POPE CONSECRATES BASILICA OF DIVINE MERCY

BBC ^ | August 17, 2002

[NYer]

Tens of thousands of people have greeted the Pope on the first full day of what is being seen as his farewell visit to his native Poland.

Large crowds clapped and cheered as John Paul II arrived to consecrate the Basilica of Divine Mercy near Krakow, a shrine to Poland's first woman saint.

The ultra-modern shrine commemorates a Polish nun canonised by the Pope two years ago.

New stamps commemorate the visit

Later on Saturday, the pontiff is due to receive President Aleksander Kwasniewski and Prime Minister Leszek Miller at his official residence.

The Pope is on his ninth visit to his homeland in 24 years. There has been intense speculation about the pontiff's health, but the Vatican says he is not planning to step down.

However, this visit represents a large scaling-down of the gruelling schedule he followed during his last trip three years ago, when he visited 20 cities. This time, his trip is limited to his home town of Krakow.

Visions

Twelve cardinals and more than 150 bishops attended Saturday's consecration, the first major religious ceremony of the Pope's visit.

Crowds chanted: "Poland loves you!"

The shrine, built in the shape of a boat at a cost of several million dollars, commemorates Saint Faustina - a nun who died just before World War II and claimed to have had visions of Jesus Christ.

The Vatican was at first suspicious of the story and banned publication of the nun's diary.

But when Karol Wojtyla became Pope, he reversed the ban and pushed for Sister Faustina's rapid beatification and canonisation.

Catholic decline

Greeted by President Kwasniewski on Friday, the Pope said he arrived "with the same feeling of joy that I experience every time I come home... Krakow is so dear to my heart".

Millions of worshippers are expected on Sunday

He said he was well aware of the social and economic difficulties that still dog Poland as it prepares for entry into the European Union.

The BBC's David Willey, in Krakow, says that Polish Catholicism has clearly become more diluted under democratic government and a free market economy, and official church statistics reveal that only 10% of Polish believers fully identify with church teaching.

However, the Pope remains immensely popular in Poland. About 80% of the population are practising Roman Catholics, while many non-Catholics also have pictures of him on their walls.

The Holy Father's first visit to Poland in 1979, a year after becoming Pope, was widely credited with galvanising opposition to the country's communist government.

During his stay, the largest crowd is expected on Sunday, when the Pope is to say an open-air mass in Blonie, near the centre of Krakow.

More than two million Poles are expected to celebrate the Mass, at which the Pope will beatify four people, including former Warsaw archbishop Zygmunt Felinski, who died in 1895.

Afterwards, the Pope will visit the graves of his parents.

[NYer]

As is typical with media reporting on the pope, the members of the "Papal Death Watch Society" continue to remind us of the Holy Father's "frail condition". Raymond Arroyo noted last night that some of them, who began predicting the pope's imminent death, more than 10 years ago, are now dead themselves.

I watched the pope descend the stairs unaided from his Alitalia jet yesterday. Today's mass showed an envigorated pope, waving to the throngs who sang and cheered back.

Viva Il Papa!! Cent Anni!!!

[NYer]

The Image of the Divine Mercy

The earliest element of the Devotion to the Divine Mercy revealed to St. Faustina was the Image. On February 22nd, 1931 Jesus appeared to her with rays radiating from His heart and said,

Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus I trust in You.  I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and throughout the world. (Diary 47)

I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over its enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I myself will defend it as My own glory. (Diary 48)

I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of mercy. That vessel is this image with the signature" :Jesus, I trust in You." (Diary 327)

The two rays denote Blood and Water. the pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father. Happy is the one who dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of god shall not lay hold of him. (Diary 299)

Not in the beauty of the color, nor of the brush, lies the greatness of this image, but in My grace. (Diary 313)

By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls. It is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works. (Diary 742)

In these texts the Church's doctrine on images, justification and grace are explained. First, by itself an image is merely a painting, no matter how beautiful and expressive. Yet, it can point us the mysteries of the faith and dispose us to grasp and receive what it represents, in this case the Divine Mercy. It is thus a vessel, not the source, a reminder, not the reality. The reality is the merciful fountain of grace flowing from the pierced Heart of Christ on the Cross, and flowing out visibly to represent the visible, that is the sacramental, signs of grace, Baptism and Eucharist, standing for all the sacraments of the Church. Thus, St. John in his first letter insists on the presence of the invisible with the visible, the Spirit with the water and the Blood. 

