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Statement from St Michael’s World Apostolate Saturday, April 2, 2005
This giant of the faith for our times who Jesus addressed as “Our dear Holy Father” (June 17, 1989) and Our Lady described as a “holy Vicar” (March 18, 1983), was 84 years old and held the third longest pontificate in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. He will be greatly missed but not forgotten. His deep, generous, and abiding love for Jesus and Mary and the Church Christ established upon earth, even in the face of unprecedented forces of darkness, was truly admirable and inspiring. Indeed, as Our Lady stated, “He is a good man” (June 30, 1984) in which St. Michael added “who is willing to suffer all for the salvation of souls and the good of the Holy Church” (November 1, 1985). The Blessed Mother would often refer to the Pope as “Our son” (August 21, 1985) and “Our child” (June 18, 1983). As Bayside devotees we have a very special kinship with John Paul II. We offered the Sunday Holy Hour for his intentions and, regularly, many prayers and sacrifices for his safety and protection because Heaven repeatedly warned us that he was targeted for assassination. We especially recall that Vigil when this Pope came to these sacred grounds in a vision to Veronica of the Cross, beseeching all: “My children of the world, pray for me” (September 14, 1985). In addition, it was our beloved seer who suffered enormously as a victim soul for John Paul II. Even if at times we may have questioned some of the Pope’s actions (or inaction)–perhaps he could have done more for Our Lady’s cause at Bayside or for the full restoration of Holy Tradition in the Church–we must not forget that this courageous man was battling every day the “diabolical disorientation” right there in the Vatican (i.e. the Third Secret of Fatima). On this first Saturday of the month we ask Our Blessed Mother, to Whom this pilgrim Pope consecrated his papacy, to take him on his final pilgrimage to Paradise. And as we prepare to celebrate tomorrow the great feast of Divine Mercy, instituted by this pontiff, we ask the Eternal Father to extend that great gift of mercy to His loyal servant and to remember all his good deeds so that he may join the blessed in Heaven forever and ever. May the soul of Pope John Paul II rest in peace. Amen. |
It
is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the peaceful passing today of
our beloved Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, on Easter Saturday in the
Year of Our Lord 2005.