[jhw61]

The loss is so great. Pope John Paul II has been the Pope since I graduated from High School.....my whole adult life! It is hard to come to grips with a symbol of true, pure love and devotion to God who is dying as we feel we have never needed him so much in our lives as now. Although no one ever deserves our praise more highly than our Lord, this mortal man is so close to the Lord than anyone we will ever know of in our lifetimes that words cannot comprehend.

[Aggie Mama]

There was a picture posted yesterday that showed JPII in prayer looking as though in Agony. It reminded me so much of Christ's Passion. I know that he is always in prayer--something that I aspire to, but get so distracted by raising children and daily life.

[SolomoninSouthDakota]

Our hearts are one on this. I too graduated from HS the year he was chosen, the year of the three popes. That is also the year I entered the seminary. That, I suppose, is how my spiritual bond with him was formed. Entering into a new and somewhat scary path and having a new, vigorous, POLE!, as pope. Seeing him strengthen Solidarity, seeing his manly witness to faith.
BTW, just saw a bit on 20/20 and they were having a discussion on the merits of moving JPII's cause for canonization. That was surprising. An American bishop was saying he was sure John Paul II is a saint!