Pope John Paul II Becomes a Saint!

What a glorious feast day! Divine Mercy reigns. Thank the Lord for His Goodness in giving us a a true pope, a true father, a true saint: Pope Saint John Paul II. This champion of Divine Mercy is canonized today, and without him there would not be a Mercy feast to celebrate. It was through him that Sister Faustina's diary was published and the Feast of Divine Mercy instituted for the universal church. He beatified Faustina in 1993 and canonized her in 2000.

Pope John Paul II facilitated access to God's Divine Mercy. Let us follow his holy example. We, like the pope, are called to live Divine Mercy. Not just today for the feast but every day. We live Divine Mercy in prayer, in action, in word, in forgiveness, in compassion and in love.

On Divine Mercy Sunday in 2001, John Paul II gave us this prayer at the close of his homily.

"Jesus, I trust in You!" This prayer, dear to so many of the devout, clearly expresses the attitude with which we too would like to abandon ourselves trustfully in Your hands, O Lord, our only Savior.

You are burning with the desire to be loved and those in tune with the sentiments of Your Heart learn how to build the new civilization of love. A simple act of abandonment is enough to overcome the barriers of darkness and sorrow, of doubt and desperation. The rays of Your Divine Mercy restore hope, in a special way, to those who feel overwhelmed by the burden of sin.

Mary, Mother of Mercy, help us always to have this trust in your Son, our Redeemer. Help us too, Saint Faustina, whom we remember today with special affection. Fixing our weak gaze on the divine Savior's face, we would like to repeat with you: "Jesus, I trust in You!" now and for ever. Amen.

Read a timeline of Pope Saint John Paul II's life and his ministry.