Pope John Paul II and the Priesthood

Today, 32 years ago, the Holy Spirit prompted the conclave of cardinals to elect a new Pope: John Paul II. This is the power of saying 'yes' to God, none more so than when a young man says 'yes' to serving Christ as His priest. Perhaps, in our midst, is a future pope who simply needs your encouragement to enable him to say 'yes' to Christ when He says "come" and become His priest...

Please pray for the healing of a friend

O Blessed Trinity,

We thank you for having graced the Church with Pope John Paul II

and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care,

the glory of the cross of Christ,

and the splendour of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him.

Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy

and in the maternal intercession of Mary,

he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd,

and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is

the way of achieving eternal communion with you.

Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will,

the graces we implore,hoping that he will

soon be numbered among your saints.

Amen.

Please pray for the intercession of the late Pope John Paul the Great that he may seek a miracle healing for a friend of mine, also by the name of John Paul, that he may be saved at this time. He is currently in a coma in hospital.

Update: Wed, 17 June at 4pm. Thanks for the prayers. John Paul remains in a coma but things are looking more hopeful and so please, if you can, keep those prayers coming. I'll keep you updated.

Update: Fri, 19 June at 10pm. JP is showing signs of recovery and whilst he remains sedated the doctors are more hopeful. Praying for a miracle is effective and where there was love now we have hope. Thanks.

Update: Sun, 21 June at 10pm. The prayed for miracle has happened! John Paul continues to improve and is now responsive. He remains heavily sedated but the doctors hope to remove some tubes on Monday/Tuesday from his throat. He is aware of those around him. Again, huge thanks for all your continuing prayers.

Pope John Paul II, Servant of God

We remember you.

O Blessed Trinity, we thank You for having graced the Church with Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care, the glory of the cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints. Amen

St Joseph

I have a funny tale to tell of St Joseph. Well, perhaps others will think me awful, but nonetheless, it is a truth. Whilst the late pope, John Paul II, was extremely ill in 2004, I recall my neighbour at the time, Ed, a fellow seminarian and I would often talk of his likely fate. Often I would say something like - "ah, well, we must pray to St Joseph for a quick end", or some such comment. Can you imagine my shock at what I had been saying when, in the spirit of fraternal correction, my good friend rebuked me and said, "no, Paul, we pray to St Joseph for a holy death". The shame. I never forgot it, and even today say sorry, when I recall the error, to Pope John Paul the Great, who I feel sure understands me.