The Homilies and Writings of Saint John Paul II

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The pontificate of Pope John Paul II has been one of the most important in centuries, for the Church and the world. Some would argue that John Paul II has been the most consequential pope since the Reformation and Counter-Reformation in the sixteenth century. As that period defined the Catholic Church’s relationship to an emerging modern world, so the Second Vatican Council and the pontificate of John Paul II have laid down a set of markers that will likely determine the course of world Catholicism well beyond “modernity” and into the third millennium of Christian history. 

John Paul II has also been, indisputably, the most visible pope in history. In fact, a case can be made that he has been the most visible human being in history. He has almost certainly been seen live by more people than any man who ever lived. When one adds the multiplying impact of television to the equation, the breadth of his reach into the worlds-within-worlds of humanity becomes almost impossible to grasp. 

Yet there is a paradox here: this most visible of men may also be the least understood major figure of the twentieth century. Certainly the judgments about the man and his accomplishment have been, to put it gently, contradictory.

Weigel, George. Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II (p. 4). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition. 

When Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was elected Pope on 16 October 1978 as the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years, even the most optimistic of the faithful who were excited to see the youthful (age 58), charismatic Polish priest could foretell the new Pope's affect on not only the Catholic Church but on the whole world.  

One could never fully understand how Saint John Paul II changed our world during his 27-year pontificate in a 90-minute Cor Gathering.  As JPII's feast day approaches (22 October), it seems appropriate to discuss, not the man, but the issues of faith and morals, of evangelization and life, and  of service and love of humanity.  

We will review just a few of JPII's homilies and writings to gain some inspiration for the men of Saint Michael Parish as missionaries of the New Evangelization.  Please review the files that are attached below.  We will also present some links where you can purchase books by and about Saint John Paul II.

We chose four writings from which we extracted extracts for discussion.  Two are from Papal Mass that were delivered in the United States:  The Mass for World Youth Day 1993 in Denver, Colorado that was said on the Feast of the Assumption, and from a Mass at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore in October 1995.  The third writing is a homily from the Mass in Managua, Nicaragua.  While the writing is as the Holy Father intended to deliver, the actual delivery involved a scolding that JPII gave to the country's Communist government officials.  The final presentation is a letter to the "Jubilee of Sports People" that occurred after the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.  The text of the writings are linked below.

Finally, we present some words from the Hallow series on Saint John Paul II.  The presenter is Monsignor James Shea.  The text includes words that JPII spoke at his installation Mass, beginning with the phrase that he is most known for, "Be not afraid!"

This 1993 book by Saint John Paul II is a transcript of a series of interviews conducted by Italian journalist, Vittorio Messori.

This link is to the Kindle Edition of the book from Amazon.  It sells for $10.99

Published in 2009, this book by George Weigel is the most comprehensive biography of the the now saint.  Mr. Weigel conducted hundreds of interviews with JPII and had access to all of his writings and Vatican records.  This is a most outstanding read.  Download from Amazon for $14.39.

From Amazon Video:  "The papacy of St. John Paul II left an indelible mark on the American continent. Driven by his singular conviction of a "United American Continent "under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe, his papal travels from Argentina to Alaska generated massive crowds, shaped an entire generation, and ultimately changed the course of history. Narrated by Andy Garcia."

This video is available for free or for a small rental charge.  It covers Saint John Paul II's trips to North and South America in during his Pontificate.  

These two-book series are messages dictated to Maria-Josee Thibault.  You can purchase and download for $4.99 each.