Cardinal Dziwisz: People are most enduring monument to St. John Paul II
Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, the longtime personal secretary of Pope John Paul II, celebrates Mass in Rome for the 45th anniversary of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation, and highlights how the foundation helps preserve the memory of its founder but also helps future generations.
“Those who invest in people and in their integral development never lose.”
Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, who served as St. John Paul II’s personal secretary for around 40 years, recalled these words of the Polish Pope, during the opening Mass marking the 45th anniversary of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation in Rome.
The institution was conceived at the expressed wish of the Pope himself and, as Cardinal Dziwisz emphasized, one of its greatest achievements has been helping hundreds of people develop their talents and build their futures.
An “invisible” monument
The Mass took place at the Church of Santa Maria del Carmelo in Traspontina, very close to St. Peter’s Square and marked the beginning of the celebrations for the Vatican Foundation.
In his homily, Cardinal Dziwisz remembered how in 2001, during events marking the Foundation’s 20th anniversary, Pope John Paul II spoke about a special monument that is quietly built in people’s hearts and minds
“There is no greater and more enduring monument for our times than one built with the bronze of science and culture,” the Cardinal said.
Established on October 16, 1981, by Pope John Paul II himself, the non-profit organization stands as a living testament to the legacy of the Polish Pontiff. Its president, ...
Opportunities for hundreds of young people
One of the Foundation’s most important initiatives is a scholarship program that enables young people from Central and Eastern Europe, as well as other parts of the world, to study at the Catholic University of Lublin.
Cardinal Dziwisz recalled that hundreds of people have benefited from this opportunity over the past decades. Among those attending the celebration were students residing at the Foundation’s headquarters in Lublin in Poland.
“It is in their lives,” the Cardinal emphasized, “that St. John Paul II’s vision is most fully realized. The Foundation not only preserves the memory of its founder, but also helps future generations develop their talents and obtain an education.”
The legacy in Rome
The Cardinal also recalled the John Paul II Polish House in Rome, which welcomes pilgrims and houses the John Paul II Pontificate Documentation and Study Center.
The facility collects and makes available materials relating to the Pope’s pontificate, supporting academic research and dialogue between the Church and the world of culture.
St. John Paul II’s longtime secretary noted that the development of these initiatives had been made possible by the generosity of the Polish diaspora around the world.
He thus offered special thanks to the benefactors who had supported the Foundation financially and spiritually over the past 45 years.
He also remembered those who had established the Foundation and developed its activities over the years, including Cardinal Władysław Rubin, Archbishop Szczepan Wesoły, and Archbishop Józef Kowalczyk.
Prayers for Pope Leo XIV’s Health
At the conclusion of his homily, Cardinal Dziwisz asked those present to pray for Pope Leo XIV, who was discharged from the Gemelli Hospital on Saturday following surgery and is now recovering at the Vatican.
“Let us surround the Holy Father Leo XIV, who is so dear to us, with our prayers. Let us pray for God’s blessing and the grace of good health for him, so that he may guide the Church for many years to come.”
Carindal Dziwisz concluded by entrusting everything to the intercession of Saint John Paul II.
Fr. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik and Fr. Łukasz Bankowski
Source: vaticannews.va/en