Totus Tuus

Perhaps John Paul II's Greatest Work

The Theology of the Body, now presented in PDF format

In honor and memory of
Karol Wojtyla
May 18, 1920 – April 2, 2005

His Holiness Pope John Paul II
October 16, 1978 – April 2, 2005

Totus Tuus

Russians Remember John Paul II

Ecumenical Meeting Held in Moscow Cathedral

MOSCOW, APRIL 3, 2006 (Zenit.org).- An ecumenical gathering in a land he never visited remembered Pope John Paul II on the first anniversary of his death.

At a Eucharistic celebration attended by members of other faiths and confessions, the Russian Catholic community on Sunday joined in the worldwide remembrance of the Polish Pontiff.

The Catholic cathedral of Moscow welcomed hundreds of faithful for the event. On hand were representatives of various confessions and religions, Catholic priests of the Eastern rite, and diplomats from several countries. Images of the life of John Paul II adorned the interior of the church.

"God sent us the man our time needed," exclaimed Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow.

"His charism gathered believers and nonbelievers," and, under his direction, "the Church became more open to all Christians, faithful of other religions and all people of good heart," the prelate affirmed.

Archbishop Kondrusiewicz, 60, recalled his visit to John Paul II in the Gemelli hospital in Rome, days before his death. As on other occasions, he was impressed by the Pope's knowledge "of the Russian heart."

"He was a Pope who always made an effort to unite our world's civilization with the civilization of love," the archbishop recalled. "We now see the mystery of death through the mystery of the resurrection."

"Live in Christ," the bishop exhorted. "John Paul II lives! Stay with us and help us on our way."

Orthodox praise

His words were echoed by the vice spokesman of the Council of the Russian Federation, Aleksander Torshin, who called John Paul II "a great man."

"Our task now is to remember his advice more often," Torshin said. "Not only did John Paul II love Russia, but he understood its complexity, the complexity of forming a new civil society."

For his part, the Moscow Patriarchate's collaborator with the Department of Foreign Relations, Orthodox priest Aleksander Vasyutin, said that with John Paul II a new era arose of collaboration between both Churches.

"He was a man who changed the situation of our world and accepted the traditions of the East," said the representative of the Orthodox Church. "His memory remains not only with Catholics of Russia, but with Christians worldwide."

Rabbi Zinobi Kogan, president of the Congress of Jewish Religious Organizations and Groups, said that John Paul II "was a great spiritual leader of the 20th century who saved the dialogue between Jews and Christians, [and the] understanding between them, and inspired us to work for the improvement of our world."

He added: "April 2 will always remain as John Paul II Day."

Pope's Address at Vigil Recalling John Paul II's Death

"He Gave Suffering Dignity and Value"

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 3, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave Sunday night from the window of his study, to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray the rosary on the first anniversary of Pope John Paul II's death.

* * *

[In Italian]

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

We have gathered this evening, on the first anniversary of the death of our beloved John Paul II, for this Marian vigil organized by the diocese of Rome. I greet all of you present in St. Peter's Square, beginning with the Cardinal Vicar Camillo Ruini and the auxiliary bishops; I am thinking especially of the cardinals, bishops, priests, men and women religious and all the lay faithful, in particular young people.

Truly the whole city of Rome is gathered here on the occasion of this moving meeting of reflection and prayer. I address a special greeting to Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, metropolitan archbishop of Krakow, connected by video with us, who for many years was a faithful collaborator of the deceased Pope.

A year has already gone by since the death of the Servant of God John Paul II, which occurred almost at this same hour -- it was 9:37 p.m. -- but his memory continues to be particularly alive, as attested by the numerous ceremonies programmed over these days in all parts of the world. He continues to be present in our minds and in our hearts; he continues to communicate to us his love for God and for man; he continues to inspire in all, especially young people, enthusiasm for the good and courage to follow Jesus and his teachings.

How can the evangelical testimony of this great Pontiff be summarized? I will attempt to do so in two words: "fidelity" and "commitment"; total fidelity to God and commitment without reservations to his mission as Pastor of the universal Church. Fidelity and commitment which were even more convincing and moving in the last months, when he embodied in himself what he wrote in 1984 in the apostolic letter "Salvifici Doloris": "suffering is present in the world in order to release love, in order to give birth to works of love toward neighbor, in order to transform the whole human civilization into a 'civilization of love'" (No. 30).

His illness, faced with courage, made everyone pay more attention to human pain, to all physical and spiritual pain; he gave suffering dignity and value, demonstrating that man is not of worth for his efficiency or his appearance, but for himself, because he has been created and loved by God.