The image also reminds us that salvation is not just by faith, but by works of charity also. It takes faith to see and believe in what the Image signifies, Divine Mercy poured out from Christ upon the Cross, but it takes mercy, love going beyond the strict requirements of justice, in order to draw down mercy on oneself. "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us" (Mt 6:12) and  "the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you" (Mt 7:2) The Image of the pierced side of Christ pouring out blood and water reminds us that the Cross, love in action, is the price of mercy. "As I have loved you so also should you love one another."  (Jn 13:34)  

[Salvation]

Divine Mercy bump!

[Dajjal]

VIVA IL PAPA! JESU, UFAM TOBIE!

[Cap'n Crunch]

Thanks,

Don't ya just love him? I was watching the liberal news and they showed him come to the window when everyone was outside singing to him. That little smile came across his face.

Got me all teary eyed.

[Salvation]

Just caught the last part of the Mass.

[Pyro7480]

I got done watching the encore broadcast of the concecration Mass on EWTN. I caught the Liturgy of the Word and the pope's homily earlier in the wee hours, but I was starting to fall asleep, so I missed the rest. I was just about to post a thread on the concecration of the Divine Mercy Shrine in Krakow, but NYer beat me to it! Oh well, but I think I'll "add a little color" to this thread by posting some pictures.


Catholic faithful cheer as Pope John Paul II arrives at the God's Mercy Basilica in Krakow, southern Poland, Saturday, Aug.17, 2002. The pope will consecrate the God's Mercy basilica in Krakow's Lagiewniki district, a popular sanctuary dedicated to St. Faustina, a mystic nun. Up to four million pilgrims are expected to greet the holy father during his Friday, Aug.16 to Monday, Aug.19 homecoming. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)
Pope John Paul II drives through Krakow, southern Poland, Saturday, Aug.17, 2002. Tens of thousands of adoring Poles gave the ailing Pope John Paul II a joyous welcome home Saturday, lining a seven-mile route and shouting ``Long live the pope!'' as he arrived to consecrate a new basilica. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

Pope John Paul II drives through Krakow, southern Poland, Saturday, Aug.17, 2002. Up to four million pilgrims are expected to greet the holy father during his four-day homecoming visit. More than 250,000 Poles poured into the streets Friday night to greet the pope on the ninth visit to his homeland. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

Pope John Paul II arrives at the God's Mercy Basilica in Krakow, southern Poland, Saturday, Aug.17, 2002. The pope will consecrate the God's Mercy basilica in Krakow's Lagiewniki district, a popular sanctuary dedicated to St. Faustine, a mystic nun. Up to four million pilgrims are expected to greet the holy father during his return to Poland this weekend. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)

Nuns cheers as they welcome Pope John Paul II upon his arrival at the God's Mercy Basilica in Krakow, southern Poland, Saturday, Aug.17, 2002. The pope will consecrate the God's Mercy basilica in Krakow's Lagiewniki district, a popular sanctuary dedicated to St. Faustina, a mystic nun. Up to four million pilgrims are expected to greet the holy father during his Friday, Aug.16 to Monday, Aug.19 homecoming. (AP Photo/Jockel Finck)

A crowd of several thousand Catholics wait to welcome Pope John Paul II upon his arrival at the God's Mercy Basilica in Krakow, southern Poland, Saturday, Aug.17, 2002. The pope will consecrate the God's Mercy basilica in Krakow's Lagiewniki district, a popular sanctuary dedicated to St. Faustina, a mystic nun. Up to four million pilgrims are expected to greet the holy father during his Friday, Aug.16 to Monday, Aug.19 homecoming. (AP Photo/Jockel Finck)

