St. John XXIII and St. John Paul II
When elevated to sainthood this Sunday, it will be the first time 2 popes are canonized in the same ceremony - and it may be the first time a canonization is attended by 2 popes! (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI could attend!)I have been watching some of the programming on Salt and Light (Rogers Cable 240 in the Bolton area) and have seen many interesting stories about the humour of Pope John XXIII when he was in office.
- Visiting a hospital he asked a boy what he wanted to be when he grew up. The boy said either a policeman or a pope. "I would go in for the police if I were you," the Holy Father said. "Anyone can become a pope, look at me!"
- In reply to a reporter who asked, "How many people work in the Vatican?", he reportedly said: "About half of them."
- When a cardinal complained that a rise in Vatican salaries meant a particular usher earned as much as the cardinal, the pope remarked: "That usher has 10 children; I hope the cardinal doesn't."
- A Vatican official told the pope it would be "absolutely impossible" to open the Second Vatican Council by 1963. "Fine, we'll open it in 1962," he answered. And he did.
Because we have a school named after John Paul II - for our own parish this Canonization will certainly be a highlight. We have been busy planning for months a celebration to mark this great reality with all of the students of St. John Paul II school next week.
I will report back with all of the details!
Happy Easter
Christ is Risen - Risen indeed! Alleluia!
Peace
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