On Saturday, April 2, we marked the sixth anniversary of the death of the Holy Father John Paul II. Each of us remembers the moment when at 9:37 p.m. Archbishop Leonardo Sandri announced his passing with the words: “Our Holy Father has returned to the house of the Father.”
Today, we can say that this was the day of John Paul II’s birth into Heaven. We celebrate the anniversary of his death this year with joy in our hearts, as on May 1, the Venerable Servant of God John Paul II will be officially proclaimed Blessed.
On the anniversary of the Polish Pope’s death, friends and benefactors of the John Paul II Foundation gathered in great numbers for a solemn Holy Mass at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Greenpoint. The Eucharist was celebrated by Father Józef Szpilski, who, in his sermon, reflected on the Great Pope and the Great Pontificate.
A special moment for reflection on his pontificate, character, and holiness of life was a short film from the Holy Father’s funeral and beautiful photographs from the 27 years of his Petrine ministry. The youth and children from the Polish Supplementary School at Saints Cyril and Methodius Church, along with members of the Foundation’s board, prepared an artistic program in tribute to the Holy Father. They read excerpts from John Paul II’s poem *Roman Triptych* and works by young students from Poland who, in their poems, bid farewell to the Pope.
The youngest students, with charm and childlike simplicity, sang religious songs “Be Not Afraid” and “Trust in the Lord.” The melody was picked up by the gathered faithful, and the entire church was filled with joyful singing.
After the Mass, accompanied by priests and carrying lit candles, we proceeded to the monument of John Paul II to pray for his intercession and thank God that the founder of our Foundation would soon be declared Blessed. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the *Jasna Góra Appeal*.
In his address to the cardinals on April 20, 2005, Benedict XVI said: “Before my eyes stands above all the witness of Pope John Paul II. He leaves behind a Church that is more courageous, freer, and revitalized. A Church that, in accordance with his teaching and example, looks calmly to the past and does not fear the future.”
ZOFIA TWAROWSKA