Honoring Two Beloved Popes (Sainthood of John XXIII and John Paul II)

http://www.ncregister.com ^ | April 21, 2014 | Jonathan Liedl

[NKP_Vet]

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims are expected to flock to Rome on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, for the canonizations of John XXIII and John Paul II.

But for those Americans who can’t make the trans-Atlantic trip, there will be plenty of fanfare and celebration stateside, as two of the 20th century’s most beloved popes become saints.

The jubilation will be particularly pronounced in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Home to more people of Polish descent than any other city except for Warsaw, Poland’s capital, Chicago’s Polish community will be pulling out all the stops to celebrate the canonization of fellow countryman Karol Wojtyla, the Krakow cardinal who became Pope John Paul II in 1978.

Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Wypych, the archdiocese’s liaison with Chicago’s Polish community, said the city’s Poles were "filled with joy" as John Paul the Great approached sainthood. Bishop Wypych added that John Paul II’s canonization is not only of religious significance to Poles, but is also a source of national pride.

"He is the most important person in [Poland’s] 1,000-year history," the bishop told the Register. "We’ve never had anyone like him … so he is the most important person for Poles, those who [are Catholic] and those who [aren’t]."

The canonization will also be meaningful for Bishop Wypych on a personal level: A native of Poland, he was ordained to the priesthood by then-Cardinal Wojtyla 35 years ago. The bishop said he is "excited and grateful" to have had such a close relationship with a man who displayed incomparable "integrity and consistency."

"He is my hero; he is my role model," Bishop Wypych said of John Paul II. "In so many ways, I try to imitate his approach as a bishop."

[Salvation]

Sainthood rites for John Paul II, John XXIII to be beamed around the world (3D in cinemas, for free)
(Pope) John XXIII and the Jews
Solemnity is the order of the day for John Paul II and John XXIII’s double canonization
Two (soon to be) Saints Who Smiled

Popes John XXIII, John Paul II to be canonized April 27th
Canonization date announced for Blessed Popes John Paul II and John XXIII
Pope Francis signs canonization decrees for John XXIII and John Paul II
Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II to be canonised
The St. Pius X - Bl. John XXIII Connection
Finally listening to Blessed John XXIII? (Latin for Seminarians)
A War Prevented: Pope John XXIII and the Cuban Missile Crisis
Blessed Pope John XXIII [Catholic Caucus]
Wants Honor for John XXIII - Pope Should Be Declared "Righteous Among the Nations"
Blessed Pope John XXIII and Vatican II on Respect for Human Life
Angelo Roncalli (Pope John XXIII) and Priestly Celibacy

[Salvation]

Still working on my links from John Paul II.