignor Charles M. Mangan
©Catholic Online 2005
+J.M.J.+
Lux aeterna luceat ei, Domine: cum sanctis Tuis in aeternum, quia pius Es.
"May perpetual light shine upon him, O Lord, with Your Saints forever, because You are good."
So the famous Sistine Chapel Choir chanted during Friday's Funeral Mass for Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square.
That one simple but profound sentence summed up for me the reason for participating in this historic Requiem: to pray that the Holy Father may inherit the gift of unending life with Jesus Christ in Heaven and to thank the Almighty for allowing us--indeed, the whole world--to benefit from the 26-plus years of Petrine ministry exercised by Karol Jozef Wojtyla, a humble Pole who knew the distressing agonies wrought by Nazism and Communism and who outlived his entire earthly family.
I, and countless others, struggled with competing emotions this week. On one hand, we confessed our sorrow at the passing of a great man who suffered considerably, not only from his personal physical maladies but also from the temporal and spiritual tribulations burdening the universe. On the other, we acknowledged our genuine joy that the Bishop of Rome has been freed from our terrestrial bonds in order to enjoy perfect union with the Most Blessed Trinity.
Perhaps the most touching moment for me, along with the reception of Holy Communion, was toward the end of the Mass. The cypress casket carrying the remains of the Holy Father was carried to the door of the Basilica while the Magnificat was being sung. The pallbearers halted and permitted the assembly to express its appreciation for Pope John Paul II. Sustained applause rang out, and copious tears flowed for seven minutes.
Just as the casket was to disappear inside the Basilica for burial in the Vatican Grottoes, a bright ray of the sun was noticed encompassing the wooden box.
Signs dotting the square and beyond unapologetically called for the instant canonization of the man being remembered: Santo Subito ("Saint Immediately"). The next Pope will decide if the process leading to Sainthood is to be altered.
After the Funeral, as I exited the square, I chatted with several members of the U.S. congressional delegation: Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and his wife, Karyn; Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich.; and Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J. Each felt honored to have attended the Sacred Rites for the deceased Pontiff, as did the Most Rev. Harry Flynn, the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
The stirring Funeral initiated the nine days (Novendiali) of intense prayer and Holy Masses for the repose of the immortal soul of the Holy Father--a period that will conclude on Saturday, April 16, just two days before the beginning of the Conclave that will elect the next Pope.
As I walked home through the Eternal City, now filled with several million extra persons, many of whom hail from the pilgrim Pope's homeland, I couldn't help but ponder the words of those who witnessed Jesus' healing of the paralytic:
"We have seen incredible things today." (St. Luke 5:26)
From the Sioux Falls Argus Leader (April 9, 2005).
Contact
Mary's Field
https://www.catholic.org
, VA
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan - Official, 390 66616-1125
fathermangan@catholic.org
Keywords
Pope John Paul II
More Catholic PRWire
Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716
A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain
Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.
The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul
A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.
Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell
My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz
Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell
Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online
Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online
Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online
State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online
Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online
2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online
Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online
Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online
Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online
Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online
Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online
Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online
Full Circle
Robert Gieb
Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite
Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony
Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell
World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online
Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA
Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online
A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe
Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly
Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard
The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely
Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow
A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow
Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea
Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard
Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol
Edging God Out
Paul Sposite
Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow
George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online
Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell
Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey
Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite
Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol
Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol
Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online
Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online
Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online
Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online
Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online
Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online
Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
- Easter / Lent
- Ascension Day
- 7 Morning Prayers
- Mysteries of the Rosary
- Litany of the Bl. Virgin Mary
- Popular Saints
- Popular Prayers
- Female Saints
- Saint Feast Days by Month
- Stations of the Cross
- St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Michael the Archangel
- The Apostles' Creed
- Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
- Pray the Rosary

One Nation Under God

Pope Leo XIV to Celebrate First-Ever “Mass for the Care of Creation”

Catholic Online AI Open Letter
Daily Catholic
Daily Readings for Friday, July 04, 2025
St. Elizabeth of Portugal: Saint of the Day for Friday, July 04, 2025
Consecration of America: Prayer of the Day for Friday, July 04, 2025
Daily Readings for Thursday, July 03, 2025
St. Thomas: Saint of the Day for Thursday, July 03, 2025
- A Prayer of Gratitude for God's Blessings - Acts of Thomas: Prayer of the Day for Thursday, July 03, 2025
Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.