"I am happy. Be you, too, happy!"

Prayer of the rosary on the anniversary of the death of John Paul II in the Shrine of Joy, in Herxheim

Una vela en agradecimiento A candle, in thanksgiving Ein Licht in Dankbarkeit
Unidos con Roma, Schoenstatt, Aulendorf, Goya... United with Rome, Schoenstatt, Aulendorf, Goya... Verbunden mit Rom, Schönstatt, Aulendorf, Goya… Fotos: Dejon © 2006

GERMANY. Walter Dejon. On April 2^nd, at the same hour that John Paul II died a year ago, a last minute invitation convoked 17 persons who gathered to pray in Marienpfalz, Herxheim. After some words of motivation, the most important milestones in the life of the great Pope, and the events of this past year were recalled; then the Karl Leisner Rosary, asking for priestly vocations, was prayed.

In the year 1996, the Schoenstatters from Marienpflaz traveled by bus to Berlin, for the encounter with the Holy Father, at the beatification ceremony of Karl Leisner.

During this hour of prayer each participant lighted a candle at 9:37 p.m., the same hour that John Paul II died a year ago, consumed in the service of Christ, his Church, and for humanity. Then these candles were placed on the altar before the picture of the deceased Pope, along with all the petitions that had been prayed for during this hour, including personal petitions.