Pilgrimage with Pope Francis - NINTH STATION - Saint Pope John Paul II, patron of the World Meeting of Families

Welcome to the ninth and last station on your virtual pilgrimage to Philadelphia with Pope Francis. Let us pray!

Free Catholic PDF's - Home / Parish / School / Bulletin Inserts

About Saint Pope John Paul II

Born Karol Wojtyla in Wadowice, Poland, in 1920, the man who would become Pope John Paul II heard God's call at a young age.

Karol's mother died when he was 9, and he was raised by his father after that. His father was a military veteran who was also devoted to God, and he taught his son the same devotion. Karol was very athletic and he enjoyed sports and outdoor activities.

After the Nazi invasion of Poland, Karol felt his calling to become a priest. He attended a secret seminary and as a seminarian, he helped hide Jews from the Nazis. He was ordained a priest in 1946, became a bishop just 11 years later. He continued to rise through the ranks of the Church until 1978 when he was elected Pope. He became the first non-Italian Pope in more than four centuries.

As Pope, now known as John Paul II, he became a traveler, visiting places around the world and reaching out to the nearly 1 billion Catholics in the Church at that time. He had a special ministry to the youth and he established the World Youth Day festivities to confer with young people and to inspire them to do great things with their faith.

Pope John Paul II also had a powerful devotion to the Virgin Mary and called for all Catholics to venerate her frequently along with Jesus Christ. He survived an assassination attempt in 1981 and credited the intercession of the Virgin Mary with saving his life. He later pardoned his attacker.

Pope John Paul II was also instrumental in aiding the collapse of communism in Poland, in advocating for human rights and in uniting Catholics with other Christians, reducing divisions between the Church and other Christian denominations by emphasizing the many things we share in common.

Pope John Paul II departed on April 2, 2005 and the world mourned his loss. Over 3 million people attended his viewing and funeral.

The Church quickly recognized the John Paul II lived an exceptionally holy life and evidence of his sainthood followed quickly. Waiving the usual waiting period for acknowledging a saint, the Church recognized his sainthood in 2014.

A Saint Pope John Paul II is the patron of World Youth Day and the World Meeting of Families.

Meditation:

As we rest at the shrine of Saint Pope John Paul II, we recall his unfailing devotion to the Church. Despite dangers posed by the Nazis, and later by the Communists, and an assassin, Saint Pope John Paul II grew in faith. Each challenge strengthened him. He was tireless and worked faithfully until his death. Oh, that I may serve our mother Church with the same devotion!

Free RCIA classes for Students and Catechists from Catholic Online School

How can I serve my family tirelessly and unfailing, without complaint? How can I serve the Church with increasing devotion?

Prayer:

Saint Pope John Paul II, your devotion to the Church and the family are legendary. I ask that I too be inspired by your example and strengthened by your intercession to serve my family and my Church better. Please intercede and grant me the wisdom, the strength, and the health to use my talents in service to those around me. Strengthen my family and its foundation, which is love. Please strengthen my faith family, which is the Church, and its foundation, which is also love.

I ask these things through special intercession of the Virgin Mary, to whom you are greatly devoted, and through her Son, Jesus Christ, who is Lord.

(Please add your intentions to this prayer so Saint Pope John Paul II may grant you intercession.)

Let us now pray the World Meeting of Families Prayer

God and Father of us all,
in Jesus, your Son and our Savior,
you have made us
your sons and daughters
 in the family of the Church.
May your grace and love
help our families
in every part of the world
be united to one another
in fidelity to the Gospel.
May the example of the Holy Family,
with the aid of your Holy Spirit,
guide all families, especially those most troubled,
to be homes of communion and prayer
and to always seek your truth and live in your love.
Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Let us pause and meditate upon this prayer.

Amen.

This is the final station on your virtual pilgrimage. You have arrived in Philadelphia. May your time with the Holy Father help you to increase in faith and blessings as you celebrate and work to strengthen your family and the Church. Thank you for making this faith journey with us.

Now we invite you to conclude your pilgrimage and download the World Meeting of Families prayer. Click the button below to get your free copy.