With his words and gestures, our beloved John Paul II did not tire of pointing out to the world that, if man allows himself to be embraced by Christ, it does not mortify the richness of his humanity; if he loves Him with all his heart, he will lack nothing. On the contrary, the encounter with Christ makes our life more exciting.

Precisely because he drew ever closer to God in prayer, in contemplation, in love of the Truth and of Beauty, our beloved Pope was able to makes himself a fellow traveler of each one of us and to speak with authority even to those who are distant from the Christian faith.

On the first anniversary of his return to the Father's House, we are invited this evening to take up again the spiritual heritage he left us. He stimulates us, among other things, to live tirelessly seeking Truth, as it alone can satisfy our hearts. He encourages us not to be afraid to follow Christ to take the proclamation of the Gospel to all, which is the leaven of a more fraternal and solidaristic humanity.

May John Paul II help us from heaven to continue on our journey, being docile disciples of Jesus, in order to be, as he himself was fond of saying to young people, "watchmen of the dawn" at the beginning of this third Christian millennium. For this reason, we invoke Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, for whom he always had a tender devotion.

I now address the faithful in Poland who are connected with us.

[In Polish]

Let us be united in spirit with the Poles who have gathered in Krakow, Warsaw and other places for the vigil. The memory of John Paul II is alive among us and the sense of his spiritual presence is not dissipated. May the memory of the particular love he felt for his compatriots always be for you the light on the path to Christ. "Remain strong in the faith." I bless you from my heart.

[In Italian]

Now I impart from my heart a blessing to all.

© Copyright 2006 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana [translation by ZENIT]

The Cause for John Paul II's Beatification

Interview With Cardinal Saraiva Martins

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 2, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The prefect of the Congregation for Sainthood Causes says that he cannot tell when John Paul II might be beatified, since the process hasn't arrived at his dicastery.

Cardinal José Saraiva Martins talked about the cause with ZENIT.

Q: How is John Paul II's cause of beatification proceeding?

Cardinal Saraiva Martins: Benedict XVI has dispensed from the established waiting period following death to initiate the cause of beatification, but he has not dispensed from the process itself, from either of the two phases. And this is often confused.

The Pope has dispensed from the five-year wait following death which canon law calls for. In the case of Mother Teresa of Calcutta [the previous Pope] granted a dispensation of two and a half years. In John Paul II's case, the Pope has dispensed from nearly the entire five years.

Nevertheless, John Paul II's case is still in the diocesan phase, which is the first phase. Since he died in Rome, the case is handled in the Diocese of Rome. That is, the point of reference is the Vicariate of Rome. Therefore, it is the bishop-vicar of Rome who must direct the procedure, and at present he is proceeding with the research.

All unpublished documents relative to John Paul II must be collected, for example, his writings, whether personal letters or diaries. Testimonies of the faithful must be gathered attesting to John Paul II's holiness. Those who are convinced he was truly a saint must go and are going to the Vicariate of Rome to give their testimony on John Paul II's holiness.

They must complete questionnaires and sign to attest to what they say. These testimonies will be part of the "positio" [report] that will be examined by theologians, doctors, etc. Therefore, for reasons of seriousness, all that is said must be signed by the one who says it.

The diocesan phase of John Paul II's beatification began in September, when this dicastery issued a decree.

It is not possible to know when the work will end, or how long this phase will last. And it does not depend on this Vatican dicastery. No one may intervene in the diocesan work under way.

Q: When, therefore, do you think the work will end?

Cardinal Saraiva Martins: This depends on the vicariate. In addition to the research the Vicariate of Rome is carrying out, there is also a rogation in Krakow. Research also began there.

The process will only reach the Congregation for Sainthood Causes when Rome's diocesan phase is finished; we cannot interfere given its seriousness.

Once this phase is finished, the whole dossier, all the documents collected, will be sent to the Holy See, to this dicastery. Then the second phase will begin, the Vatican phase.

Benedict XVI: On John Paul II's "Way of the Cross"

"His Agony and Death Were Like a Prolongation of Easter Triduum"

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 2, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave before reciting the midday Angelus today with thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square.

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Dear Brothers and Sisters!

On April 2 of last year, a day like today, our beloved Pope John Paul II lived during these same hours the last phase of his earthly pilgrimage, a pilgrimage of faith, love and hope, which left a profound mark on the history of the Church and of humanity. His agony and death were like a prolongation of the Easter triduum.

We all remember the images of his last Via Crucis on Good Friday: Being unable to go to the Colosseum, he followed it from his private chapel, holding a crucifix in his hands. Then, on Easter Sunday, he imparted the blessing "urbi et orbi," without being able to pronounce the words, just with a gesture of his hand. It was the most painful and moving blessing he left us as the greatest testimony of his determination to fulfill his mission to the end.

