CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE WORSHIP AND
THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SACRAMENTS
SAINT JOHN PAUL II, POPE
Charles Joseph Wotjtyła was born in 1920 in Wadowice, Poland. After his
ordination to the priesthood and theological studies in Rome, he returned to his
homeland and resumed various pastoral and academic tasks. He became first
auxiliary bishop and, in 1964, Archbishop of Krakow and took part in the Second
Vatican Council. On 16 October 1978 he was elected pope and took the name John
Paul II. His exceptional apostolic zeal, particularly for families, young people
and the sick, led him to numerous pastoral visits throughout the world. Among
the many fruits which he has left as a heritage to the Church are above all his
rich Magisterium and the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as
well as the Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church and for the Eastern
Churches. In Rome on 2 April 2005, the eve of the Second Sunday of Easter (or of
Divine Mercy), he departed peacefully in the Lord.
Common of Pastors: For a Pope.
Office of readings
Second reading
From the Homily of Saint John Paul II, Pope, for the Inauguration of his
Pontificate
(22 October 1978: AAS 70 [1978], 945-947)
Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ.
Peter came to Rome! What else but obedience to the inspiration received from the
Lord could have guided him and brought him to this city, the heart of the
Empire? Perhaps the fisherman of Galilee did not want to come here. Perhaps he
would have preferred to stay there, on the shores of Lake of Genesareth, with
his boat and his nets. Yet guided by the Lord, obedient to his inspiration, he
came here!
According to an ancient tradition, Peter tried to leave Rome during Nero’s
persecution. However, the Lord intervened and came to meet him. Peter spoke to
him and asked. “Quo vadis, Domine?” — “Where are you going, Lord?” And the Lord
answered him at once: “I am going to Rome to be crucified again.” Peter went
back to Rome and stayed here until his crucifixion.
Our time calls us, urges us, obliges us, to gaze on the Lord and to immerse
ourselves in humble and devout meditation on the mystery of the supreme power of
Christ himself.
He who was born of the Virgin Mary, the carpenter’s Son (as he was thought to
be), the Son of the living God (as confessed by Peter), came to make us all “a
kingdom of priests”.
The Second Vatican Council has reminded us of the mystery of this power and of
the fact that Christ’s mission as Priest, Prophet-Teacher and King continues in
the Church. Everyone, the whole People of God, shares in this threefold mission.
Perhaps in the past the tiara, that triple crown, was placed on the Pope’s head
in order to signify by that symbol the Lord’s plan for his Church, namely that
all the hierarchical order of Christ’s Church, all “sacred power” exercised in
the Church, is nothing other than service, service with a single purpose: to
ensure that the whole People of God shares in this threefold mission of Christ
and always remains under the power of the Lord; a power that has its source not
in the powers of this world, but instead in the mystery of the Cross and the
Resurrection.
The absolute, and yet sweet and gentle, power of the Lord responds to the whole
depths of the human person, to his loftiest aspirations of intellect, will and
heart. It does not speak the language of force, but expresses itself in charity
and truth.
The new Successor of Peter in the See of Rome today makes a fervent, humble and
trusting prayer: Christ, make me become and remain the servant of your unique
power, the servant of your sweet power, the servant of your power that knows no
dusk. Make me a servant: indeed, the servant of your servants.
Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid to welcome Christ and accept his power.
Help the Pope and all those who wish to serve Christ and with Christ’s power to
serve the human person and the whole of mankind.
Do not be afraid. Open, I say open wide the doors for Christ. To his saving
power open the boundaries of states, economic and political systems, the vast
fields of culture, civilization and development. Do not be afraid. Christ knows
“that which is in man”. He alone knows it.
So often today, man does not know that which is in him, in the depths of his
mind and heart. So often he is uncertain about the meaning of his life on this
earth. He is assailed by doubt, a doubt which turns into despair. We ask you,
therefore, we beg you with humility and with trust, let Christ speak to man. He
alone has words of life, yes, of life eternal.
Responsory
R/. Do not be afraid. The Redeemer of mankind has revealed the power of the
Cross and has given his life for us. * Open, open wide the doors for Christ.
V/. In the Church we are called to partake of his power. * Open, open wide
the doors for Christ.
Oration
O God, who are rich in mercy and who willed that the Saint John Paul the Second should preside as Pope over your universal Church, grant, we pray, that
instructed by his teaching, we may open our hearts to the saving grace of
Christ, the sole Redeemer of mankind. Who lives and reigns.
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