∦ Karol Jozef wojityla was born on May 18 1920, in Wadowice, Poland, the youngest of the three children. Although he was born in to a loving family, his early life was marked by suffering and loss. His elder sister Olga died in infancy. When Karol was 12, his mother Emelia died of kidney failure. His elder brother Edmund died heroically serving the people stricken with fever. Known to his friends as Lolek and growing under the loving guidance of this father, he was a vibrant youth, athletic, studious and a gifted theatrical performer.
"My father's words played a very important role because they directed me towards becoming a true worshipper of God" he once said. Later he attended krakow's Jagiellonian University in 1938 where he studied polish language, literature, theater and poetry. It was during this time that he met his spiritual mentor, Jan Tyranowski which changed his course of life leading him to the priesthood. But his studies were interrupted when Nazi Germany invaded Poland in Sept 1939.
Karol was forced to work in a stone quarry as well as night shifts at the Solvay chemical plant. During this time his father died of heart attack on Feb 18, 1941 and be became lonely in this world. He dedicated himself to totally to Jesus and Mary.
Again he joined the seminary and after completing the studies he was ordained alone on the Feast of All Saints in 1946. He then travelled to Rome to continue his doctoral studies. Upon his return to Polandhe was made assistant pastor of a parish in Niegowic, where he began his vital work with young people. On July 4, 1958 Fr. Wojtyla was consecrated auxiliary Bishop of Krakow.
Constantly concerned with the question of man, Bishop encouraged a spiritual and authentic resistance to the communist occupation of Poland, giving his countrymen hope in the face of grave oppressions.
He attended the II Vatican Council, beginning in 1962 where he provided a vital support to the documents of the council. His insights and gifts were also were of great help for the council. Soon after, he was elevated to the College of Cardinals. Cardinal wojtyla was elected Pope on October 16, 1978 and took the name John Paul II. He was the 263rd successor to St. Peter and had the longest pontificate in the history of the Church lasting nearly 27 years. His motto was, "Totus Tutus, I am completely yours".
Immediately, John Paul II went out to the entire world with a vigorous missionary spirit. He embarked on 104 apostolic journeys to 129 different countries, "to the uttermost parts of the earth"(Acts 13:47) for the sake of the Gospel. His love for the young people led him to establish world youth Day, celebrated 19 times which attracted millions of young people from all over the world.
On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was the victim of an attempted assassination in St. Peter's Square-shocking the world. He exhibited extraordinary love and forgiveness when he made a personal visit to his attacker Ali Agea. "In everything that happened to me on that day, I felt Mother of God's extraordinary motherly protection and care, which turned out to be stronger than the deadly bullet" (Pope John Paul II) Following his recovery, Pope John Paul II continued his missionary activities. Meeting with more than 17,600,000 pilgrims during general audiences and countless millions of faithful during his subsequent pastoral visits throughout the world.
Pope John Paul II was a prolific writer. Among his principal documents are many treasures of the Church. His writings included 14 Encyclicals, 15 Apostolic exhortations and 45 apostolic letters. With his emphasis on the universal call to holiness, he beatified 1,338 people and canonized 482 saints, more than all of the Popes in the last 500 years combined Throughout his pontificate, Pope John Paul II guided and prepared the Church to celebrate the great Jubilee, a celebration of the mercy of God and the forgiveness of sin, which began with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica.
Pope John Paul II successfully encouraged dialogue with the Jews and inaugurated a time of healing between Jews, Muslims and representatives of other religions. Several times, he extended an invitation for these groups to participate in worldwide meetings to pray for peace.
The last days of his life were of great suffering from different ailments. Thousands of young people were keeping eandle light vigil beneath the window of the papal apartment during the Pope's final agony. John Paul II whispered in response, "I have looked for you and you have come to me. Thank you" John Paul II died on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 2, 2005 at 9.37 pm soon after he had uttered his final audible words, "Let me go to my Father's house" More than three million pilgrims travelled to Rome to pay homage to the Pope On May 1, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI beatified Pope John Paul II.
"we can be sure that our beloved Pope is standing today at the window of the Father's house, he sees us and blesses us" (Pope Benedict XVI at the Funeral Mass for John Paul II, April 8, 2005)
John Paul II Matriculation School, a co-educational institution was started in 2007 by the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, St. Chantal’s Region, Tamil Nadu. The manager of this institution is the Regional Superior.
This school is a realization of a great dream, the dream of venerable Mar. Thomas kurialacherry, a great visionary, the Founder of the Adoration Congregation. It was his dram to renew the society, home and the nation through education of women. Inspired by his vision, we, the Adoration Sisters, started a school, I kulasekharam, in the name of Blessed John Paul II. The foundation was laid by Bishop George Alencherry, the then Bp. Of Thuckalay on 25th April 2005 and the School was started in 2007. This is a self financing institution. By the grace of God, now the school has grown up to Std X. It follows the curriculum instructed by the Govt. of Tamil Nadu.
It is a matter of great joy to us that Blessed John Paul II, the heavenly patron of the school was beatified on May 1, 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI and now he is called St. John Paul II.
JJohn Paul II Matriculation School, a co-educational institution was started in 2007 by the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, St. Chantal’s Region, Tamil Nadu. The manager of this institution is the Regional Superior.
This school is a realization of a great dream, the dream of venerable Mar. Thomas kurialacherry, a great visionary, the Founder of the Adoration Congregation. It was his dram to renew the society, home and the nation through education of women. Inspired by his vision, we, the Adoration Sisters, started a school, I kulasekharam, in the name of Blessed John Paul II. The foundation was laid by Bishop George Alencherry, the then Bp. Of Thuckalay on 25th April 2005 and the School was started in 2007. This is a self financing institution. By the grace of God, now the school has grown up to Std X. It follows the curriculum instructed by the Govt. of Tamil Nadu.
It is a matter of great joy to us that Blessed John Paul II, the heavenly patron of the school was beatified on May 1, 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI and now he is called St. John Paul II.
