Readers Respond: Share Your Thoughts on the Beatification of Pope John Paul II

On January 14, 2011, the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints announced that Pope Benedict XVI will preside at the rite of beatification for John Paul II on May 1, 2011, Divine Mercy Sunday.

What are your thoughts on the beatification? Will you try to be in Rome for the beatification of John Paul II? How did John Paul II's pontificate affect your life?

(If you would like to share a specific memory and tell us in more detail how Pope John Paul II affected your life, please use the following form: Share Your Story: My Memories of Pope John Paul II.)

A Rare Opportunity

Today's Catholic has had a rare opportunity to have lived when two saints were with us on this earth. Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II stood out to all people, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. I feel blessed—who knows when this will happen again.

—Guest jazz

Beatification

Listened to both days of Pope John Paul's beatification on EWTN Radio and found it very lovely, very sacred and very peaceful. I especially loved how so many countries were represented in taking part in it. It helped me almost feel as if I was there, but certainly not the same experience. Such an honor and profound influence on me. Thank you & God's blessings.

—Guest fran niles

He Was Our Papa

I was in my 40's and was watching World Youth Day in Rome, on TV. The kids were chanting "Viva la Papa." That was the first time I realized he really was our Dad. After that, I always called him Papa. I loved his interaction with children. There was one priest who had many "children," that it made me realize that priests do have children, though, Spiritual Children. What a responsibility. Viva La Papa. Please pray for us.

—Guest Sheila Ryan

It's a Great Honor for Blessed John Paul

This great man of God visited us in Zimbabwe in 1988 and he really showed us his holiness. He preached reconciliation which has caused a lot of great changes to the country. It's a great honour to make him a saint. God bless him.

—Guest Tafadzwa Assumpta

Very Happy for Pope John Paul II

To me Pope John Paul II still lives. During every mass I find myself saying his name instead of Pope Benedict. I was not surprised about his beatification. I am very happy that he was beatified and followed the mass on TV. To me he became a saint the day he died. All the questions and doubts some people have are expected and just human. May he intercede for us. How do I get the relic of Pope John Paul II. I live in Uganda.

—Guest Jaclyn

Named After PJP2

I so admired & loved him, I named my 3rd child, 2nd son after PJP2. John Paul (first name) Trinidad (middle name/my maiden name) Mihaljević. My mother-in-law wrote the Vatican and we received a letter from a monsignor stating PJP2 was pleased and sent his blessing, along with a medal, directly from Rome.

—Guest lynette mihaljević

JP2's Visit to Solomon Islands

I was 11 years old when Pope J Paul visited the Solomons in 1984. I managed to persuade my dad for a ferry boat to the capital Honiara where the visit was taking place. I saw him in person on his popemobile and I was so blessed and happy that day. I knew he was going to be a saint one day, and now I consider myself lucky to have seen a saint of the church and pray he will continue to help the church. David, Honiara

—Pauku

A Saint From the Beginning

He died on Divine Mercy week on Saturday. I have a dear picture of him being held by our Blessed Mother. I don't pray for myself, just others. I need to pray to him to help me. God Bless John Paul.

—Guest evelyn Ramos

2003 Rome

In 2003, our Catholic Pilgrimage to Rome included a visit to the Vatican hoping to get inside to see Pope John Paul II. We got there just a few minutes too late to make it inside and we were practically right outside the massive entry doors. We were so close and our view of the outdoor televised screen tv was just as good as being inside! I was so happy! My eyes were glued to the Pope and just seeing him on screen brought tears to my eyes and heart because he really was there, "in person" because his humble, holy prayers and golden presence transcended the screen and made him as close to me as possible. He touched my heart with his goodness! You knew Heaven was surrounding him. It was a blessed moment I will never forget.

—mbvq12

A Great Loving Friend of God

I was able to be present at Shillong, Meghalaya, India in 1986 for the visit of Pope John Paul II. A great loving friend of God. He was humble and yet focused on his mandate of proclaiming the Love of God to all. I admire him as one who embraced and forgave the one who shot him. I admire him for the love that was deep which made him ask pardon for the sins of the church.

—Guest Fr. james thengathara sdb

A Man Full of Mysteries

This simple man of God has lived a simple life in a mysterious way. Why is he mysterious? Everything comes from God and everything tends to him. He live in a complete steadfast in Christ Jesus and protects the integrity and church's doctrine. He endured in midst of tribulations of all kinds, lack of good health inclusive, he's so much contemplative, prayerful and peaceful consciousness among nations. POPE JOHN PAUL II is a SAINT in deed. Kindly pray for the church.

—Guest Akerele Ignatius

I Knew I Was Watching a Saint

I was in high school in California, in the 1980's. A bunch of us pals, took a bus to Monterey, California to hear him. He was awesome and I knew I was watching a saint. I also thought it was wonderful that he visited Mexico frequently.

—Guest Sonia

Beautiful Even If It Rains!

I remember standing in the rain on Boston Common when the Pope visited our fair city. As part of his sermon, he said, "I greet you, America the Beautiful...even if it rains." And yes, while it was raining that day, the sunshine of God's love shined in our hearts.

—Guest Richard Clifford

There Are Too Many Unknown Gaps

I speak as a Catholic. There are too many unknown gaps especially in the early years of this pope. There are too many contradictions, controversies and unanswered questions in the 27 odd yr pontificate of this pope. While being indiscriminately inclusive of every one and everything, this pope excluded members of his own Catholic Church when they pointed out the dangerous errors which he promulgated and encouraged; the results which we can see today if we are true to ourselves. Sanctity in the Catholic Church is not a matter of being popular or a rock star. It a not a matter of PERSONAL HOLINESS. Sanctity in the Catholic Church is defined as and is total submission to God’s will in the VOCATION one is called to. The practice of heroic virtue in one’s state of life as Priest and Pope in PRESERVING and proclaiming faithfully to all people the unadulterated Gospel of Jesus Christ as handed down by the Apostles through the centuries; in having the courage to instruct, admonish.

—Guest Celine

A Dissenting View

Dear Sir, I feel it is only right to inform you, that many people who are members of the Catholic Church are not happy with the idea of Karol Joseph Wojtyla "Pope John Paul II" receiving beatification. Indeed of those with whom I have spoken, most believe he should - because of his past - never have been Pope at all!

—Guest Antonius