Web
site requests testimonials about late pope
By NADIA MARIA SMITH
CS&T Staff Writer
The third anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II is approaching,
and the Roman office promoting his cause for beatification is seeking
the participation of English-speaking Catholics.
What for? Stories.
The office that promotes the Cause for Beatification and Canonization
of the Servant of God Pope John Paul II says English submissions to its
Web site are far behind submissions in Italian, Polish and French.
The office launched its Web site — which is reached through the
Web portal of the Diocese of Rome — so that visitors can follow
the developments of the late pontiff’s beatification process.
On the site, visitors may read the documents pertaining to his case for
sainthood as well as testimonials from people throughout the world.
Those stories include the miraculous healing of Sister Marie Simon Pierre.
Pope John Paul II is being credited with curing the French nun of Parkinson’s
disease — the same disease from which he suffered.
Sister Marie was in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s and was seriously
debilitated in May 2005, when members of her convent prayed to John Paul
to intercede before God for her recovery. Her doctors were mystified by
her sudden and complete recovery.
If that miracle is approved, it would be the miracle necessary for the
late pope’s beatification.
However, a spokeswoman for the Roman office said a submission regarding
Pope John Paul II “does not have to be a miracle or something extraordinary.
We would like to hear and share stories about an encounter or a grace
received, or a hope.”
The spokeswoman noted that the section identified as “Testimonials
from the Faithful” on the Web site is very active in other languages
“but few English speakers seem to know we have a site and a magazine
where they can send these things.”
With the anniversary approaching, this is the time to remember him with
your personal story, which will appear on the site and in the magazine
Totus Tuus (All Yours). The title is the late pope’s motto, referring
to his dedication to Mary.
Subscriptions to the magazine are available through the Web site. Visitors
to the site may also request a second-class relic holy card, with a fragment
of clothing that was owned or used by Pope John Paul II. On the back of
each card is a prayer to implore graces through the intercession of the
Servant of God John Paul II. Visitors may also register their John Paul
II prayer groups, or ask one of the registered monasteries to pray, through
his intercession, for their intentions.
Now is the time to log on to: www.vicariatusurbis.org/Beatificazione/English/HomePage.htm.
Testimonials should not be more than one page, single-spaced. They may
be e-mailed to postulatio@vicariatusurbis.org with the subject line stating,
“I am giving my personal testimony.”
CS&T staff writer Nadia Maria Smith may be reached at npozo@ adphila.org
or (215) 965-4614.
Catholic News Service contributed to this article.