“My life is in God: It cannot be hurt or hindered in its expression”

Ernest Holmes,
The Science of Mind

Have you ever known someone with an unshakable faith? Someone who spoke and lived love and peace? Someone who made a difference in the lives of others, just by being who they are? Someone was brought forward to us in this lifetime. He was fearless, loved all people and paid special attention to those who were young.

This man was Pope John Paul II. Years ago I recall the Pope coming to the Detroit area on September 18 and 19 of 1987. He arrived in Detroit and his first stop was Hamtramck, where most of the population is Polish, as he was. He wanted to address all those in Hamtramck as well as those with whom he shared a rich Polish heritage. I was there at that time and the streets of Hamtramck were blocked off and filled with thousands of people and a huge festival celebrated the Pope’s arrival. Since I’m part Polish myself, I shared in all the excitement. The festivities continued until his next stop at Hart Plaza in Detroit where he was greeted by thousands of people. Then he went to the Silverdome in Pontiac to perform a mass in front of thousands of faithful gatherers.

Pope John Paul II exuded love and peace for all. He traveled around the world expressing love and compassion. He would also kiss the earth when he entered another country. With arms outstretched, people everywhere wanted to touch and connect with this holy man. Something that stood out for me as I look back on his life is the assassination attempt made on the Pope’s life.

It was May 13, 1981. A Turkish born gunman shot the Pope twice. Before he shot the Pope, the gunman said, “I have no choice, I must do this.” In comparison, the Pope said after being shot, “I have only one choice and that is to forgive the Turkish gunman.” In 1983 the Pope went to visit the gunman and forgive him. The gunman kissed the Pope’s hand. The Pope never discussed their conversation but called it “a historic day in my life as a man.”

Throughout the years the Pope developed Parkinsons and you could see his health deteriorating. He continued to offer blessings until he was too weak to do so anymore. Thousands and thousands would gather just for a glimpse of him in the window to receive his blessing.

On Saturday, April 2, 2005 at 9:37 pm Roman time, Pope John Paul II died. I recall staying up late a couple of nights watching all the reports on him. Then they announced that the Pope had just died. It seemed the world was stunned. People from every continent began making their way to Rome to be in the presence of the one they called “Father” and also known as the “Pope of all people.” He had published five books and spoke eight languages. He had visited 129 countries. I didn’t know all of his achievements until he had died.

He once claimed that one of his most powerful and heartfelt memories was when he was waiting to offer communion to Mother Teresa at St. Peters Basilica in Rome. Both were very frail in their physical bodies, yet both were pillars of spiritual strength and had an incredible capacity to love and reach out to their fellow human beings. These two people were a “communion of saints.” Joy, love and peace emanated from their presences and, in turn, transformed the lives of those they touched. Pope John Paul would often say, “Be not afraid of your faith; may God be with you.”

When John Paul II died, I watched as the bells tolled loudly, proclaiming his death. As people gathered together from all religions, they were worshipping the same God.

The Pope remarked, “When I die, the world will be silent about me. Keeping behind only one phrase: ‘I have loved.’

The afternoon of the Pope’s death I called my second cousin, Father Zyggie, a Catholic priest. I told him I was sorry about the loss of the Pope. We talked for awhile and as we did, he told me of some things I wasn’t aware of. He said that he had met with the Pope on several occasions: three times in the USA, four in Poland and two in Rome. They shared meals together and Father Zyggie told me how much he admired the Pope. He also shared with me that when he spoke to Pope John Paul, his heart pounded because of being in the Pope’s presence as well as both being from Poland. Father Zyggie commented that this Pope would be known as “Pope John Paul II, the Great.” Father Zyggie is an amazing person. He speaks and writes in many languages – English, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and German. He has also written 10 books… wow, I was really impressed.

Pope John Paul II loved many and was mourned by over 4 million people from all over the world.

How will each of us be remembered once we’ve left this earth? Are we living up to our potential? Are we affecting others in a positive way? It’s up to us – how we live our lives and how we’ve loved others.

I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world .

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Gerri Magee is director of advertising and public relations and assistant to the editor of phenomeNEWS. She continues to share her thoughts “On The Path” in this column. You can write her at gerri@phenomenews.com.