Hannah Hiester on October 7, 2024
CV NEWS FEED // The Knights of Columbus will celebrate the feast of Pope St. John Paul II with a week of festivities in mid-October at the The Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C.
The Knights announced in an emailed news release that the celebrations will begin on October 16, which is the anniversary of the saint’s election to the papacy, and conclude on October 22, which is the saint’s feast day and commemoration of his installation as pope.
“St. John Paul II will be remembered and celebrated hundreds of years from now as a man of deep prayer, rich theological vision, courageous leadership, personal humility, unfailing kindness, and steadfast witness to the Gospel in pilgrimages to 129 countries,” Anthony Picarello, executive director of the Shrine, stated in the news release.
He added:
This weeklong celebration at the St. John Paul II National Shrine helps pilgrims reconnect with the pivotal moment of his election, with his pilgrim spirit, and with the universal call to holiness that he preached to each of us with his words and actions.
The first event will feature Mass celebrated at the Shrine by Fr. Pawell Sass, a Polish priest. A reception with Polish food and a discussion about the “Worldwide Impact of Karol Wojtyla’s Election to the Papacy” will follow.
The second event, which is on October 18, commemorates the martyrdom of Bl. Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko, a Polish priest who was killed by communists in 1984. The celebration will include an opportunity to venerate first-class relics of Bl. Jerzy and watch a film about his life, “Messenger of Truth.”
October 19 will feature a celebration of St. John Paul II’s love of nature with a pilgrimage from Christ the King Parish in Silver Spring, Maryland, through a park to the Shrine. Pilgrims can choose from 7.5-, 4.5-, and 1-mile pilgrimage options.
On October 22, the Shrine will offer two celebratory Masses at 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., followed by a reception. The Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will also offer a program called “Evenings with the Merciful Jesus.” The program will include an inspirational talk, group discussions, refreshments, and opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration, praise and worship, and confession.
Throughout the week, pilgrims can venerate a first-class relic of St. John Paul II. According to the Knights, pilgrims can also obtain a plenary indulgence.
A full schedule of events can be found on the Shrine’s website.
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