Servants of the Servant

This phrase was used in a recent article to describe Catholics for whom John Paul II was the only pontiff they can remember (I guess I would be included in that group) and it goes on to make some very interesting points:

Full article: http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/columns/story/797648.html

Back in 1979, Pope John Paul II made his historic visit to Ireland and prayed for an end to the violence in Northern Ireland.  A recent article made reference to this as recent events, to the Glory of God, make it seem like JP’s prayers have been answered.

Full story: http://www.indcatholicnews.com/unitee563.html

A music video DVD that was produced by the Vatican’s very own record label, St. Paul Multimedia was launched recently:

Full story: http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/3815

Hey all… just ran across this bit of news:

Article published Saturday, November 24, 2007
PBS covers Pope’s life journey on road to sainthood

Full article: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071124/NEWS10/711240352 

I don’t know if this will be shown everywhere in the US or if it will be available for purchase in the future… if anyone actually gets to see this (I couldn’t find it locally here in Mass.) please let me know how it was… it sounds pretty great.

As promised, I will try to post any news related to JPII and his cause… and I ran across something wonderful on the net the other day: a local group has started a JPII prayer group.  This group formed in Dundalk, in County Louth in Ireland.  They formed their group, have had at least one meeting and started a website which I added to the Links on this page: http://www.bebo.com/JohnPaulPrayerGroup .

Please pray for them.

If anyone has news about a local group that is dedicated to JPII or his Cause, please send me information about them.  We can all pray together and keep in touch…. John Paul pray for us.

First and foremost, it is important to state that the main “goal” of our prayer group, as individuals and together as the “Servants“, is to live the “life of holiness” and through our particular devotion embrace the “liberating force of God’s love.”.  (cf. Veritatis Splendor #107)  Our devotion to Servant of God John Paul II and his Cause is only secondary to that.

The Spirit of Jesus, received by the humble and docile heart of the believer, brings about the flourishing of Christian moral life and the witness of holiness amid the great variety of vocations, gifts, responsibilities, conditions and life situations.

The above quote from JP, taken from Veritatis Splendor #108 provides a clear backdrop for the goals and motivations of the Servants. Any devotion of the Church must have the spirit of what JP called the “new evangelization”. Our prayer group and its daily/weekly/monthy actions are outword signs of our response to the daily call to conversion. It is not just a “pious fan club”— it is something quite deeper and, God willing, will bear fruit in the Body of Christ.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:

“All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity.” All are called to holiness: “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (#2013)

And so, as Servants of the Servant we strive to attain an ever increasing union with God through the intercession of Pope John Paul II…. using our small list of devotions and small acts of thanksgiving for our love of the Lord which assist us in our desire to nourish “the faith which works through love” (Gal 5:6)

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This is the first in a series that I hope will help some of you grow in your spiritual devotion to Servant of God John Paul II, and through his intercession grow in your entire life of faith.
I’ll also keep you up to date on any news concerning the Cause or any other items of interest that relate to JP II.

God bless you all. John Paul pray for us.
Scott

Yes dear friends, by the grace of God through the intercession of Pope John Paul II, we have our first “official” Servant.  A few of my local friends and, of course, my family have joined themselves to this prayer group, but I received an email today that filled me with happiness!  Like the Cardinal on the upper balcony I annouced to my family a great joy: “WE HAVE A MEMBER!”… hehe…. not exactly like the annoucement of a new pope, but I thank God none the less. 

I pray that everyone has a wonderful, safe, happy, and healthy Thanksgiving. 

John Paul pray for us.

Through the intercession of John Paul II, I think I know where my focus must be at this moment in my life.  I’ve jumped around from idea to idea, but I now know that this little blog of mine must be totally dedicated to promoting the Cause of and devotion to Servant of God Pope John Paul II.  I’ve read most of his writings, and over time, I plan to finish them and maybe post some comments here.  I can’t say that there will be anything “interesting” written by me— I’ve never been much of a writer— but my wife recently pointed out to me that I seem to be living in this online “dreamworld” and I agree.  I’ve got to spend more time with my family and more time in prayer before I can ever hope to contribute anything to others in the body of Christ.  So…. I hope that you join me in the devotional style that the Holy Spirit guided us to follow in this devotion (details on the JPII prayer group page) and more importantly, join me in living our lives and being a living testimony to the sainthood of our dear JP II.

 John Paul II pray for us.

Scott

Sorry to the few who might wish to post a comment for me…. I had to turn on the option that only registered users may post a comment because of the enormous amount of spam/porn/and even porn-spam that floods my blog every day …. 30-50 hits that I must moderate individually is too much like work… so I apologize if this makes interaction a pain.  If it is easier, feel free to email me at scott@handsandfeetshow.com

I pray that someday there is a strong devotion to Servant of God John Paul II and that my prayer group can eventually grow into a confraternity.

The Catholic Encylopedia New Advent states:

“A confraternity or sodality is a voluntary association of the faithful, established and guided by competent ecclesiastical authority for the promotion of special works of Christian charity or piety. The name is sometimes applied to pious unions, but the latter differ from confraternities inasmuch as they need not be canonically erected and they regard rather the good of the neighbour than the personal sanctification of the members. Confraternities are divided into those properly so called and those to which the name has been extended. “- http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04223a.htm

So I’m begining to do some research on how to make this a reality and by God’s grace I’ll make it happen.  If anyone out there is a member of another confraternity, please leave a comment with your experience with that particular group.