Pope John Paul II blesses the faithful as he enters the God's Mercy Basilica in Krakow Lagiewniki Saturday Aug.17, 2002. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)

Catholics faithful from Chicago cheer as they welcome Pope John Paul II upon his arrival at the God's Mercy Basilica in Krakow, southern Poland, Saturday, Aug.17, 2002. The pope consecrated the basilica in Krakow's Lagiewniki district, a popular sanctuary dedicated to St. Faustina, a mystic nun. (AP Photo/Jockel Finck)

A large group of American Catholics from Chicago, Ill. cheers as they welcome Pope John Paul II upon his arrival at the God's Mercy Basilica in Krakow, southern Poland, Saturday, Aug.17, 2002. Tens of thousands of adoring Poles gave the ailing Pope John Paul II a joyous welcome home Saturday, lining a seven-mile route and shouting ``Long live the pope!'' as he arrived to consecrate a new basilica.(AP Photo/Jockel Finck)
Pope John Paul II blesses the newly built sanctuary at Lagiewniki in a suburb of Krakow, August 17, 2002. The Pontiff issued a ringing plea on Saturday for an end to war and suffering around the world in a sermon from the city where he endured Nazi repression. REUTERS/Peter Andrews

Pope John Paul II consecrates the Divine Mercy Sanctuary church in Lagiewniki, near Krakow, August 17, 2002. The shrine is dedicated to a nun, Saint Faustina, whose visions before World War Two formed the basis of the mystic cult of the Divine Mercy. The nun's writings were banned at first by the Vatican, but the Pope rehabilitated, beatified and in 2000 canonized her. The 82 year-old pontiff is on his ninth pilgrimage to Poland, which will last four days. REUTERS/Jerry Lampen

Bishop Piero Marini helps Pope John Paul II to rub oil on the altar during dedicated ceremony of the new sanctuary at the Lagiewniki in the suburb of Krakow, August 17, 2002. Pope John Paul issued a ringing plea on Saturday for an end to war and suffering around the world in a sermon from the city where he endured Nazi repression. REUTERS/Peter Andrews
Pope John Paul II during the blessing ceremony at God's Mercy Basilica in Krakow, southern Poland, Saturday, Aug.17, 2002. The pontiff consecrated the God's Mercy Basilica in Krakow's Lagiewniki district, a popular sanctuary dedicated to St. Faustine, a mystic nun. Up to four million pilgrims are expected to greet the holy father during his four-day homecoming visit. (AP Photo/Vincenzo Pinto, POOL)

Pope John Paul II sits on his throne during the blessing ceremony of the church of Lagiewniki, in Krakow August 17, 2002. The 82-year-old pontiff, who faces a daily battle against the effects of Parkinson's disease and arthritis, is making his ninth papal visit to his home country of Poland, spending four days in and around Krakow, where he was archbishop before his surprise election as pope in 1978. REUTERS/Vincenzo Pinto

Pope John Paul II holds his mitre during holy mass at the Lagiewniki Sanctuary in a suburb of Krakow, August 17, 2002. The Pontiff issued a ringing plea on Saturday for an end to war and suffering around the world in a sermon from the city where he endured Nazi repression. REUTERS/Peter Andrews

