Pope John Paul the Great, RIP

Karol Józef Wojtyła, May 18, 1920 — April 2, 2005.

The bell in St. Peter's Square is being tolled even now, the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday.

.... Et dixit mihi: "Sufficit tibi gratia mea, nam virtus in infirmitate perficitur". Libentissime igitur potius gloriabor in infirmitatibus meis, ut inhabitet in me virtus Christi.... Ego autem libentissime impendam et superimpendar ipse pro animabus vestris.... (Nova Vulgata, Ad Corinthios Epistula II Sancti Pauli Apostoli 12:9,15a)

.... But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.... I will most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your sakes.... (New American Bible, 2 Corinthians 12:9,15)

Prayers for a Deceased Pope

Roman Missal

God our Father, you reward all who believe in you. May your servant, N., our Pope, vicar of Peter, and shepherd of your Church, who faithfully administered the mysteries of your forgiveness and love on earth, rejoice with you for ever in heaven. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Father, in your wise and loving care you made your servant, N., Pope and teacher of all your Church. He did the work of Christ on earth. May your Son now welcome him to eternal glory, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Father, eternal shepherd, hear the prayers of your people for your servant, N., who governed the Church with love. In your loving mercy bring him, with the flock entrusted to his care, to the reward you have promised your faithful servants. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Order of Christian Funerals

O God, from whom the just receive an unfailing reward, grant that your servant N., our Pope, whom you made vicar of Peter and shepherd of your Church, may rejoice for ever in the vision of your glory, for he was a faithful steward here on earth of the mysteries of your forgiveness and grace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

P.S. G. Thomas Fitzpatrick has posted texts from the traditional Office of the Dead: Vespers through Lauds.

Here is the statement by President George W. Bush:

Laura and I join people across the Earth in mourning the passing of Pope John Paul II. The Catholic Church has lost its shepherd, the world has lost a champion of human freedom, and a good and faithful servant of God has been called home.

Pope John Paul II left the throne of St. Peter in the same way he ascended to it — as a witness to the dignity of human life. In his native Poland, that witness launched a democratic revolution that swept Eastern Europe and changed the course of history. Throughout the West, John Paul's witness reminded us of our obligation to build a culture of life in which the strong protect the weak. And during the Pope's final years, his witness was made even more powerful by his daily courage in the face of illness and great suffering.

President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush walk into the Cross Hall prior to the President giving remarks on the death of Pope John Paul II at the White House on Saturday April 2, 2005. White House photo by Paul Morse All Popes belong to the world, but Americans had special reason to love the man from Krakow. In his visits to our country, the Pope spoke of our "providential" Constitution, the self-evident truths about human dignity in our Declaration, and the "blessings of liberty" that follow from them. It is these truths, he said, that have led people all over the world to look to America with hope and respect.

Pope John Paul II was, himself, an inspiration to millions of Americans, and to so many more throughout the world. We will always remember the humble, wise and fearless priest who became one of history's great moral leaders. We're grateful to God for sending such a man, a son of Poland, who became the Bishop of Rome, and a hero for the ages.

The president also ordered the American flag to be flown at half staff through the day of the pope's burial:

As a mark of respect for His Holiness Pope John Paul II, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half staff at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on the day of his interment. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations....

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Sat. 04/02/05 03:35:47 PM
Categorized as Pope John Paul the Great & Religious.