Saint John Paul II (feast day: Oct. 22) seems superhuman from even a quick glance at his life and the enormous contributions he made to the Church, to Poland, to Divine Mercy, and to the world. The reason for that is his fervent, persistent, mystical prayer life, which truly did make him superhuman.
Pope St. John Paul II was one of the most extraordinary and influential people of our times. His Feast Day is celebrated on Oct. 22. Join Br. Ryan Asensio, MIC as he shares an overview about the life of this impeccable modern saint, The Great Mercy Pope!
From the archives: Our report from Rome at the canonization of St. Faustina, 25 years ago today. Also, Pope St. John Paul II's big surprise for Divine Mercy apostles on that same day!
It was 20 years ago this week that St. John Paul II died, on April 2, 2005. "I remember the way the world seemed to pause and catch its breath, the way that even non-Catholics knew and cared what was going on," says Chris Sparks.
Episode 161 with Fr. Joe Roesch
Father Joe Roesch, MIC, Superior General of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, joins the Mercy Unbound podcast from Rome. You may recognize him from EWTN, where he moderated the Divine Mercy Sunday celebration from the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Mass.
In his tribute to St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) on her feast day, Sept. 5, Pope St. John Paul II described the key to her mission and inspiration.
What is Church teaching on when life begins? What does it mean to be a man? A woman? Can a man become a woman? Father Mark Baron, MIC, explains how the teachings of Pope St. John Paul II, called “Theology of the Body,” answers these questions and more. Then see how performance artist Mike Debus captures sacred images of the body on canvas right before your very eyes during his dramatic live presentations.
Two of the greatest mercy saints in the Liturgy — St. Faustina (Oct. 5) and Pope St. John Paul II (Oct. 22), both patrons of the Marian Congregation — are connected in many ways.
So many things and so much of life is acutely dangerous, tragedies like the war in Ukraine and the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. And yet, Chris Sparks notes, the whole of Scripture can be read as one, long ringing summons to move by faith beyond fear.
