John Paul II’s 100th birthday a cause for celebration: Archbishop

On Monday, the 100th anniversary of Karol Wojtyla’s birth, much of the world will commemorate St. John Paul II’s amazing political achievements or his passionate teaching of Church social doctrine. 

While Archbishop J. Michael Miller is quick to acknowledge those worthy contributions, he will be offering special thanks to God for a particular gift of John Paul the Great: his holiness.

There’s no question, Archbishop Miller recognizes, that “John Paul’s achievements on the world stage were, quite literally, both staggering and innumerable,” from his role in the downfall of communism in Poland and Eastern Europe, to his promoting of truth as the guarantee of liberty.

But St. John Paul II was not canonized “for his remarkable secular or pastoral achievements,” said the archbishop. “It was not for what he did, but for who he was – a holy man.”

Archbishop Miller sees St. John Paul’s primary gift to the world as “the shining example of a holy life, one lived in obedient and joyful following of Christ.”

Indeed, the Polish-born saint’s entire life was framed from start to finish by Jesus’ gentle but demanding call “Follow me,” embracing the Cross with Jesus until the end, said the archbishop.

Karol Wojtyla modelled that sharing in Christ’s suffering and death his entire life, said Archbishop Miller, from the family tragedies of his childhood, to the trials of the people of his beloved Poland, through his ministry as a priest, bishop, and most specifically Pope.

“Every stage of his life – from student, athlete, and actor, to priest, philosopher, and Pope – was a total response to the Lord’s call,” said the archbishop.

Throughout all his trials, including the deteriorating health of his final years, “he resolutely carried the Cross with Jesus, following in his footsteps,” said the archbishop.

The archbishop understands why the world honours John Paul for his achievements as statesman and Pontiff. While still vigorous and full of energy, the world’s most travelled Pope journeyed to the very ends of the earth, guided by Christ, the archbishop said.

“He was known as the Pilgrim Pope, and with his compelling teaching, and somewhat theatrical flair, he never tired of pointing out to the world that when we let ourselves be embraced by the love of Christ, we are not repressing the riches of our humanity.”

John Paul’s more secular accomplishments reflected those essential characteristics, from contributing to the downfall of communism in Poland, to his knack for admonishing dictators, to his preaching of religious freedom as the cornerstone of all human rights, said the archbishop.

His pastoral achievements were no less impressive. “He sparked enthusiasm among the young, encouraging them to live according to the freedom and ideals of the Gospel,” said the archbishop.

He encouraged tens of thousands of religious vocations, fostered the beauty of the family, and preached a culture of life. Without ever compromising the apostolic deposit of faith entrusted to him as Pope, he showed respect for the world’s great religions and worked to bring about the visible unity of all Christians, said the archbishop.

“His legacy is immense, and the message of his captivating pontificate will live forever in our hearts.”

It is John Paul’s final years that are the most inspirational for the archbishop. “The Lord gradually stripped his vicar of everything, conforming him ever more fully to himself.”

Eventually John Paul could no longer travel or even walk, and finally he could not even speak. “His gestures and words were reduced to the essential: to the gift of himself to his Lord and to us,” said Archbishop Miller.

As Parkinson’s took hold of him, the disease itself “became his offering to Christ” while trusting completely in God’s mercy.

“That trust in God’s mercy was the source of his strength and, I believe, the reason he so loved the words ‘Be not afraid,’” the archbishop said.

For all those reasons and more, Archbishop Miller declared St. John Paul II the secondary patron of the Archdiocese of Vancouver in 2014.

“God gave St. John Paul II to us as Pope for nearly 27 years,” said the archbishop. “He was a father and reliable guide in the faith, a zealous pastor and courageous prophet of hope, and a tireless witness and passionate servant of God’s love.”

To mark the centenary of St. John Paul II’s birth, Archbishop Miller will offer a Mass in his commemoration Monday, May 18, at 12:10 p.m. at Holy Rosary Cathedral. The Mass will be livestreamed here.