Catholic Fire

Pope John Paul II was eager to see that Padre Pio was canonized. The canonization to took place in record time on June 16, 2002. However, the two future saints shared a close bond long before the canonization process. Karol Wojtyla (the future Pope St. John Paul II) met Padre Pio (St. Pius of Pietrelcina) only once in 1947. At that time, he had been a young priest (for less than a year) studying in Rome.  He went to San Giovani Rotundo to meet the mystic with the stigmata and managed to have his confession heard by Padre Pio.  He also attended the famed Capuchin’s Mass. Apparently, the two visited and spoke at length, although no one knows the content of their conversation. In 1962, when Karol Wojtyla’s long-time friend, Dr. Wanda Poltawska, became seriously ill from cancer, the future Pope, wrote to Padre Pio, requesting prayer for her.  He had the letter hand delivered. The monk’s response to the messenger was: "To this one I cannot say no.” In late November, ...

The saint of the day for June 17th is Saint Albert Chmielowski - Founder of the Albertine Brothers and Sisters, and one of the saints who inspired the vocation of the young Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope John Paul II. Saint Albert was born on August 20, 1845 in Igolomia, Poland (near Kraków) as Adam Hilary Bernard Chmielowski. Born into a wealthy and aristocratic family, Adam was the oldest of four children. Actively involved in politics from his youth, Adam lost a leg fighting in an insurrection against Czar Alexander III at age 18. In Krakow, he became a popular artist and his talent in the subject led him to study in Warsaw, Munich, and Paris. A kind and compassionate person, Adam was always deeply aware of human suffering, and felt called to help those in need. Realizing that God was calling Him to a life of service, he returned to Krakow in 1874, determined to dedicate his talents to the glory of God. Instead of continuing his work as an artist, he decided to care for th...

November 4, 2013. (Romereports.com) The world remembers John Paul II as 'the great Pope,' a gifted communicator and powerful evangelizer. He traveled the world meeting millions along the way, but it was a small group of collaborators who worked with him day in and day out. When it comes to John Paul II's spirituality, his former collaborators shared details that up until now, where unknown to most people.   MSGR. PAOLO PTASZNIK Vatican's Secretariat of State “Every morning he would look at an Atlantis map and choose a country. For that entire day, he would pray for that nation and its people. He called it the 'geography of prayer.'” Msgr. Ptasznik was only 33 when he started working for John Paul II, but perhaps the person who knew him best was Cardinal Stanislao Dziwisz. He was Karol Wojtyla's personal secretary for almost 40 years. His latest book which translates to 'I lived with a Saint,' describes John Paul II not only as a Pope, but ...

October 21, 2013. (Romereports.com) Millions of people from all over the world followed this very moment: Benedict XVI declaring John Paul II as a Blessed of the Catholic Church.     BENEDICT XVI May 1st, 2011 “We concede that the Venerable Servant of God John Paul II, Pope, from this hour can be called Blessed. And that it is possible to celebrate his feast in places and according to norms established by law, each year on the 22nd of October.” At the end of September, Pope Francis announced that John Paul II will be canonized on April 27th. The miracle that gave way to his canonization took place in Costa Rica, the same day he was beatified. Since his beatification, a celebration is held every October 22nd to mark his life and his deeds. The date coincides with the inaugural Mass at the very start of his pontificate. This October will be the last time John Paul II is celebrated as a Blessed, since by that time next year, he will be a Saint of the Catholic Church.

The saint of the day for June 17th is Saint Albert Chmielowski - Founder of the Albertine Brothers and Sisters, and one of the saints who inspired the vocation of the young Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope John Paul II. Saint Albert was born on August 20, 1845 in Igolomia, Poland (near Kraków) as Adam Hilary Bernard Chmielowski. Born into a wealthy and aristocratic family, Adam was the oldest of four children. Actively involved in politics from his youth, Adam lost a leg fighting in an insurrection against Czar Alexander III at age 18. In Krakow, he became a popular artist and his talent in the subject led him to study in Warsaw, Munich, and Paris. A kind and compassionate person, Adam was always deeply aware of human suffering, and felt called to help those in need. Realizing that God was calling Him to a life of service, he returned to Krakow in 1874, determined to dedicate his talents to the glory of God. Instead of continuing his work as an artist, he decided to care for th...

A photographic exhibition entitled "Karol Wojtyla: Faith, Journey and Friendship; Excursions with Friends" was inaugurated in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Fatima, Portugal. The proposal was made to the Shrine of Fatima by the Polish Embassy and the Portuguese Catholic University. It was inaugurated on February 13th, commemorating the day of Sister Lucia's death. Attending the inauguration were Dr. Katarzyna Skórznska, Ambassador of Poland in Portugal, António Marto, Bishop of Leiria-Fatima, Father Virgílio Antunes rector of the shrine, and many pilgrims. “It portrays the life of Karol Wojtyla, who later became pontiff of the Church, during the years 1952 to '54 while he was responsible for pastoral activity at the University of Krakow. It is thematically organized in four journeys. The first is dedicated to the long walks that the one who would become Pope used to go on with the youth. Another is about skiing, a third dedicated to canoeing and, finally, a section...

Christ Glorified in the Court of Heaven Blessed Fra Angelico 1428-30 Tempera on wood National Gallery, London 834 - This day was declared to be All Saints’ Day by the Catholic Church. 1512 - The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel , painted by Michelangelo , is exhibited to the public for the first time. 1946 - Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope John Paul II , was ordained as a priest .