[STARWISE]

By the Grace of God, faith, courage, and a stubbornly resolute will to accept his suffering as an offering to and blessing to God, Pope John II lived far longer than his physical infirmities would have otherwise predicted. The man had sheer grit and an unshakable faith and indomitability .. so stubborn was he in his devotion to serving to the last possible moment he could, to his last breath.

I truly believe that this acceptance of suffering was his last chance to show the world the reality of the sanctity of life .. and the submission to God's will and dominion over the number of his and our days on this earth.

God Bless Him .. he seared our hearts and minds with the graphic photographic evidence of that devotion and suffering.. and left a memorable picture of suffering in the name of Jesus.

Publicly sharing his disability and pain was his choice... his last memorable lesson to us. He truly was a living saint among us ... how blessed we are that this great man came into our midst as our Holy Father on earth.

God Bless You Fully and Dearly, Pope John Paul II -- I love you and miss you. The election of your protege and close advisor makes Catholics relieved, grateful and confidently hopeful .. just as you planned for Holy Mother Church, for us and for him.

Long Live Pope Benedict XVI!

[antceecee]

Thank you for this beautiful post. I love the photos (duly saved to appreciate always). God Bless.

[padfoot_lover]

The election of your protege and close advisor makes Catholics relieved, grateful and confidently hopeful .. just as you planned for Holy Mother Church, for us and for him.

My better half and I were just talking about how we are sure Pope John Paul II is smiling down from heaven today! What a joyful day!

[onyx]

Oh those pics.
I am tearing again.
Thanks so much.