Blessed John Paul II

Alleluia! Today on the Feast of Divine Mercy, the Church beatifies the man who instituted it, John Paul II! Today is also May Day, the first day in the month of Mary, which is fitting since John Paul was especially devoted to Our Lady. Thank God for giving us such a shepherd to guide the Church, and such a spark to spread the light of Christ throughout the world!                                                                                                                                                                       
"The goal and target of our life is He, the Christ who awaits us -- each one singly and altogether -- to lead us across the boundaries of time to the eternal embrace of the God who loves us."

 

"Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought."

"Love of Christ does not distract us from interest in others, but rather invites us to responsibility for them, to the exclusion of no one…."     

"Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence."

"Young people are threatened... by the evil use of advertising techniques that stimulate the natural inclination to avoid hard work by promising the immediate satisfaction of every desire."

"I have a sweet tooth for song and music. This is my Polish sin."

"Radical changes in world politics leave America with a heightened responsibility to be, for the world, an example of a genuinely free, democratic, just and humane society."

"The human being is single, unique, and unrepeatable, someone thought of and chosen from eternity, someone called and identified by name"

"The way Jesus shows you is not easy. Rather, it is like a path winding up a mountain. Do not lose heart! The steeper the road, the faster it rises towards ever wider horizons."

"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song."

 John Paul's last audible words, on hearing tens of thousands of young people singing in St. Peter's Square as he lay in his deathbed, Friday, April 1, 2005: "I sought you out and now you come to me. Thank you."   

BLESSED JOHN PAUL II, PRAY FOR US!