austraLasia 1098
"Yes, Mario, I am you father too". Tribute to JP II
2nd April 2005 -- [As all men and women of goodwill, but especially Catholics, and we as DOn Bosco's family, prepare for the imminent return to the Father's Home of our Holy Father John Paul II, Fr George Plathottam from Guwahati Province has penned a masterly tribute. The full text is available at www.bosconet.aust.com and many readers may like to make use of it - George is happy for you to do so.]
"Pope's do not sing", the old priest was categorical. But this Pope was a different kind of Pope. Singing was an important part of John Paul's life. He once said 'song is a way of bringing together, of communicating, of getting across language barriers.
Perhaps no other Pope has had his white cassock sleeve cuffs covered with lipstick at the end of an audience. Who was this man, once Time Magazine's 'man of the year'? When elected Pope in 1978 the world knew little of him. By the end of his 26 year papacy his name was a worldwide household name.
Born May 18 1920 as Karol (fondly called Lolek by his mother), he grew up in a family deeply attached to one another. He loved football, long walks, canoeing, skating and especially skiing. He was brilliant but not a bookworm, according to a companion.
His mother died when he was nine - a few years later his older brother. Then the Nazi occupation. In 1941 his father died, leaving him the sole family member. He was nearly crushed to death by a German military truck. Karol learned to cope with suffering. "At 20 I had already lost all the people I loved", he once said.
But not the love of God. At 21, instead of following a career in acting or in Polish literature and philology, he began studying for the priesthood. In 1946 'Wujek' (little Uncle) as his young friends called him became a priest - and one especially for the young. As a preacher he was simple and much appreciated. His message was a life rooted in prayer and the values of the Gospel. By 1958 he was a bishop...then a cardinal...then....
As Pope JPII has made history in many ways. And the world has witnessed the quality of his human warmth. He was a master of crowds and his style has been distinct. "But behind the forceful public personality was a quiet reflective man, a man of prayer".
The warmth and joy of John Paul was best manifested when he was with the young. "I was formed by my work with young people" he said on his first visit to Poland as Pope. Amongst them he was a burly, benevolent, smiling, waving figure, never losing his authority, switching from laughter to prayer.
"But if it is true that you are my father, I would feel less alone. Is it true that you are my father?" asked Mario. With his hand, the Pope wiped away the tears on the boy's cheeks, caressed him and kissed him and said "Yes, Mario, I am your father too."
_________________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. Try also www.bosconet.aust.com and Lexisdb
