FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Sunday 19th October : 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mission Sunday
The power of persevering, unremitting prayer is shown in the prayer of Moses and the persistence of the widow. Prayer is fruitful when it is the expression of the faith of the believer.
Wednesday 22nd October : St. John Paul II
(18/05/1920 - 02/04/2005)
Born Jarol Józef Wojtyla in Wadowice, Poland. He studied at the seminary in Krakow, was ordained priest in 1946, then studied in Rome. After parish work and university chaplaincy he again undertook further studies in philosophy and theology. He was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow in 1958, in 1964 Archbishop and in 1967 he was created a Cardinal. He took a significant part in the Second Vatican Council. He was elected successor to Pope John Paul I on 16/10/1978 and inaugurated Pope 6 days later on 22nd October. He was Pope for over 26 years. He was the first non-Italian Pope in 445 years and the first Polish pope. As Bishop of Rome he visited almost all of the Roman parishes and made apostolic journeys to 104 countries, including Ireland form 29th September - 1st October 1979.
On 13 May 1981 (feast of Our Lady of Fatima) a young Turk Mehmet Ali Agca made an attempt on the Pope's life. Seriously wounded, the Pope was operated on for 6 hours at Gemelli hospital. While reciting the Angelus at the hospital 4 days later he asked "Pray for the brother who shot me, whom I have sincerely forgiven".
He canonised more saints than all his predecessors.
He died on 2nd April 2005.
He was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome on 01/05/2011. Together with St. John XXIII he was canonised in Rome on Sunday 27th April 2014 (Divine Mercy Sunday) by Pope Francis. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was in attendance.
22nd October is the anniversary of his Papal inauguration in 1978.
Do not be afraid!
Open wide the doors for Christ!
St. John Paul II, 22/10/1978
I appeal to you, in language of passionate pleading. On my knees I beg you to turn away from the paths of violence and to return to the ways of peace.
Love life, respect life; in yourselves and in others.
Only peace can lead the way to true justice.
St. John Paul II
Killineer, Drogheda 29/09/1979
Thursday 23rd October : St. John of Capistrano
He studied civil and canon law and joined the Franciscan Order. A faithful servant of four popes, he attended the Council of Florence, went to Jerusalem as apostolic emissary, and in 11451 set out on a preaching tour through the German provinces and Poland. In a battle at Belgrade he contracted fever and died there. Patron saint of jurists and military chaplains.
Friday 24th October : St. Anthony Mary Claret
He founded the Claretians in Spain for missionary work. Archbishop of Santiago, Cuba, then returned as chaplain to the Queen of Spain, and built schools and museums before being exiled with the monarchy.
Saturday 25th October : Bl. Thaddeus McCarthy
He was born in 1455. His appointment as Bishop of Ross was opposed and Pope Innocent VIII then appointed him Bishop of Cork and Cloyne. He set out as a humble pilgrim to Rome where he was confirmed as Bishop of Cork and Cloyne. On his return journey in 1492 he died at Ivrea in Italy.