Several posters read :"Proclaim him a saint now" and "A Saint now!" the multitude clamored.

Experiences in Rome during the days before the anniversary of the death of John Paul II

Tumba de Juan Pablo II Tomb of John Paul II Grab Johannes Pauls II. Foto: Jentz © 2006

ROMA. Father Alberto Eronti. Yes, it has been one year since the death on April 2nd and the funeral of John Paul II, "the Great", as many have said and continue to say within and outside of the Catholic Church. We still recall the interminable lines of faithful waiting to bid farewell to a man who loved them until the end of his strength, whom they considered as a father. For days now, an unusual number of pilgrims can be seen in St. Peter’s Square and Basilica and all around the Vatican.

They accepted the 30 minute to an hour wait as natural to arrive at the tomb of Pope Wojtyla. They all wanted to greet him, pray to him, ask him, but…above all say his name; since pronouncing the name of a loved one, is like bringing him close, having him, touching him, establishing communication and communion. More than 100,000 people are expected during the first three days of April. This is Rome! This is the heart of the Church! This is where one experiences the Family Church, the Church of the People of God in progress. What a contrast! On one side we see the religious crisis which is evident and on the other side we affirm that a "man full of God" is a "raised flag, a light on the mountain", and for this reason, Pope John Paul II is someone who has the power to convoke, gather and to make the gift of faith alive.

Posters with the picture of John Paul II

Rome is covered with posters of political propaganda for the different parties, since elections will be held on the 9^th and 10th of April. But, curiously, colorfully, and picturesquely the posters with the pictures of John Paul II stand out, with different acknowledgments, affection and gratitude. Surprisingly, it is again the youth. They are and will be present; they will not fail their "spiritual father". To see them is to relive their touching sadness of a year ago, to see them is to affirm that when a man sows in the name and of the love of Christ, the seed is not lost and be it in season or out of season it will give fruit.

Of the many scheduled events there were two that stood out. On Sunday, at 9 p.m., the Holy Rosary was prayed in St. Peter’s Square. Cardinal Ruini expressed, "that we want to relive the climate of intense prayer that accompanied the passing of Pope John Paul II". At the end of the rosary Pope Benedict XVI greeted the faithful and he gave his blessing from the window of his studio. On Monday at 5 p.m. a Holy Mass was celebrated for Pope Wojtyla in the Basilica, presided by Benedict XVI. It is estimated that besides filling the Basilica, many faithful will follow the celebration through the large screen in the Square.

I am all yours

A nice event took place on Saturday when an educational center named John Paul II was inaugurated. Speaking to those in attendance, the mayor of Rome recalled when he offered the Polish Pope the tile of the "Illustrious Citizen of Rome". The Pope responded: "We are Romans, let us do it and like each other well", and then he made a play on words using the name of Roma: "If we reverse the word Roma, what results is love!" (amour)

The Pope who used the words "I Am All Yours" on his coat of arms, wrote three years ago referring to her: "Let us place ourselves, above all, attentive to the Most Holy Mary…In her we see a world renewed by love. When we contemplate her assumed into heaven in body and soul we see a bit of the new heaven and the new earth". May the Pope who guided us to cross the threshold of the Third Millennium, bless us and accompany us. Amen.

Translation: Celina M. Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA/ Christi Jentz, Milwaukee, USA