THE P RTAL
May 2014
Page 21
all over the world.
Floribeth Mora Diaz, accompanied by her husband, Edwin, presents the relic of St John
Paul II to to Pope Francis. Mora Diaz’s cure from an aneurysm in 2011 was the second
miracle in the sainthood cause of St John Paul (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
to say “men who displayed “boldness and courage””
for the Faith. Perhaps these are two qualities that every
Christian should aspire to, especially those of us in the
Ordinariate?
Pope Francis said, “Saint John XXIII and Saint John
Paul II were not afraid to look upon the wounds of
Jesus, to touch his torn hands and his pierced side.
They were not ashamed of the flesh of Christ, they
were not scandalised by him, by his cross; they did
not despise the flesh of their brother, because they saw
Jesus in every person who suffers and struggles. These
were two men of courage, filled with the parrhesia
of the Holy Spirit, and they bore witness before the
Church and the world to God’s goodness and mercy.”
He continued, “John XXIII and John Paul II cooperated with the Holy Spirit in renewing and updating
the Church in keeping with her pristine features, those
features which the saints have given her throughout
the centuries,”
Pope Francis called John XXIII a “servant-leader”
and John Paul II as “the pope of the family”, indeed
the Saint for the family!. Here he reminded us of just
how the family is under attack, and pointed us to the
forthcoming Synod on the family.
The Mass began at 1000 and by 1230 it was over. The
crowds began to disperse. However, Saint Peter’s would
remain open until late in the night for the faithful to
pray at the tombs of the Church’s two newest saints.
As the many in the crowd made
their way to the tombs of the
Church’s newest saints, others
headed for Saint Mary Major, or
Saint John Lateran. Still others, like
us, made their way to Saint Paul’s
without the Walls to pray with the
great Apostle of the Gentiles. Once
again the Metro was crowded, once
again people recited the rosary as
they waited, and once again Rome
had welcomed the world to its
doors.
We met two ladies from Newcastle
who had come on pilgrimage unaware – when they
booked – of quite what a momentous weekend this
would prove to be. We also spoke with some Australians
from Perth who had never seen anything quite like it!
The bars, the cafes and the restaurants would be
heaving with customers as pilgrims and tourists alike
sought a drink, a meal or both.
With so many packed into the city, what of those
who were unable to gain access to Saint Peter’s Square?
Well they need not have worried, the whole event was
carried in full on Italian TV, and our friends at “Salt
and Light” - www.saltandlighttv.org - did the same.
Indeed, the later provided a splendid commentary in
English as well.
You may also find reports of these events on the
Vatican web site and on the Vatican Radio web site.
These two men, John XXIII and John Paul II, were
in many ways very different; John born into a peasant
family in the north of Italy, John Paul from Poland and
for much of his life under the heel of a brutal atheistic
regime. Yet in other ways, they are complimentary.
They came to the Papacy at a crisis point; John XXIII
because the Cardinals felt that a “stop-gap” was needed,
John Paul II after the tragic and untimely death of
John Paul I, yet both more than rose to the occasion,
and served God and the Church to the very best of
their abilities displayed great courage and boldness:
and both had lots of Christian hope.
The Portal was present to see Pope Francis and Pope
For us in the Ordinariates, we can only claim their
Emeritus Benedict embrace, both before mass and prayers:
afterwards. This had been a truly unique occasion.
Saint John XXIII: pray for us.
Two Popes declared saints in the presence of a reigning
Saint John Paul II: pray for us.
pope and his retired predecessor! Present also were
representatives of over ninety different countries from
Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane in Rome
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