Everyone who knows me knows about the tremendous impact St. John Paul II had on me.
His Theology of the Body quite literally derailed my life. After I discovered it during my senior year of college, I was determined to share its message as widely as I could. Which turned out to be far wider than I could have ever imagined.
Instead of marrying and having children, I spent the next 20 years traveling around the world, speaking on the Holy Father’s vision of love and marriage. I earned a Master’s degree from the program he founded, the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family. I wrote two books based in his message.
I never really met him during that time. We spoke at the same events a couple of times. But while I eagerly listening to every word of his addresses, he was not sitting in the audience during mine. I “met” him during a papal audience once, but he was very ill and it was kind of a “department store Santa Claus” set up where we had our pictures taken with him, but no real introduction or conversation happened. I was told at one point that he knew who I was and was familiar with my work. But that’s about as close as we ever got.
Nine years after his death, I traveled to Rome for his canonization.
The way that trip came about was really nothing short of miraculous, and gave me the distinct impression that “somebody” wanted me there.
While in Rome, I was praying one day at the church of Santo Spirito, the Divine Mercy shrine. It’s a beautiful place, with a side chapel with a large, beautiful picture of St. John Paul II. While I was praying there, I suddenly had what I can only describe as an awareness of his presence.
I felt, as strongly as ever, my love for this man who so beautifully radiated Christ. And I heard, in my heart, his deep Polish voice saying “Now I choose you.” I knew, I just knew, that he was telling me that he knew me, and that he was choosing me to be his spiritual daughter—to pray for me, and to help lead me to Christ.
I wept. A lot. It was beautiful.
Could it have been my imagination? Sure. But I don’t think so. And even it if was, I know what St. Paul told us—that our departed brothers and sisters in Heaven are not far from us. They surround us. And thus, the man who influenced my life so profoundly is still real and still present and active in the world, and in my life.
I don’t think this is just about me. He influenced so many of us. He was important to us—quite literally part of our lives. All of us who were touched by his life are his spiritual children, and they are my spiritual siblings.
And, I have decided, that goes in a very special way for those of us who are single.
Think about it.
His entire family was gone by the time he was in his early 20’s. He was alone in the world. And, like those six attractive singles in New York in the ’90’s, his friends became his family. But instead of sitting around swilling overpriced coffee, they spent their time risking their lives, defying the Nazis by creating an underground theater troupe.
I have always thought that, if I were Karol Wojtyla and my entire family was gone, the first thing I would want to do would be to marry and start my own family. But he did not make that choice. No, instead he answered the call of God to become a priest — studying in an underground seminary, once again risking his life.
And he gained the whole world for his family.
I don’t think those early single, family-less years ever truly left him.
Those friends remained an important part of his life, even in and through his papacy. And a pope would have to understand the single life well to write this:
"For those who have no natural family the doors of the great family which is the Church-the Church which finds concrete expression in the diocesan and the parish family, in ecclesial basic communities and in movements of the apostolate-must be opened even wider. No one is without a family in this world: the Church is a home and family for everyone, especially those who "labor and are heavy laden.” (Familiaris Consortio, 85)
He was our friend on earth, and I believe he remains our friend, our protector and our family in Heaven. He is our patron saint, our spiritual father.
He passed away 15 years ago, but he is not gone. We are part of this great family that is the Church—here and in Heaven. He is among them. And I believe he is more present, more real to us now than he was when he walked the earth with us.
And what do we do when we’re family? We celebrate important milestones together, of course. And there’s a big one coming up. Our spiritual father’s birthday is coming up. St. John Paul II was born on May 18th, 1920. This year will be his big 1-0-0. And I want to celebrate it. With all of you.
I will be leading a pilgrimage to Poland, “In the Footsteps of St. John Paul II,” May 12-22.
We will visit the major sites of his life, and those of other Polish saints like Maximilian Kolbe and St. Faustina. And, best of all, will be in Krakow, the center of so much of St. JPII’s life in Poland, on the date of his 100th birthday.
I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. For me, and for everybody who loved him.
Because family should be together on special occasions.
