VATICAN CITY — Pandemic restrictions have upset plans for
pilgrimages and major public Masses celebrating the 100th anniversary of the
birth of St. John Paul II.
But it hasn't stopped book launches and an online film premiere
about the life and legacy of Karol Wojtyla, who was born May 18, 1920, in
Wadowice, Poland.
Spanish filmmakers were releasing a new documentary,
"Wojtyla: The Investigation," May 8 and Mario Enzler, a former Swiss
Guard now living in New Hampshire, has a book out by Newman House Press titled,
"I Served a Saint," reflecting on his service at the Vatican from
1989 to 1993.
While many people will be able to look back and remember key events,
iconic images and inspirational teachings from St. John Paul's life and
pontificate, the Vatican publishing house has released a book aimed
specifically at the countless young people, "who still know very little or
even nothing" about the saint, who died 15 years ago, said Alessandro
Gisotti.
"We thought it would be wonderful with a very simple, very
slick volume ... to be a gift, especially for the younger generation,"
Gisotti, the vice-editorial director of Vatican media, said in an online
interview with the Catholic television station, Telepace, May 5.
Titled "A Celebration: In Words and Images" of St. John
Paul, the 128-page book will also be published in English by Paulist Press.
Pope Francis, who wrote the book's preface, called his predecessor
"a great witness of faith, a great man of prayer" and a
"trustworthy guide for the church at a time of great change."
"So many times over the course of my life as a priest and
bishop, I looked at him and prayed for the gift of being faithful to the Gospel
as he himself gave witness to," Pope Francis wrote.
His 84 years of life and 27-year-long pontificate left a
"living legacy" to the church today, the pope wrote.
Gisotti said that Pope Francis wants people "to celebrate
John Paul, but not in a self-referential way, that is, with just something
commemorative, but to tap into the wellspring of this extraordinary man,
priest, bishop and pope."
What people risk forgetting, Pope Francis said, is how much St.
John Paul suffered: losing his mother, father, sister and brother all by the
time he was 21; living through the Nazi occupation then Stalinist persecution
in his country; multiple assassination attempts; and the debilitating effects
of Parkinson's disease.
Despite all that pain, he showed the world his strength rooted in
faith, "his smile, the joy, being happy along the road of life despite the
difficulties," Gisotti said.
St. John Paul trusted completely in God and, Pope Francis wrote,
the hardships strengthened an already deep faith he received from his mother
and father, whose sainthood cause was to begin May 7.
Pope Francis wrote that the message St. John Paul gave to young
people during his lifetime needs to resound among young people today: "Do
not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ."
Everything he did by teaching and living the faith concretely and
resolutely at every moment in life, "this is why it was right to remember
on the 100th anniversary of his birth this great holy witness of faith that God
gave his church and humanity," the pope wrote.
Well before the outbreak of the coronavirus across the world,
many cities, parishes and groups had planned major public events, pilgrimages
and Masses to celebrate the Polish pope.
Poland's bishops have now asked priests to celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving
for the life and pontificate of St. John Paul May 17 — a Sunday — and May 18 —
his birthday — in a way that respects
public safety guidelines.
Since theaters are still closed, Spanish filmmakers decided to
hold the premiere of their newest documentary, "Wojtyla: The
Investigation," online to a global audience May 8.
The film's producers were committed to not postponing the release
of the film because of the pandemic, said Alfredo Panadero, director of
marketing and communications for the film's distribution company, European
Dreams Factory.
"We believe it is important to offer the possibility that
this film about John Paul II reach every home in order to bring a true tsunami
of hope. Many people are suffering, and I am convinced that this film will be
of great comfort to them," he told La Razon
April 27.
"Let us not forget that John Paul II is the pope of the
family and hope," he said.