Exceeding the Whole

When two organizations interact to the benefit of both, we say they are in symbiosis. A symbiotic relationship embodies the notion of the sum of the parts exceeding the whole. Togetherness magnifies effectiveness.

Such is the case of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center and the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. Both entities - one an archive that brings to life the faith experience of the Catholic Church throughout history, the other a congregation of priests and brothers working to propel the Church forward through the perilous fronts of the early 21st century - form perfect complements. Each has a mission that intersects at the avenue marking the direction and theme of John Paul's papacy: Divine Mercy.

An Undiscovered Gem
Dedicated in 2000 and opened the following year, the Center is one of America's undiscovered gems. Located in the nation's capital adjacent to Catholic University of America, the Center describes its mission "as a safe haven for those journeying on the road to Emmaus." It provides activities for adults and children, permanent and traveling exhibits, artifacts from the life and papacy of Karol Wojtyla, galleries of photographs and artwork, programs, conferences, and interactive technology that invites visitors to explore the Catholic faith.

The Center programming reflects John Paul II's wish that it be focused not on him as a personality but upon his message as Pope and the heritage of the Church throughout the ages. To that end, the Center explores the concepts and philosophy of Catholic thought, with an emphasis on inter-religious dialogue, something dear to the John Paul II. For example, last year, the Center promoted the annual message to Buddhists issued by the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue for the Feast of Vesakh, which marks the important events in the life of Gautama Buddha.

Divine Mercy Shows the Way
A key aspect of John Paul's spirituality was his intense love for God's mercy as it has been present throughout human history and made known for contemporary times through the mystical experience of St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun to whom, in private revelations accepted by the Church as authentic, Jesus revealed himself as The Divine Mercy.

The Marians of the Immaculate Conception have been promoting the message of Divine Mercy since 1941, less than 10 years after Faustina received her visitations, encounters she wrote about in her Diary. That book has gone on to become a spiritual classic. It details goodness as God's essential quality, goodness He extends to us in the form of boundless mercy and that He wants us to share with one another.

The Marians' work includes major examples of mercy in action, particularly praying for the souls in Purgatory, running missions in 18 nations, and assisting in local parishes in need of help. The congregation's formal motto, Pro Christo et Ecclesia (For Christ and Church), reflects their informal directive of "Serve where the need is greatest." This intention ideally matched the aims of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center. Plus, the Marian Scholasticate is located across the street from the Center, on the campus of Catholic University. Marian seminarians have been key in helping to organize Divine Mercy celebrations at the Center.

A Collaboration with a Purpose
"It's a collaboration that serves a particular purpose: to promote the message of Divine Mercy," says Fr. Kazimierz Chwalek, MIC, the Marians' Director of Evangelization and Development and one of the world's leading authorities on Divine Mercy. "Pope John Paul II believed the mystery of God's mercy is fundamental to the human race. The Holy Spirit, who gives us knowledge of who we are, allows us to experience Divine Mercy as a necessary element of our humanity. Without accepting Divine Mercy, we run the risk of not only living in misery and destruction here on earth, but we also risk eternal separation from God."

In 2005, the Marians, largely through the work of Br. Leonard Konopka, MIC, presented the Center with a Divine Mercy mosaic crafted by Dixon Studios.

"It quickly became evident that this mosaic was more than an object of veneration rather than display," says Center Director Fr. Steven Boguslawski, O.P. "After many conversations with Br. Leonard and Fathers Kaz and Seraphim [Michalenko, MIC, Director the Association of Marian Helpers], the Cultural Center became the venue for a monthly Divine Mercy celebration of the Eucharist, followed by a healing service."

Father Steven points out that attendance at the service "has climbed to a point where the Mass had to be moved to our John Paul II Theater, which holds approximately 200."

He says the collaboration between the Center and the Marians "deepened when [Executive Director of the Association] Fran Bourdon and Fr. Seraphim assisted us in the production of prayercards and the acquisition of a stained glass window. Today, thanks to the efforts on our behalf by the Marians, the Center stands poised to be the destination for Marian devotional groups from all around Washington." Father Steven also points to joint efforts between the Center and the Marians to spread the message of Divine Mercy.

"The Center and the Marians enjoy a productive relationship," says Cardinal Adam Maida, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit and President of the Cultural Center's Executive Committee. "By working together we can help share the life of [John Paul II] with the rest of the world, this man who stands for values that transcend culture and penetrate directly into the source of our dignity as children of God. Our partnership with [the Marians] joins with the spirit of John Paul in affirming a culture of life."

When Pope Benedict XVI visits the United States in April, he will stop in Washington. One of his meetings will be with representatives of other religions at the Cultural Center. That ecumenical encounter is scheduled to take place on April 17.

Transcending Religion and Culture
That visit is an apt one, not just because inter-religious dialogue was so dear to John Paul II but also because his legacy transcends any particular sense of religious or secular culture.

"Pope John Paul II became a dominant influence in Western culture, not just Christian culture," says Fr. Kaz. "He lived his life for the whole world. He offered himself up for all people, of all faiths and backgrounds. All human beings suffer. We want to be loved and accepted, and we experience these fundamental feelings and states in the same way. John Paul knew that, and that is why we, as Marians, are proud to be linked with the Cultural Center in sharing with the world the incredible depth of God's love for us."

Father Steven adds, "Divine Mercy has become integral to the outreach work of the Center. We recently refocused our efforts to create an international forum for the study of the words, wisdom, and leadership of Pope John Paul II. The Divine Mercy message was key to his papacy and continues today in the devotions of Benedict XVI.

"It was truly a blessed day when Br. Leonard Konopka approached the Center with an offer of a mosaic," Fr. Steven says. "In doing so, he opened our doors and hearts to the beauty of Divine Mercy."

The John Paul II Cultural Center is located at 3900 Harewood Road NE, Washington, DC 20017. The Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. On Sunday, the hours are noon to 5 p.m. The Marians of the Immaculate Conception are based in the United States on Eden Hill, Stockbridge, Mass., home of the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy.

Dan Valenti writes for numerous publications of the Marians of the Immaculate, both in print an online, including "Dan Valenti's Journal" at thedivinemercy.org.
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