John Paul II - We Love You (1920-2005)
Thank you Holy Father. Today we have lost more than just a papa and a philosopher, but truly an alter Christo - another Christ. Thank you Jesus for sending this man to us for we have all been blessed by his presence.
I thought I was prepared for this moment and had felt no real sadness until the news of his passing. We have had years to prepare ourselves for this moment, but I will really miss him - especially his radiant love of young people. I am sad for myself, though truly joyful for the Pope.
At one point, according to Cardinal Pomepedda who went in to visit him, he asked those in the room with him not to cry, but to join him in joy as he prepares to stand before Jesus.
Please pray for the Holy Father and for our Cardinals that they will be moved by the Holy Spirit in the selection of our next Pope. If he is half as holy as John Paul II the Great (no longer to be called frail) we will be blessed indeed.
Known as 
You put it beautifully. My eyes are full of tears and I just had to explain to a platoon of soldiers why I am crying. They all immediately removed their headgear and knelt in prayer. God bless this man for the joy and hope he brought the world.
I also feel the strangest mix of joy and sadness.
I could not help crying at the news - and will probably cry some more over the next few days. But how profoundly greatful I am for the life of this man! And what a great intercessor I am sure we will now have in heaven in the months and years ahead.
In paradisum deducant te angeli,
in tuo adventu
suscipiant te martyres,
et perducant te
in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem.
Chorus angelorum te suscipiat,
et cum Lazaro quondam paupere
aeternam habeas requiem.
May the angels lead you into paradise,
may the martyrs receive you
in your coming,
and may they guide you
into the holy city, Jerusalem.
May the chorus of angels receive you
and with Lazarus once poor
may you have eternal rest.
Even we liberal Catholics love the man.
Nate
I love him so much, it's hard to let him go. I have a beautiful photo of my daughter reaching out to him as he passed near her in the crowd at St. Peter's. Her hands are outstretched as far as they could go but she could not reach him. She missed him by inches. That's how I feel right now. I want to reach out for him. I am full of joy, too, as you are because the angels and saints are celebrating his home comming. Can you imagine all those who were cannonized by him surrounding him in heaven!
Mary
Even to the end he was directing us to something higher....
I've heard from someone that he MAY be titled Pope St. John Paul the Magnificent due to his devotion to Mary. I would LOVE that name and I think it would be so appropriate. He truly was magnificent! We are privileged to have lived in his lifetime.
Being 23 it was very sad and strange to not hear the prayer for 'Your servant, John Paul our Pope 'in the Eucharistic Prayer.
Does anyone know what we will pray in the Liturgy of the Hours when it gets to the intercession for the Pope? Should we simply skip it? I forgot to ask my pastor about it today. I would be greatful if someone could tell me.
"Does anyone know what we will pray in the Liturgy of the Hours when it gets to the intercession for the Pope? Should we simply skip it? I forgot to ask my pastor about it today. I would be greatful if someone could tell me."
I think all prayers for the Pope are simply skipped during the interregnum.
I wanted to research this subject and write a paper. Your post what a thousand words would not. Nice job.