St Pope John Paul II
St Pope John Paul II
Introduction
Today we will incorporate the relics of Pope St John Paul II, alongside the parish's celebration of Corpus Christi. A special liturgy will be celebrated to welcome the relic and to honour Pope St John Paul II. The blessing of the relic will be undertaken by Bishop Patrick Lynch. Wearing a stole, he will bless the relic and the faithful with a formula that includes the saint's name and the Trinitarian invocation. The ceremony encourages faith, devotion and spiritual growth.
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Introduction
The ceremony of introducing a sacred relic into a Catholic Church is a solemn and reverent occasion. It incorporates prayers, scripture reading and hymns. The process typically involves a procession; a solemn liturgical celebration, the respectful exposition of the relic to the faithful, who are then invited to venerate and/or kiss the reliquary. The relic is then placed in a designated place in the Church. These relics are not worshipped themselves, but are venerated as a tangible connection to the saint or holy event.
St Saviour’s is fortunate in that the relics of St John Paul II are designated first class (consisting of either body parts or blood). Veneration of relics is a way to honour the saints and to strengthen our faith, and when needed, to help seek their intercession for blessings and graces.
Saint John Paul II’s Papal Legacy
John Paul II presided over the Catholic Church for 26-and-a-half years, the third longest serving pope after St. Peter and Blessed Pius IX.
Remarkably for a Catholic Pope he was recognised as one of the world’s most influential political world leaders of the second half of the 20th century. Vibrant with energy, more than any other Pope before him, he traversed both the temporal and spiritual worlds as a major force.
He set a new missionary standard for the leaders of the Catholic Church. He visited over 130 countries, published more than 50 major documents, canonised hundreds of saints and was an active appointer of bishops.
St John Paul II helped bring an end to the Cold War through his support of [the Polish trade union] Solidarity and the Polish freedom movement. His commitment to freedom, coupled with the political support of US President Reagan and the leadership of the European Union, he began a landslide that wiped out Communism in Eastern Europe and eventually the Soviet Union. Incredibly, it came about without a shot being fired. His was a nonviolent revolution that was underscored by his strong faith.
In a world of competing economic and national self-interests, he was a powerful, intellectual voice for social justice and reconciliation.
His administration promoted not only the power of Catholic liturgy, but also a commitment to equality of opportunity for all people, and their right to enjoy legal and social protections as well as religious freedom.
St John Paul II will also be remembered for greatly improving relations between Catholics, Jews and Muslims, beginning an ecumenical dialogue which is still followed today.
A natural conservative, he promoted stability following some years of tumult in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. He also strongly promoted personal piety and honorifics to the Blessed Virgin, to whom he had a special affection.
Devotions to Saint John Paul II
Prayer for the Exposition of the Relics of Saint John Paul II
Holy Trinity, we thank you for the gift of Saint John Paul II, a beacon of faith and love in our time. We venerate his relics, symbols of his earthly presence and his enduring holiness. We ask for his intercession for the Church, that she may be strengthened in her mission to proclaim the Gospel and to bring Christ to all peoples.
We pray for the young, that they may be inspired by his example of courage, faith, and love for life. We pray for families, that they may be strengthened in their bonds of love and fidelity. We pray for peace in the world, that nations may turn away from conflict and embrace dialogue and understanding.
We also ask for his prayers for our personal intentions (mention your specific intentions here). May his example of faith and holiness inspire us to live our lives more fully in accordance with the Gospel, and may his intercession obtain for us the graces we need to follow in his footsteps.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Daily Prayer to St John Paul II
Help me, dear Saint John Paul, to remember that life with God is the highest and greatest of all goals. In every moment of my life, help me to be focused on my relationship with Christ, so that when my earthly journey ends, my eternal life with Jesus will begin. Amen
Litany of John Paul II
Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison,
Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
St. John Paul II, pray for us.
Immersed in the Father rich in mercy, pray for us.
United with Christ, the Redeemer of man, pray for us.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of life, pray for us.
Completely devoted to Mary, pray for us.
Friend of the saints and blessed, pray for us.
Successor of Peter, pray for us.
Guardian of the Church, pray for us.
Father of the Council, pray for us.
Supporter of Christian unity, pray for us.
Zealous lover of the Eucharist, pray for us.
Tireless pilgrim, pray for us.
Missionary to all nations, pray for us.
Witness of faith, hope, and love, pray for us.
Apostle of reconciliation and peace, pray for us.
Promoter of the civilisation of love, pray for us.
Propagator of new evangelisation, pray for us.
Master, calling us to sail into the deep, pray for us.
Teacher, who showed us holiness as a measure of life, pray for us.
Pope of Divine Mercy, pray for us.
High Priest of the Church, pray for us.
Friend and teacher of the youth, pray for us.
Promoter of human dignity, pray for us.
Propagator of the truth of the dignity of man, pray for us.
Lover of the liturgy, pray for us.
Devotee of the Cross of Christ, pray for us.
Spokesman and defender of the persecuted, pray for us.
Visitor of prisoners, pray for us.
Supporter of the weak, pray for us.
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, Lord.
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, Hear us, Lord.
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Pray for us, St. John Paul. Join in our proclamation that Christ is the Redeemer of man.
Let Us Pray
Merciful God, accept our thanks for the gift of St. John Paul’s II apostolic life and mission.
Through his intercession, please help us grow in love for you and boldly proclaim the love of Christ to all people. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen
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