The Beatification Mass and Ceremony for Pope John Paul II will be held May 1 in Saint Peter's Square, followed by viewing of his remains inside Saint Peter's Basilica. Other events will be held April 30 and May 2 and the Vatican Museum will be open late starting today (except on May 1). Rome and the Vatican will be very crowded during this time.
Use our Beatification Ceremony and Events Guide to find out what's going on in Rome and the Vatican, help you plan your visit, or to find out how to watch the events from your own home.
More: Read the Beatification Decree on our Catholicism site or share your thoughts about the Beatification using this link.
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, reprimand and discipline. This he did not do as we saw in the outrageous sex scandal that rocked the church. He embraced those predators.
He encouraged irreverent and sacrilegious liturgical practices around the world resulting in so many confused Catholics. Heroic virtue is willingness to lay down one’s life for the truth Who is Jesus Christ Himself not seeking worldly popularity and adulation. A saint is one who shines as an example to be followed and imitated by all Catholics. All this John Paul II was not.
I can see the enemies of the Church just waiting till he is beatified to throw up some very dirty linen. Pope Benedict will not be able to say he was not warned.
Why dont you look at yourself? are you holier than John Paul? Do you really know what are you talking about? Why dont you go to the church and examine how you lived as a Christian. May you be forgiven to the things that you posted.
No offense Catherine, but you have no idea what your’e talking about.
Holy Father John Poul II is holy and deserves to be beatified. Catherine, it is ok to say what you think, however, at the same time you need to look deeper and find out more about the person. It is not only about what other people, and especially CNN or other-like media say about him. It is deeper. Why don’t you read more about him in Catholic literature and listen more to EWTN. You will know more. And in the mean time I am praying for you. God Bless you and everybody who will read that comment.
Catherine,
First, God Bless You. This message is for you:
Let the Lying lips be put to silence, which speak insolvent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
Psalm 31:18
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Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth, keep watch over the door of my Lips!
Psalm 141.3
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Keep the tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Psam 34.13
May the light of the Lord guide you.
Amen
To this Catherine,
Who are youtojudge A Pope like John Paul 2.what did you ever do on your life? People ran away from being a catholic because of people like you .
It is indeed about his personal holiness. Parkinson’s disease which afflicted him had been known by a close circle, years before it was made public. Visiting bishops were asked to not tire him. Do you think knowing this, that he really was informed of matters that were submitted to committees and in the hands of others. Could he really have been capable of attending to them. I believe he questioned the wisdom of remaining pope because of his health and age. He did choose to accept his vocation which became one of suffering and constant prayer for the Church and the world. Perhaps the offering of himself in this manner is a reason for what has come to light.
As to the Liturgy, changes began with Pope John XXIII and Vatican II.