The idea for the Center was born on January 2, 2006, as a response from the Church in Kraków to the words spoken by the Holy Father at the inauguration of his pontificate on October 22, 1978: “Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors to Christ!”
On October 11, 2008, Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz officially began the construction of the John Paul II Center 'Do Not Be Afraid!'. The cornerstone for the project, blessed by Benedict XVI during his first pilgrimage to Poland, was embedded in the church’s foundations.
The mission of the Center is to serve as a living memorial to the person and work of our Great Fellow Countryman. Its goal is to preserve and deepen the papal legacy and promote the values that John Paul II lived and taught.
Within the Center, several initiatives are already active: the John Paul II School of Prayer, the Adoremus prayer movement, and the New Evangelization School 'Sursum Corda'. The Center also hosts the John Paul II Institute for Intercultural Dialogue, the John Paul II University of the Third Age, and a Private Teacher Training Center.
The first phase of construction includes: the Sanctuary of Blessed John Paul II, the Volunteer Center, and the John Paul II Institute. The Sanctuary was officially established on June 11, 2011, by Cardinal Dziwisz. Although still under construction, the faithful can already attend Mass and pray at the Church of the Relics. Several Masses are held daily at the main altar, which houses the relics of Blessed John Paul II. The beautiful interior, adorned with paintings of major events from his pontificate, provides a reflective and prayerful atmosphere. One of the chapels contains the original tombstone from the Vatican, with a Gospel-shaped reliquary holding a drop of the Blessed’s blood. There is also a crypt with the tomb of John Paul II’s friend, Cardinal Andrzej Maria Deskur.
The church’s side aisles contain chapels dedicated to Marian images from shrines around the world.
Future plans include a museum dedicated to the life and work of the Polish Pope, a retreat house, a conference center, a pilgrim house, a rehabilitation center, and a meditation and recreation park.
The Center is located at J. Marcika Street 3, near the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki. The official mailing address of the JP2 Center is:
ul. Kanonicza 18
31-002 Kraków, Poland
tel. 011 48 12 428 64 71
website: http://www.janpawel2.pl
We encourage everyone to support the Center and visit the website to view the progress and development. You can also listen to Holy Mass broadcasts from Łagiewniki via www.milosierdzie.pl. You’re warmly invited.
Text for the New York John Paul II Foundation – ZOFIA TWAROWSKA