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Final Letter of Pope John Paul II to the Faithful
The Pope Blog | April 3, 2005

Posted on 04/04/2005 4:52:27 PM PDT by NYer

Final Letter of Pope John Paul II to the Faithful


Pope John Paul II's own words were read aloud by Archibishop Leonardo Sandri at the conclusion of the requiem mass in St. Peter's Square. It was the Pope's final letter to the world and was to be read by the Pope himself at today's mass of the Divine Mercy, had he been able. The Vatican has posted the text of this letter on its Web site. So far it is only available in Italian. I have translated it into English. Note that this is not an official translation, as none to my knowledge is yet available to the public.

After the solemn Eucaristic Celebration in suffering of His Holiness John Paul II, presided by the Cardinal Angel Sodano, the former Secretary of State, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, before he recites of Queen Caeli, gives reading of a text that the Holy Father had previously prepared in occasion of the solemnity of the Divine Mercy that celebrates the second Sunday of Easter.

Dearest Brothers and Sisters!

1. Resonate also today the joyful Alleluia of Easter. Today's reading from the Gospel of John emphasizes that the Resurrected one, the evening of this day, appeared to the Apostles and "showed them his hands and side" (Jn 20,20), that is the signs of the painful passion impressed in permanent way on his body even after the resurrection. Those glorious wounds, which eight days later made to touch to the doubting Thomas, reveal the mercy of God, that "he so loved the world that he gave his only Son" (Jn 3,16).

This mystery of love is at the center of today's liturgy of Sunday in Albis, dedicated to the belief of the Divine Mercy.

2. To all humanity, which at times seems so lost and dominated by the power of evil, selfishness and fear, our resurrected Lord offers in gift his love that pardons, reconciles and reopens the soul to hope. The love that converts the hearts and bestows the peace. How much need the world has to understand and to receive the Divine Mercy!

Lord, whose death and resurrection reveals the love of the Father, we believe in You and with confidence we say again to you this today: Jesus, trust in You, have mercy on us and the entire world.

3. The liturgical feast of the Annunciation, that we will celebrate tomorrow, pushes us to contemplate with the eyes of Mary the immense mystery to us of this merciful love that gushes from the Heart of Christ. She helps us so that we can comprehend the true sense of the paschal joy, which I found myself on this certainty: He whom the Virgin has carried in her womb, that has suffered and died for us, is truly risen. Alleluia!


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KEYWORDS: catholic; christian; holyfather; johnpaulii; jpii; letters; pontiff; pope; vatican
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To: UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide

No my friend,,,it was a fond expression, not a statement on the amount of work he did. Hoping for more as in, his writings are beautiful and soothing and healing,,,more of that.


21 posted on 04/05/2005 4:08:22 AM PDT by austinaero
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To: NYer
I found this translation of the Pope's Divine Mercy Sunday message at the Zenit.org website....

John Paul II's Posthumous Message for Divine Mercy Sunday: "The Risen Lord Offers as a Gift His Love That Forgives"


Date: 2005-04-03

John Paul II's Posthumous Message for Divine Mercy Sunday: "The Risen Lord Offers as a Gift His Love That Forgives"

Here is the message John Paul II had prepared to be read at the gathering of pilgrims to pray the Regina Caeli today, Divine Mercy Sunday. It was read by Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute of the Vatican Secretariat of State, following the Mass for the eternal repose of John Paul II.

* * *

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

1. The joyful Easter Alleluia resounds also today. Today's Gospel page of St. John underlines that the Risen One, on the night of that day, appeared to the Apostles and "showed them his hands and his side" (John 20:20), that is, the signs of the painful Passion printed indelibly on his body also after his Resurrection. Those glorious wounds, which eight days later he made the incredulous Thomas touch, reveal the mercy of God "for God so loved the world that he gave his only Son" (John 3:16).

This mystery of love is at the heart of today's liturgy, Sunday "in Albis," dedicated to the worship of Divine Mercy.

2. To humanity, which at times seems to be lost and dominated by the power of evil, egoism and fear, the risen Lord offers as a gift his love that forgives, reconciles and reopens the spirit to hope. It is love that converts hearts and gives peace. How much need the world has to understand and accept Divine Mercy!

Lord, who with [your] Death and Resurrection reveal the love of the Father, we believe in you and with confidence repeat to you today: Jesus, I trust in you, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

3. The liturgical solemnity of the Annunciation, which we celebrate tomorrow, leads us to contemplate with Mary's eyes the enormous mystery of this merciful love that arises from Christ's heart. With her help, we can understand the true meaning of paschal joy, which is based on this certainty: The One whom the Virgin carried in her womb, who suffered and died for us, has truly risen. Alleluia!

[Translation by ZENIT]


22 posted on 04/05/2005 7:31:49 AM PDT by ConservativeStLouisGuy (11th FReeper Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Unnecessarily Excerpt)
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To: ConservativeStLouisGuy
Thank you! The one I posted came from a blog; this translation is much better.

To humanity, which at times seems to be lost and dominated by the power of evil, egoism and fear, the risen Lord offers as a gift his love that forgives, reconciles and reopens the spirit to hope. It is love that converts hearts and gives peace. How much need the world has to understand and accept Divine Mercy!

Awesome! Someone commented today that JPII wrote 18 billion words in the course of his papacy - the equivalent of 3(?) Bibles.

23 posted on 04/05/2005 8:15:16 AM PDT by NYer ("America needs much prayer, lest it lose its soul." John Paul II)
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To: NYer

You're very welcome, FRiend! Keep posting those great articles! :-)


24 posted on 04/06/2005 4:25:44 AM PDT by ConservativeStLouisGuy (11th FReeper Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Unnecessarily Excerpt)
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