[wideawake]

When Paul VI died, I was sent home early from Catholic school and I was sent home early one month later when John Paul I died and my mother got angry at me the second time because she thought I was joking when I told her why.

Then the Pope came to America and my mother went to see him. She was very impressed and moved.

Then the Pope was almost assassinated and my mother cried and I didn't know why anyone would do that.

As a teenager I remember feeling full of pride because our Holy Father (Father, that's right, Father) was staring down atheistic Communism.

I went to see him when he came to America in 1995 and I have never been in such an enormous crowd of people who were simultaneously so happy and so courteous to one another. His presence and words were quite moving.

When I was married in 1999 I went to Rome for my honeymoon and attended a papal audience. He was very weak even then and could not stand to speak, but he offered kind words in six languages and stayed past the official hour to bless a group of children from South Korea and give them rosaries.

John Paul II, pray for us.

[Salvation]

What a beautiful (and funny) personal testimony.

[antceecee]

When the announcement came that a Polish man had been elected Pope, I remember my Grandfather was filled with pride.
Over the years Pope John Paul II helped us to renew our faith and strive to be better Catholics.
This Pope loved Mary our Blessed Mother. This love strengthened my devotion to reciting the Rosary.
His worldwide youth conferences really touched my heart. This was a Pope who wanted to make a difference to future generations.
God Bless John Paul II (we will always love you).

[trisham]

John Paul II, pray for us.

***************

Yes.

Thank you for sharing your memories with us.