J.M.J. Today is Mission Sunday. And it is also the backdrop for a very special event: today in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, Pope Francis will beatify the Venerable Paul VI, who was the Vicar of Christ and the Successor of Saint Peter from 1963 until 1978.
Recently, I wrote this about Pope Paul VI:
The virtues practiced by this saintly Pope were both numerous and inspiring. His good example continues to resound over thirty-five years after his death. Here is only a partial view of the pattern of holiness that he has bequeathed to us.
Prayer.
Pope Paul VI began and ended his days with genuine converse with the Living
God. He did not fail to set aside time for prayer and reception of the
Sacraments.
Love for Our
Lady. The Roman Pontiff affectionately looked upon Mary,
seeking to imitate her fidelity and humility. Pope Paul VI gave to the Church
his noteworthy meditation on Our Lady entitled, Marialis Cultus, which is his Apostolic Exhortation of 2 February
1974. He also made pilgrimage to Fatima in 1967 to see where the Mother of God
had appeared in 1917.
Forgiveness.
Aware of various hurts that he suffered throughout his life, Pope Paul forgave
those who wronged him and those whom he loved. His dear friend, Aldo Moro, who
was the leader of the Christian Democratic Party in Italy, was kidnapped and
brutally murdered by members of the terroristic Red Brigades in 1978. Although Pope
Paul minced no words in decrying their godless violence, he, nevertheless,
pardoned them.
Concern for
the Suffering. He respected the poor and the downtrodden.
Never did he consider himself to be superior to them. He knew his own poverty
and suffering. He encouraged the Universal Church and the world to take care of
the poor and the suffering.
Perseverance.
He relied on the help of God. His confidence in the Lord was strong. No matter
what load he had to carry, he continued along the Way of the Cross, sure that
the empty tomb was not far off.
Blessed Paul VI was a man after the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
May we meet him one day in Heaven.
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