The 30^th anniversary of the John Paul II Foundation was organized in Rome from October 22^nd through October 24^th. For the jubilee’s celebrations, benefactors, friends and members of the 46 Foundation Chapters operating in 18 countries came to the Eternal City. Among them was the John Paul II Foundation New York Chapter board with the chairman, Mieczyslaw Pajak along with members and friends.

The John Paul II Foundation was established by John Paul II with a Papal decree on October 16, 1981. In the decree the following goals were listed: “Promoting through their support, material and otherwise, initiatives of a religious, cultural, pastoral and charitable nature.” The Foundation collects documentation and disseminates the teachings of John Paul II. It is also involved in preservation and development of Christian heritage and culture, provides financial assistance and scholarships to young people from Eastern Europe who study at the Lublin Catholic University and the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Cracow, and helps pilgrims from Poland and other countries who visit Rome.  All of the Foundation’s goals are realized through the following specialized institutions: Secretariat of the Foundation, John Paul II Polish House, and the Center for Documentation and Research of the Pontificate of John Paul II which are located in Rome and the John Paul II Foundation Home in Lublin.

The 30^th anniversary celebrations started with a Holy Mass at the St. Peter’s Basilica. The Eucharist at altar of the St. Peter’s Basilica was celebrated by the closest Witness of the John Paul II pontificate, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz. The Eucharist was co-celebrated by the Primate Jozef Kowalczyk, Senior Primate Jozef Glemp, Archbishop Szczepan Wesoly, the President of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko and more than one hundred twenty other priest who came for this celebration. We were witnessing a historic event, as the Foundation’s jubilee celebrations on October 22^nd coincided with the first liturgical remembrance of the Blessed John Paul II. In the homily, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz said: “By the decision of the Holy Father, Benedict XVI the liturgical memorial of the Blessed Guide falls at the anniversary of the John Paul II inauguration of His pontificate.  At the time John Paul II depicted the program of his pastoral service with the words that hit our hearts: “Do not be afraid!”  and “Open wide the door to Christ.” “So often – was saying then the new Pope – today man does not know what is within him, in the depths of his mind and heart. So often he is uncertain about the meaning of his life on this earth.  He is assailed by doubt, a doubt which turns into despair. We ask you therefore, we beg you with humility and trust, let Christ speak to man.  He alone has words of life, yes, of eternal life.” (October 22, 1978, n. 5)  John Paul II was pointing out to Jesus Christ as the only and final answer for the most important questions that a man may have, for the most important issues of the world.”

We experienced a special emotional moment at the Blessed John Paul II tomb during our join prayer which was held after the solemn procession at the end of the Holy Mass. (Many of us were present at the Beatification Mass on May 1^st, when Pope Benedict XVI pronounced John Paul II Blessed. Also, memories came back from the time when were remaining in a prayerful contemplation by the coffin with the body of the Blessed John Paul II in the Basilica.) By the altar of our beloved Pope, we prayed in the intention of all of the Foundation’s benefactors and friends.

On the same day in the evening hours, at the Chapel in the Polish House at Via Cassia, a Liturgy of the Word was celebrated by the President of the Board of Directors, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko. Cardinal expressed gratitude for the John Paul II elevation to the altars. Then, the official unveiling of the IX Foundation’s Benefactors Plaque took place. Among the benefactors whose names were inscribed on the plaque, the name of the John Paul II Foundation New York Chapter was also visible. In the garden of the Polish House, Sisters of the Sacred Heart prepared a banquet during which performances of various artists from around the world: group Maki from New Jersey, USA, dance group from Indonesia and a solo performance of the youngest artist Julia Dembowska from Toronto, Canada, added splendor. It was a time of a gathering and sharing experiences among guests from around the world who came for the Foundation’s jubilee.  Young people from “Maki” group in beautiful traditional Polish and folk costumes danced traditional Polish dances and a medley of folk dances. All guests were amazed by the vivacity and diversity of dances and colorful costumes. We will remember their performance for a long time. Equally interesting, an exotic presentation was performed by the Indonesian group, which from the beginning of their existence are always present at the Foundation’s meetings. The Indonesian group, who performed in their national costumes, presented a verbal and music program dedicated to the Great Pope.

