Elementary Education: April 2011

The People’s Pope

Pope John Paul II will receive official beatification on May 1, Divine Mercy Sunday. The Vatican spokesman said Pope John Paul would be beatified primarily for the spiritual gifts of faith, hope and charity that were the source of his papal activity. Special care was taken with verification of a miracle attributed to the late pontiff — the spontaneous cure of a French nun from Parkinson’s disease — the same illness that afflicted Pope John Paul in his final years. Three separate Vatican panels approved the miracle, including medical and theological experts, before Pope Benedict XVI signed the official decree.

Pope John Paul II was known for his deep and abiding mercy (he visited and forgave the man who made an attempt on his life). In honor of Pope John Paul’s beatification, say a prayer that focuses on being merciful.

Prayer to be Merciful to Others

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful,
so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances,
but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors.

Help me, that my ears may be merciful,
so that I may give heed to my neighbors’ needs
and not be indifferent to them.

Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful,
so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor,
but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds,
so that I may do only good for my neighbors.

Help me, O Lord, that my feet may be merciful,
so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor,
overcoming my own fatigue and weariness.
My true rest is in the service of my neighbor.

Amen.

The Message of Divine Mercy

Near the end of his papacy, Pope John Paul II established Divine Mercy Sunday as a feast day to be celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter each year. Both in his writings and from the pulpit, he described Divine Mercy as the answer to the world’s problems and the message of the third millennium. Trusting in Christ is the central message of this special feast. True conversion means giving ourselves completely to the message and mission of Jesus as we strive to live each day with greater love and compassion. This Easter season, forgive an old hurt with the confidence that Christ loves and forgives you.

Papal quote

“Do not forget that true love sets no conditions; it does not calculate or complain, but simply loves.” -- Pope John Paul II

Taken from the May 2011 Take Out: Family Faith on the Go