Posted on 04/21/2014 7:48:08 AM PDT by 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 cant make the trans-Atlantic trip, there will be plenty of fanfare and celebration stateside, as two of the 20th centurys 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, Polands capital, Chicagos 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 archdioceses liaison with Chicagos Polish community, said the citys Poles were "filled with joy" as John Paul the Great approached sainthood. Bishop Wypych added that John Paul IIs canonization is not only of religious significance to Poles, but is also a source of national pride.
"He is the most important person in [Polands] 1,000-year history," the bishop told the Register. "Weve never had anyone like him so he is the most important person for Poles, those who [are Catholic] and those who [arent]."
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."
(Excerpt) Read more at ncregister.com ...
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Still working on my links from John Paul II.
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