On the second day of the jubilee celebrations, in the afternoon hours, a Holy Mass was celebrated at the Holy Spirit Church.   The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Jozef Kowalczyk. The Holy Sacrifice at the Eucharistic table along with the Archbishop was celebrated by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, and Archbishop Szczepan Wesoly with many other priests.   The homily was delivered by Primate Jozef Kowalczyk. In His homily, the Primate related to the John Paul II beatification celebrations which were held on May 1^st at the St. Peter’s Square in Rome.

For the guests who came for the 30^th anniversary of the John Paul II Foundation, there was a celebratory dinner at the Giannicolo restaurant. Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko expressed His gratitude to all pilgrims who came for the jubilee celebrations: “With the trip to this place, you documented your love to John Paul II; you are providing a certificate of your love through your involvement in the Foundation’s Chapters which are realizing John Paul II goals.” Then, the Cardinal presented the memorable medals to all Directors of the Foundation Chapters. A picture with the Blessed John Paul II and a small piece of the relic with a prayer and the date of the 30^th anniversary meeting were our touchable reminders.

In the evening, in the Chiesa Nuova Church by Via Vittorio Emanuele we participated in a beautiful classical music concert in the homage to the Blessed John Paul II. During the concert we were listening to Bach, Mozart, Liszt, Gounod and Vivaldi’s masterpieces.

The crowning event of the anniversary celebrations for the benefactors, members and friends of the Foundation was the audience with the Holy Father Benedict XVI which took place in the Clementine Hall. In the Foundation’s name, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko welcomed the Holy Father. After that, the Holy Father made a speech, in which He described the Foundation’s goals and means in which they are fulfilled and ended with the following words: “In association with the Foundation, there has evolved a spiritual union of thousands of people in various continents who not only support it materially, but constitute the Circles of Friends, communities of formation based on the teaching and the example of Blessed John Paul II. They do not limit themselves to a sentimental memory of the past, but they discern the needs of the present, they look to the future with solicitude and confidence, and they commit themselves to imbue the world more deeply with the spirit of solidarity and fraternity. Let us thank the Lord for the gift of the Holy Spirit who unites, enlightens and inspires you.” At the end of the audience, Benedict XVI imparted His apostolic blessings: “With a grateful heart, through the intercession of your Patron, Blessed John Paul II, I entrust the future of your Foundation to Divine Providence and I bless you from my heart.”

The time that we spent together on the jubilee celebrations was a time of grace. We renewed our friendships and contacts from the last meeting in 2006 that was held in Rome, as well as from our meeting in Lourdes in 2008. We were discussing the great gift, which for the world and the Church was and is Blessed John Paul II. We took pictures which will be our visible remembrance of the time which we spent together. Our jubilee meeting enriched us spiritually. It was more joyful celebration for us, as our founder and patron was elevated to the altars on May 1^st of this year. We can pray and ask for His intercession with God. God bless all who in a creative way helped to build a special atmosphere of the John Paul II Foundation Chapters jubilee meeting: Holy Father Benedict XVI, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, Primate Jozef Kowalczyk, Senior Primate Jozef Glemp, Archbishop Szczepan Wesoly and the Administrator of the Foundation, Father Krzysztof Wieliczko, as well as all the priests who were present at the celebrations.

Let the words from the homily delivered by Benedict XVI during the John Paul II beatification become the source of our strength for the coming years of the John Paul II Foundation: “Blessed are you, beloved Pope John Paul II, because you believed! Continue, we implore you to sustain from heaven the faith of God’s people.”

Zofia Twarowska