John Paul II died as he had lived, animated by the indomitable courage of faith, abandoning himself to God and commending himself to Mary Most Holy. We will remember him tonight with a Marian prayer vigil in St. Peter's Square, where tomorrow I will celebrate a Mass for him.

A year after his passing from earth to the Father's house, we can ask ourselves: What has this great Pope left us, who introduced the Church into the third millennium? His legacy is immense, but the message of his very long pontificate may be summarized in the words with which he wished to introduce it here, in St. Peter's Square, on October 22, 1978: "Open wide the doors to Christ!"

John Paul II incarnated this unforgettable call with his whole person and all his mission as Successor of Peter, especially with his extraordinary program of apostolic trips. On visiting countries around the world, when meeting with crowds, ecclesial communities, rulers, religious leaders and different social realities, he carried out something like a unique and great gesture of confirmation of his initial words.

He always proclaimed Christ, proposing him to all, as the Second Vatican Council did, in response to man's expectations, expectations of freedom, justice and peace. Christ is man's Redeemer -- he liked to repeat -- the only Savior of every person and of the whole human race.

In his last years, the Lord gradually stripped him of everything to assimilate him fully to himself. And when he could no longer travel, and later not even walk and, finally, not even speak, his gesture, his proclamation was reduced to the essential: the gift of himself to the end.

His death was the fulfillment of a coherent testimony of faith, which touched the hearts of many people of good will. John Paul II left us on a Saturday, the day dedicated in particular to Mary, for whom he always felt a filial devotion. We now pray to the heavenly Mother of God that she help us to keep as a treasure all that this great Pope gave us and taught us.

[After the Angelus, the Pope greeted pilgrims in seven languages. In English, the Holy Father said:]

I welcome all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors gathered in this Lenten Angelus. My special greeting goes to the delegation of librarians from Ukraine.

On this, the first anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II, let us commend his noble soul to God's loving mercy and pray that his tireless service to the Gospel will bear ever more abundant fruit for the Church's growth in faith, hope and love. Upon all of you I invoke an abundance of joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Copyright 2006 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana [translation by ZENIT]

Benedict XVI Screens Film on the Life of John Paul II

VATICAN CITY, MAR 31, 2006 (VIS) - In the Paul VI Hall yesterday evening, the film "Karol, un Papa rimasto uomo" (Karol, a Pope Who Remained a Man) was screened in the presence of the Holy Father. The film, by the Italian director Giacomo Battiato, recounts the second part of the life of John Paul II, the first part having been narrated in an earlier film, "Karol un uomo diventato Papa" (Karol, a Man Who Became Pope), screened in the Paul VI Hall in the presence of Benedict XVI in May 2005, shortly after the death of John Paul II.

  After the showing of the made-for-television film, the Pope expressed his thanks to Giacomo Battiato and his collaborators, including the actor Piotr Adamczyk who plays the role of John Paul II, for the "knowledge and talent" with which they presented "the central moments of the apostolic ministry of my venerated predecessor."

  "With this second episode of the film, the story of the earthly life of the beloved Pontiff comes to an end," said the Pope. "Once again we heard the opening appeal of his pontificate, which sounded out so often down the years: 'Open the doors to Christ! Do not be afraid!' The ensuing images showed us a Pope immersed in contact with God and, for this very reason, ever sensitive to the expectations of mankind. The film caused us to reconsider his apostolic journeys all over the world; it gave us the opportunity to relive his meetings with so many people, with the great ones of the earth and with ordinary citizens, with illustrious figures and with unknown individuals. Among all these, special mention should be made of his embrace with Mother Teresa of Calcutta, united to John Paul II by an intimate spiritual harmony. Horrified as if we were present, we reheard the shots of the tragic attempt on his life in St. Peter's Square on May 13, 1981.

  "From all this," Pope Benedict went on, "emerged the figure of a tireless prophet of hope and peace, who travelled the roads of the earth to communicate the Gospel to everyone. His vibrant words returned to our minds, condemning totalitarian regimes, murderous violence and war; words full of consolation and hope expressing his closeness to the relatives of victims of conflict and dramatic terrorist attacks, such as that against the Twin Towers in New York; courageous words of denunciation towards consumer society and hedonistic culture which aims to create a purely material wellbeing that cannot satisfy the profound needs of the human heart."

MASS ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF JOHN PAUL II

VATICAN CITY, MAR 28, 2006 (VIS) - In St. Peter's Square at 5.30 p.m. on Monday, April 3, Benedict XVI will preside at a Mass marking the first anniversary of the death of John Paul II.

  At 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 2, a year to the day after the late pontiff's demise, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Pope's vicar general for the diocese of Rome, will preside at the recitation of the Rosary in St. Peter's Square. Following the recitation, the Holy Father will greet those present from the window of his private study.

