Pope John Paul II's own words were read aloud by Archibishop Leonardo Sandri at the conclusion of the requiem mass in St. Peter's Square. It was the Pope's final letter to the world and was to be read by the Pope himself at today's mass of the Divine Mercy, had he been able. The Vatican has posted the text of this letter on its Web site. So far it is only available in Italian. I have translated it into English. Note that this is not an official translation, as none to my knowledge is yet available to the public.
After the solemn Eucaristic Celebration in requiem for His Holiness John Paul II, presided by the Cardinal Angel Sodano, the former Secretary of State, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, before he recites the Regina Coeli, gives reading of a text that the Holy Father had previously prepared in occasion of the solemnity of the Divine Mercy that celebrates the second Sunday of Easter.
Dearest Brothers and Sisters!
1. Resonate also today the joyful Alleluia of Easter. Today's reading from the Gospel of John emphasizes that the Resurrected one, the evening of this day, appeared to the Apostles and "showed them his hands and side" (Jn 20,20), that is the signs of the painful passion impressed in permanent way on his body even after the resurrection. Those glorious wounds, which eight days later made to touch to the doubting Thomas, reveal the mercy of God, that "he so loved the world that he gave his only Son" (Jn 3,16).
This mystery of love is at the center of today's liturgy of Sunday in Albis, dedicated to the belief of the Divine Mercy.
2. To all humanity, which at times seems so lost and dominated by the power of evil, selfishness and fear, our resurrected Lord offers in gift his love that pardons, reconciles and reopens the soul to hope. The love that converts the hearts and bestows the peace. How much need the world has to understand and to receive the Divine Mercy!
Lord, whose death and resurrection reveals the love of the Father, we believe in You and with confidence we say again to you this today: Jesus, I trust in You, have mercy on us and the entire world.
3. The liturgical feast of the Annunciation, that we will celebrate tomorrow, pushes us to contemplate with the eyes of Mary the immense mystery to us of this merciful love that gushes from the Heart of Christ. She helps us so that we can comprehend the true sense of the paschal joy, which I found myself on this certainty: He whom the Virgin has carried in her womb, that has suffered and died for us, is truly risen. Alleluia!
14 comments:
How beautiful that the Pope's final message hits the traget so squarely on today's greatest shortcomings amongst us: -- "To all humanity, which at times seems so lost and dominated the power of the evil, selfishness and fear, our resurrected Lord offers in gift his love that pardons, reconciles and reopens the soul to hope. The love that converts the hearts and bestows the peace. How much need the world has to understand and to receive the Divine Mercy"
Each of us sins, and each of us can be forgiven at the drop of the hat. Christ loves us so much - and the miraculous portrait of the Divine Mercy displays just that. Faustina's gift is ours today. John Paul tried so hard during his papacy to tell of Chrit's boundless willingness to forgive and renew in us new life. Thank you dear John Paul for your courageous life. I love you, and will always love you. Next month, my newborn son will be named John Paul Wells.
How beautiful...and thank you for the translation. A deeply moving final message....
I've been reading your pope blog the past few days since I found it linked to the AOL journal page. I plan to go back to your older entries that are now archived...you've done a wonderful job with this blog.
Thank you for the translation of the Pope's last letter. Truely remarkable.
I copied it to my homepage as a tribute with credit linked back to your site. Thank you in advance.
Regards,
gesses
gesses,
Thank you for helping me spread the Pope's words. And to everyone else, please feel free to copy this text onto your own sites as gesses has.
God Bless you.Thank you for translating the beautiful message from the Pope.He will be truly missed.He was a great Pope and man.
Love,Trisha from NYS
The Pope was beloved around the world. I cried upon hearing of his passing. He was to me a symbol of the good that exists in this world.
This is a GREAT blog. May God shower His graces upon everyone involved with this site and their loved ones. Everyone. And cheer up, dear brothers and sisters, our beloved JP II left the Church in a grand shape, ready to face the future with lots of optimism. As for the Pope himself, well, right now he's in the highest part of Heaven, the highest where a mere creature can reach. So, smile for him :)
Jimbo, I like the design of your blog. Reminds me of the Vatican's web site design.
Thank you for the translation of the Pope's final letter. It's beautiful and I plan to link to it once I return home. I didn't expect to be as sad as I am now, and I'm very much moved by the global outpouring of grief.
God Bless You All.
I too would like to chime in a thank you for your translating this beautiful, final letter from our beloved PJPII!
Thank you too for this blog - I have read for a number of months - linked from Amy's - Open Book!
biz
Thank you for the translation. I apologize for the lack of blog etiquette, but I am trying to find a transcript of a letter the Pope wrote concerning the acceptance of the Papacy by whomever is elected in the coming weeks. The letter was read in a sermon this passed Sunday (4/3). The priest began, "In [the Pope's] final exhortation...". I know that is not a lot to go on, but I would appreciate any help you could give.
wow! it is a beautiful message for all of us. his is what the world needs. to accept that God is merciful. we in turn must show mercy for all. yes, jpII's greatness is in his humanity. thanks for the translation.
yoyorebucias
philippines
Thank you for your translation. And may we all bear witness to God's words as he our departed Pope did so couragiously time and again. Indeed, we are not afraid anymore as he would have loved us to be ( not afraid, that is)and as he constantly reminded us from his first day as our Pope" Do not be afraid" !
Please all who read this , I beg pray fervently during the choosing of the next Pope. Unceasingly so, no matter our spiritual state. They are few but very critical days and Our prayers will call on the Holy Spirit to guide the Cardinals for God's will to be done on earth and the future of His Church. Please I beg again, pray, pray pray. And ask others to pray too during the course of the conclave.It will be our act of courage,hope and trust calling on God's Divine mercy. Thank you. And thanks to all the others who have shared and added comments. We encourage one another this way.
Pope John Paull II, is God's representative to us... God showed us how much He loves us and He sent that loving message and "reminders" through the Pope's message. I feel very blessed as I reeived the blessing of the Pope for the last time while watching the telecast of the Easter Mass at the Vatican. Indeed, despite of his being very sick.. he showed how much he care to all the people of God. To our dear beloved Pope, the special children in my class prayed the rosary evey day for you... and we will continue praying for you until we meet you in heaven. Thank you for the love you gave us...
JPII the great has shown around the world great courage and faith. he will be missed by the billions here on earth, but fear not he will be blessing us all from gods window in heaven:)
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