Another Historic Date Sunday, April 27, 2014, was a historic day as we witnessed the canonization of Pope John Paul XXIII and Pope John Paul II. The world’s media provided extensive coverage of this historic event in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Italy, as Pope Francis proclaimed the canonization of St. John XXIII and St. John Paul II. There were thousand of events world wide to mark the occasion, and this newspaper features a few photos of Philadelphia area celebrations.

June / July 2014, Polish American News - Page 8

CANONIZATION OF THE GREATEST POLEJOHN PAUL II THE GREAT - A SAINT AMONG SAINTS

Report by Richard Krzyzanowski, Esq.

Pope Francis, accompanied by retired Pope Benedict XVI, has canonized two former Popes as saints in the Roman Catholic Church. The canonization Mass took place on Sunday April 27, 2014, in St. Peter’s Square in the shadow of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Concelebrating the Mass were 150 cardinals, 800 bishops, and thousands of priests from around the world. Over one million pilgrims participated in this solemn yet joyful Mass. Popes John XXIII and John Paul II are now saints, and Catholics worldwide may now pray for their intercession.

Poles around the world are proud that one of their own now stands as “a saint among saints” of the Church. Pope Francis defi ned John Paul II as a Pope for the family (il Papa della famiglia), for he spent all his priestly life in defense of family - that basic unit of humanity since time immemorial. Traditional family values remain the hallmarks of the Polish-American community.

A sizeable contingent of U.S. Catholics who have been assisting the Friends of John Paul II Foundation in the Vatican participated in the canonization ceremonies. We were privileged to receive VIP passes to be close to the altar where Pope Francis celebrated the Mass. It was an awesome and inspiring event which all of us will remember. John Paul II’s cries “Open the Doors to Christ “ and “Do Not be Afraid “ (“Spalancate le Porte a Cristo” and “Non Abbiate Paura”) will resonate and inspire us forever.

Photo of Cardinal Karol Wojtyla celebrating Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA, in August, 1976.

Thousands gathered at the National Shrine of Our Lady Of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA, on Sunday, April 27th, to celebrate the canonization of St. John Paul II. Participants also recalled the future pope, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla's visit to America's Czestochowa in August, 1976. A large statue of St. John Paul II is located at the front entrance of the shrine in Doylestown, PA, to welcome pilgrims. For more information visit: PolishShrine.com.

More information about the canonization of the two popes is also featured in the June edition of the Narod Polski.

http://www.wpbxrhuiqb9t7k.readnotify.com/tg/wpbxrhuiqb9t7lhttp/www.prcua.org/ and the PolAm Journal Newspaper at: PolAmJournal.com

Cardinal Karol Wojtyla at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA, in August 1976 receiving gifts during the Mass.

Richard Krzyzanowski, Esq. AttendsThe Canonization Of His Friend, Pope John Paul II

“Richard Krzyzanowski founded the Friends of John Paul II Foundation of Philadelphia, Inc. in 1981. He attended the historic canonization of two Popes, his friend, Saint John Paul II, and Saint John XXIII, in Rome on April 27, 2014. Mr. Krzyzanowski is also a member of the Board of John Paul II Foundation in the Vatican, Rome, Italy.”

Over one million pilgrims attending the Canonization in St. Peter’s Square.

A thousand people attended a special canonization Mass in St. Joseph’s Church, 10th & Liberty Streets in Camden, NJ, on Sunday, April 27, 2014. The Mass, celebrated by Bishop Dennis Sullivan, was fi lled with the Polish music so enjoyed by St. John Paul. Fr. Pawel Kryszkiewicz, Pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish, thanks all for joining their celebration. For more information visit: www.stjosephscamdennj.org

Thousands of people attended celebrations throughout the day on Sunday, April 27th, to mark the day when two popes became saints. Fr. Jan Palkowski, Pastor of St. Adalbert Church, Thompson Street and Allegheny Avenue in Port Richmond, Philadelphia, lead the Polish and English language celebrations. Cardinal Karol Wojtyla visited St. Adalbert Church during the Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia and celebrated Mass in St. Adalbert Church on August 2, 1976. He was elected Pope on October 16, 1978, and chose the name Pope John Paul II. For more info visit: stadalbert.org.