Posted on 05/01/2011 3:49:31 AM PDT by Biggirl
Pope John Paul II -- one of history's very most memorable -- took a great leap toward sainthood today when he was beatified by close associate and successor Benedict XVI in a huge, powerful, emotional ceremony attended by hundreds of thousands -- not as many as the three million who attended his funeral, but one of the largest beatifications in history.
With the faithful cheering wildly, Benedict declared the Polish pope "blessed" -- the fastest beatification on record, beating out even the rapid pace of Mother Teresa of Calcutta (by several days).
(Excerpt) Read more at spiritdaily.com ...
Thank you for this thread. I love this man. I am so glad he is being honored this way-I think the whole world fell in love with him during his tenure as the Pope. And with good, good reason.
....And sadly, Margaret Thatcher is the last one, and she is in ill-health, so much so that she could even attend the recent royal wedding of Prince and Princess Kate. When she passes on, another chapter will close indeed. God Bless the memories of Blessed John Paul II, Ronald “the great communicator” Reagan as well, and may God Bless and keep Margaret Thatcher in the remaining time she has left.
FNC is providing excellent coverage! This is a wonderful weekend and a much needed spark of real “hope”.
I forgot this morning to add, “the iron lady” in regards to Margaret Thatcher.
Thank-you, as well EWTN.
This weekend truly has been a major teaching lesson on the real meaning of the words “hope and change”, which have been used so much in the last few years for political purposes.
The (many) more than a 100,000 dead American soldiers, and the billions of dollars of American money, and the sometimes almost single handed fighting of a war for 50-75 years by this great nation, and the leadership of President Reagan. deserves the bulk of the credit for winning the war that we fought and died in.
While that is true, cannot count out Blessed John Paul II and Margaret “Iron Lady” Thatcher for doing their part also to make this a special team for a special time.
Of course, and you said it just right. Sometimes I comment though when I believe the balance gets thrown off some.
The United States paid dearly for generations, in blood and treasure to win that war, and Reagan was the unique leader that saved the West, the right Polish Pope, and the right British leader were of great benefit to us at the right time though.
How true indeed what you have said. I THANK all those who have served and those who gaved of their very lives for freedom.
Reagan, John Paul II, and Thatcher came in at the right place at the right time.
And Helmut Kohl deserves some recognition as well.
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