Pope John Paul II: 1920-2005
By Kyle Shinseki @ 4:48 PM :: 582 Views
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Throughout his life, Pope John Paul II set forth a tremendous example for all agrupados. His unwavering faithfulness to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, his great devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his dedication to Catholic youth should serve as an inspiration for the ACU as we continue on our journey of faith. John Paul II's message of "Be Not Afraid" resonates deeply with our motto of "Esto Vir" given the challenges we have faced historically as an institution as well as the Christian witness we are called to bear in our everyday lives as students and professionals.

While a staunch fighter for social justice and human rights, John Paul II never failed to understand and demonstrate how all of our apostolic works must be guided by Christ's teachings. The Pope gave voice to the voiceless - unborn children, those living under oppressive regimes, and the terminally ill. His unflinching defense of human life prevented abortion from being declared a "universal human right," while his fearless efforts to defend the Catholic heritage of his people will always be remembered by Poles throughout the world. But perhaps the most salient example of how he defended the sanctity of human life was the courage with which he faced his last days on earth.

Throughout his life, John Paul II maintained a deep love for our Blessed Mother. He turned to her in his greatest moments of need, most notably when an attempt was made on his life. He promoted a renewed emphasis on Mary throughout the Church, made frequent visits to the sites of her apparitions, and gave us five new mysteries to contemplate while praying the rosary. The Pope canonized the first indigenous saint, Juan Diego, witness to the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of Mexico and Queen of the Americas.

Finally, John Paul II sought to inspire the youth of today to reject the world's material temptations and seek God's presence in their lives. Millions of youth throughout the world attended World Youth Days with the Pope and many of these young lives were deeply moved by his presence. In fact, more than a few religious vocations are products of these gatherings. The Pope delivered a message to the youth of Cuba during his historical visit to the island in 1998, where he stated, "Cuba´s future depends on you, on how you build your character and on how you translate into action your commitment to transform the world."