1. Beloved Pope to be Named a Saint on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2014

2.  John Paul II was second-longest serving Pope in history.(1978 -2005)  He helped to end the Communist government in his home country of Poland.  This Pope was considered one of the most influential leaders of the 20 th century.  He visited 129 countries during his reign as Pope.  He reached out to Protestants, Jews and Muslims alike.  He showed us how to bear pain and suffering in his old age.

4.  The Church decides to investigate the life of a candidate for sainthood to see whether he has lived a holy life.  They look at his writings to see whether they are consistent with what Catholic doctrine teaches.  They read about his accomplishments and listen to evidence that this person has lived a life of sacrifice and service to God. http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0136.html Saunders, Rev. William. "The Process of Becoming a Saint." Arlington Catholic Herald.

5.  Once a person has been judged to have lived a life of “heroic virtue” that person is declared “Venerable”  If a miracle is attributed to the intercession of the candidate, that person may be declared Blessed.  It is only after a second miracle, that a person is usually considered for Sainthood. http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0136.html Saunders, Rev. William. "The Process of Becoming a Saint." Arlington Catholic Herald.

6.  Two Miracles have been approved by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Cause of Saints The role of the Congregation is to investigate potential cases for sainthood and to decide whether the case may be referred to the Pope. http://saints.sqpn.com/congregation-for-the-causes-of-saints/

7.  First Miracle : A French Nun asked John Paul II to intercede and is cured of Parkinson’s Disease. Her Doctor’s declared she had been cured  Second Miracle : “Doctors have also said a Costa Rican woman was inexplicably cured after suffering a cerebral aneurism. She was cured on May 1, the very day John Paul II was beatified.” http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-john-paul-ii-to-be- canonized-this-spring/

8. April 27, 2014 is the day Pope Francis will declare Pope John the XXIII and Pope John Paul II as Saints The Church will celebrate these two holy men who made such an impact on the Church in the Modern Era

9. O Blessed Trinity, we thank You for having graced the Church with Blessed John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of Your Fatherly care, the glory of the Cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Spirit of love, to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with You. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore, knowing that he is numbered among Your saints. Amen. Adapted from :http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resources/john-paul-ii/beatification/prayer-to-implore- favor-through-the-intercession-of-blessed-john-paul-ii/