Chicagoland

Local Catholics ‘very happy’ about upcoming canonizations of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII

By Michelle Martin | Staff Writer
Sunday, July 21, 2013

Local Catholics ‘very happy’ about upcoming canonizations of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII

Chicago-area Catholics hailed the news that Pope Francis signed a decree July 5 clearing the way for the canonization of popes John Paul II and John XXIII.
Parishioners at Five Holy Martyrs Catholic Parish attend a "Mass in Thanksgiving for the Beatification of the Servant of God John Paul II". The late Polish Pope was beatified at the Vatican earlier today, bringing him one step closer to sainthood. The Brighton Park parish received a visit from John Paul II during his visit to Chicago in 1979, where he celebrated mass at the outdoor alter now enshrined to his memory. The parish school also bears his name. (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
A traditional Polish color guard parades a statue of Pope John Paul II during an open air "Mass in Thanksgiving for the Beatification of the Servant of God John Paul II" at Five Holy Martyrs Catholic Parish. (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
(Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
A catholic procession parades a statue of Pope John Paul II among parishioners at Five Holy Martyrs parish following a "Mass in Thanksgiving for the Beatification of the Servant of God John Paul II". (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
Tadeusz Kuczak wipes away a tear as parishioners from St. Hyacinth Basilica pray and sing in celebration of the beatification of the Polish pope at the Pope John Paul II statue located in the courtyard of the church following Mass. (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
Chicago Catholics stayed up through the night for adoration and to watch the beatification at 3am on jumbo screens at their parishes on May 1. (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
Parishioners from St. Hyacinth Basilica pray and sing following Mass at the Pope John Paul II statue in the courtyard of the church. A new sign was dedicated following the Mass designating "Pope John Paul II Ave." will replace Central Park Ave. near the church. (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)

Chicago-area Catholics hailed the news that Pope Francis signed a decree July 5 clearing the way for the canonization of popes John Paul II and John XXIII.

“The canonization of blessed Popes John XXIII and John Paul II will be a joyful moment,” Cardinal George said in a statement. “The history of the church is the story of holiness. It is a centurieslong saga of disciples growing ever closer to the Lord. Both popes now join the great chorus of those recognized publicly as friends of the Lord, witnesses to the transforming power of God’s grace active in human lives. This canonization will encourage everyone to stay on the path of discipleship.”

Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Wypych, who was ordained a deacon by Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope John Paul II, in Krakow, said the news was greeted joyfully by Poles in Chicago and around the world.

“I’m not surprised,” said Bishop Wypych, who is episcopal vicar for Vicariate V, which takes in the Southwest Side and suburbs, and is the cardinal’s liaison to Polish Catholics. “But I am very happy that the church recognized his holiness as a saint. He’s still not there, but he’s almost there.”

John Paul II will likely be canonized within months, eight years after his 27-year pontificate ended with his death and two years after he was beatified.

Seeing someone who lived in our lifetime elevated to sainthood is a blessing that previous generations may not have enjoyed, Bishop Wypych said.

“It is a blessing to me that I have known him and admired him from a very early age,” he said. “I’m grateful that the Holy Father gave that speed to the process that we would call the great man a saint.”

By declaring him a saint, the church will hold John Paul II up as a symbol of holiness to the entire world, Bishop Wypych said, and that is only fitting.

“He was the pope of the universal church,” he said. “He was not the pope for Poles.”

His beatification in 2011 allowed the church in Poland and in the Vatican — the areas where his ministry was concentrated — to observe his memorials, but to have such memorials celebrated universally requires sainthood. Still, having him become a saint is a “gratifying gift” to Poles.

“Obviously, it’s very important to the Polish people,” the bishop said. “He was a wonderful face to the world of the Polish people. People not only look up to him but admire and emulate him.”

Bishop Wypych said he hopes the canonization will remind people of John Paul’s legacy of focusing on human dignity, marriage and family and the theology of the body.

Viatorian Father Mark Francis, president of Catholic Theological Union, said he believes it is Pope John XXIII’s legacy of calling for the Second Vatican Council that led to the decision to clear him for canonization, with the need for a second miracle waived.

“It’s obviously the will of the present pope that he be canonized now,” Francis said, adding that the canonization recognizes Pope John XXIII’s importance to the church in the 20th century, with the establishment of the council.

Francis said he also sees parallels between John XXIII and Pope Francis, who both seem to want to emphasize turning outward to engage with the world, rather than focusing on the internal workings of the church.

“John XXIII was a person of a great deal of optimism about the world, and that seems to be a parallel between the two of them,” Francis said.

Francis said it is also significant that Pope Francis paired John XXIII with John Paul II for canonization. While John XXIII often seems more popular with progressives, and John Paul II is more beloved of conservatives, both are necessary.

“What he’s trying to do is bring these two figures together and saying this constitutes the church,” Francis said.

Jeff Taylor, who was appointed principal of Evanston’s Pope John XXIII School this summer, said the students and teachers will certainly celebrate the upcoming canonization, although it’s a bit too soon for any concrete plans.

“We’re very excited about it,” said Taylor, who assumed his post the same week the upcoming canonization was announced.

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