John Paul II Still Serves, Says Cardinal Dziwisz

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 28, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, Pope John Paul II's longtime secretary, wished to celebrate one of his first Masses as cardinal at the Polish Pontiff's tomb in the Vatican Grottoes.

The cardinal assured the faithful Monday that the deceased Pope "continues to serve the Church."

In a brief homily, when concelebrating Mass with several cardinals, archbishops, bishops and priests in the presence of numerous faithful, Cardinal Dziwisz, the archbishop of Krakow, said that "the 'cause' of Jesus of Nazareth, of the Son of God, continues."

"One of the great witnesses of this 'cause' of Jesus was the Servant of God John Paul II," the 66-year-old cardinal added. "A year ago we buried his mortal remains in the earth, precisely a few steps from here.

"However, we are acutely aware that he continues to guide us with his word, he continues to serve the Church and does not cease to confirm us in the faith."

That same day the new cardinal returned to Poland, and publicly gave thanks for "having been included as archbishop of Krakow, unworthy successor of St. Stanislaw, bishop and martyr, in the College of Cardinals."

Pope to Join Rosary in Memory of John Paul II

Event to Relive Last Moments of His Life

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 28, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI will join the rosary that will be prayed in St. Peter's Square this Sunday night to commemorate the last moments of Pope John Paul II's life.

The Polish Pontiff died at 9:37 p.m. on April 2, 2005. Some 60,000 people had gathered in the square that night to pray the rosary for the dying Pope.

Shortly after, at the end of the Marian prayer, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute of the Secretariat of State, announced to the world that "our Holy Father has returned to the Father's House."

The crowds, visibly moved, intoned the Salve Regina followed by prolonged applause. Most of the faithful knelt down, many with tears in their eyes.

These memories will be relived with the rosary, presided over by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the vicar for Rome.

Beginning at 8:30 p.m., the choir of the Diocese of Rome, directed by Monsignor Marco Frisina, will accompany the prayer with Marian songs and the reading of texts of Karol Wojtyla, according to a communiqué issued today by the Vicariate of Rome.

"At 9 p.m., the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, will appear at the window of his study and the holy rosary will be prayed," it added.

During the prayer, passages will be read taken from John Paul II's apostolic letter "Rosarium Virginis Mariae" and other of his magisterial texts.

Blessing

Around 9:37 p.m., the time of John Paul II's death, Benedict XVI will address the faithful present and will conclude the prayer with the apostolic blessing.

On Monday, a Mass marking the first anniversary of John Paul II's death will be celebrated in St. Peter's Square. Benedict XVI will preside over that Mass at 5:30 p.m.

That Mass is being celebrated on Monday since April 2 this year falls on a Sunday of Lent, which takes liturgical precedence.

In addition, Benedict XVI will remember his predecessor at a meeting with young people of Rome, on Thursday, April 6, in St. Peter's Square.

The pilgrim Cross from Cologne, Germany, will be received, in the context of this year's celebrations of World Youth Day, which will be held at the diocesan level worldwide on Palm Sunday.

Jewish Group's Publication Honors John Paul II

Anti-Defamation League Marking 1st Anniversary of His Death

NEW YORK, MARCH 27, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The Anti-Defamation League has issued a new publication focusing on Pope John Paul II's historic visit to Israel and the Middle East in 2000.

The publication aims to commemorate the first anniversary of the Polish Pope's death and to honor his unique relationship to the Jewish people and Judaism, the ADL said in a statement.

"Pope John Paul II -- Visit to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority: A Pilgrimage of Prayer, Hope and Reconciliation," includes selected passages from the speeches and presentations made by the Holy Father during his Mideast visit, compiled and with commentary by Rabbi Leon Klenicki, ADL's retired director of interfaith affairs.

Abraham Foxman, ADL national director, who wrote the introduction to the publication, said: "Pope John Paul II's outreach to the Jewish community will remain an important part of his extraordinary legacy."

"As a youth in Poland he related to Jews who were his friends and neighbors. As Pope, through his words and actions he condemned anti-Semitism as a sin, visited the Rome synagogue, a first ever for a Pontiff, prayed at Auschwitz for the Jews who died there at the hands of the Nazis, and established relations with the Jewish State of Israel."

Rabbi Klenicki, an expert on and participant in Catholic-Jewish relations for many decades, said, "As no other Pope in history, John Paul II will forever be recognized as the Pilgrim of Peace and the Apostle of Reconciliation.

"His prayer at Judaism's holiest site, the Western Wall, his visit to Yad Vashem to pay homage to the Jews who died in the Shoah, his meetings with the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Israeli officials and the Israeli people, were historic moments in his pilgrimage."