Pope John Paul II sits on his throne during the blessing ceremony of the church of Lagiewniki, in Krakow August 17, 2002. The 82-year-old pontiff, who faces a daily battle against the effects of Parkinson's disease and arthritis, is making his ninth papal visit to his home country of Poland, spending four days in and around Krakow, where he was archbishop before his surprise election as pope in 1978. REUTERS/Vincenzo Pinto/POOL
Pope John Paul II prays in the God's Mercy Basilica in Krakow, southern Poland, Saturday, Aug.17, 2002. Consecrating the basilica at a shrine where he used to pray on his way to forced labor in a salt quarry under the Nazis, John Paul referred to evil in the world, making what appeared to be references to the Sept. 11 terror attacks and their aftermath.. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
The former President of Poland Lech Walesa, right, kisses the hand of Pope John Paul II, left, after the Holy Mass in the God's Mercy Basilica in Krakow, southern Poland, Saturday, Aug.17, 2002. Poles hoped the visit to his homeland would invigorate John Paul, who is exhibiting symptoms of Parkinson's disease that have left him stooped and slurred his speech at times.. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

Followers watch Pope John Paul II on a giant video screen as he prays in the God's Mercy Basilica in Krakow, southern Poland, Saturday, Aug.17, 2002.Some 4,000 faithful clapped in rhythm as if to propel the frail, 82-year-old pope as he made his way through the just-finished Basilica of God's Mercy on a rolling platform. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
Pope John Paul II talks to a crowd in front of the Metropolitan Residence in Krakow, southern Poland, Saturday, Aug.17, 2002 the second day of a four-day visit. Bishop at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

[NYer]

Consecrating the basilica at a shrine where he used to pray on his way to forced labor in a salt quarry under the Nazis,

I had forgotten about this. It's no wonder the Holy Father "creaks and groans" under the burden of his accrued penances. He is truly a beautiful human being and an inspiration to us all.

Thank you, Pyro, for posting these beautiful pictures!!! (I added you to my ping list at work but forgot to do so at home. You are now on that list. Sorry.) Just love that shot of the nuns and the Americans from Chicago! Only once have I had the privilege of attending a consecration. It was a chapel and the bishop performed the rite. The oil is rubbed into the surface of the marble, from center outwards, until the entire surface is covered. Then they place a bowl of incense in the middle, just like in the pictures.

Turned on the mass at 5am but drifted in and out of sleep. I'll have to catch the replay.

[Salvation]

Thank you for those outstanding photographs.

I personally think the church is beautiful. Very modern but very beautiful and simple.

[Pyro7480]

You can catch the replay of the concecration at 7 pm EDT. One of the commentators on the EWTN broadcast, while the pope was blessing the altar, commented that this ritual is based on Exodus chapter 40.
9 "Take the anointing oil and anoint the Dwelling and everything in it, consecrating it and all its furnishings, so that it will be sacred. 10 Anoint the altar of holocausts and all its appurtenances, consecrating it, so that it will be most sacred... 26 He placed the golden altar in the meeting tent, in front of the veil, 27 and on it he burned fragrant incense, as the LORD had commanded him.

I'm about to post the pope's homily from the Mass, so keep a watch for it. I'll ping you when it's up. Thanks for responding. I appreciate it. :-)

[Pyro7480]

I made a little mistake on the HTML on the last three pictures' captions, but it'll be ok. Thanks for responding. :-)

[JMJ333]

Thanks. I appreciate the ping to this lovely thread. =)

[Siobhan]

Thanks for posting the pics. I see some old friends from Chicago in one of the pics. That makes my day!

[Lady In Blue]

Thank you for this beautiful and heart warming thread!

[Salvation]

Wouldn't it be great to see that many nuns in the streets in the USA? In habits! I love the pictures. Thanks once again.

[nickcarraway]

ping

[Domestic Church]

Prayer Bump....Divine Mercy from SARS among all the other ills of the world. Prayers for the suffering.

[NYer]

"I promise that the soul that shall venerate this image will not perish." (Diary, 48)

God's blessings to you, Nick, on this beautiful day! Thank you for reposting the link.

The pope is off to Spain next weekend to cannonize another saint. EWTN will have full coverage of that event, much as they did with this one.

[Bigg Red]

I personally think the church is beautiful.

It is beautiful for an auditorium, but it does not look like a church to me. Where is the crucifix? Why is the saint's picture up high while the cross is down at the floor? I guess I'll never recover from Vatican II.