2nd Sunday of Easter (Low Sunday) or Divine Mercy Sunday–April 16, 2023
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April 15, 20232nd Sunday of Easter (Low Sunday) or Divine Mercy Sunday–April 16, 2023
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
In 2014 in Rome, Pope Francis presided over the Canonization of Pope John Paul II along with Pope John XXIII. Many recall that when Pope John Paul II died in 2005, after over twenty-six years as pope, countless faithful asked for his immediate canonization. Already during his lifetime, he was widely recognized for his heroic sanctity. Those of a certain age recall the Pontificate of Pope John XXIII and the historic Vatican II Council he called but was unable to finish before his death from stomach cancer in June of 1963. The Church, exercising its full authority, proclaimed these two popes of the twentieth century as witnesses of holiness for the men and women of our day.
I feel especially attached to Saint John Paul II. I was in Rome at the end of September in 1978. On the Feast of the Transfiguration, August 6, Pope Paul VI had died after fifteen years as pope. He had presided over the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council and had worked in the years afterwards to set in place its implementation. Cardinal Albino Luciani from Venice was elected on August 26 and took the name John Paul I. He was pope for only thirty-three days, dying in his sleep on September 29. I remember viewing his body in the Vatican Palace and then later in St. Peter’s Basilica. I was also present at his funeral in St. Peter’s Square. It rained. The Italians described him as “Il Papa del Sorriso” (The Smiling Pope). I was also in St. Peter’s Square on the evening of October 16, 1978, when Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was elected pope and the announcement was made from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. He took the name John Paul II. His first words were: “Do not be afraid!” These are the words of the Risen Christ. These words indicated the confidence in the Faith, that he would inspire over the years with millions of people.
It was appropriate that Saint John Paul II was beatified on Divine Mercy Sunday. During his pontificate, he canonized Sister Faustina, who promoted the Lord’s Divine Mercy. He began the custom of referring to this Sunday as Divine Mercy Sunday. In his writings, Saint John Paul II said that the main mission of the Church is to proclaim the mercy of God. That mercy is made clear in the gospel this Sunday when Jesus gives the apostles and their successors the power to forgive sins in His name and thus the mandate to do that. His Resurrection is made present to souls through his merciful forgiveness of sins, particularly in the Sacrament of Penance. The Lord wants us to be certain that our sins are forgiven. So great is His mercy toward us. God’s love and mercy will remain with us always. Therefore, let us call upon the intercession of Saint John Paul II, who left this world for heaven on the Eve of Divine Mercy Sunday 2005.
Saint Pope John XXIII, I recall from my childhood. He is the first Pope I can remember, though I was alive during the last years of the great Pope Pius XII, who died in 1958. Saint Pope John XXIII reigned for less than five years, but he was determined to address the needs of the modern world by calling the Second Vatican Council, which met from October 1962 until the end of 1965. Sixteen documents were produced by the pope and his bishops, which remain the official teaching of the council. Though he did not live to sign even one of these documents or implement them, he is given credit for beginning the council, which would be presided over by Pope Paul VI and concluded by him.
We know much about Pope John XXIII from his diaries, which were published after his death. He led a serious life of disciplined piety and penance, deeply in love with Christ and the Church. He insisted that Catholic teaching cannot change but needs to be better presented in all its glory to people today. He is sometimes misrepresented by the media and others with personal agendas. He had no intention to make the Church kneel before the world, but to have us all kneel before Jesus Christ, the Divine Lord and Savior of the whole world.
Many still recall the great charm and sense of humor that Saint Pope John XXIII showed on many occasions. Once asked “how many work at the Vatican?”, he stated with a smile “Oh, about half.” Towards the end of his life, he remarked that his bags were packed, which helped many to serenely face death and eternity. (My own father often said the same thing towards the end of his life.) As it became clear he would soon die, Saint John XXIII was quoted as saying: “Ogni giorno e un buon giorno per vivere, ed anche per morire; every day is a good day to live, and a good day to die.”
The teachings and lives of these two popes remain a rich source of inspiration and guidance nowadays. Saint John Paul II left behind so many magisterial documents and so many signs of profound holiness, that he is called “John Paul the Great,” a unique title given only to a few popes down through the centuries. Saint John XXIII reminds us to humbly, obediently, and faithfully commit ourselves to the Church so that the face of the earth may be renewed. Let us pray to these holy popes to guide us in our journey of faith. May the authentic renewal of the Church that they intended come about in the years ahead of us. Indeed, these are days where saints are more than ever needed.
Yours in Our Lord and Our Lady,
Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor
