Statue of Saint John Paul II
May 18, 1920 – April 2, 2005
Feast Day: October 22
Patron saint of World Youth Days
Karol Józef Wojtyła was deeply affected by the atrocities of World War II. Encouraged to study theology, he entered the seminary and eventually became a priest. Intelligent and charismatic, he rose through the ranks of the Church, becoming a cardinal in 1967, and later, Pope in 1978. His contributions to Catholic teaching and evangelization, as well as to the breakdown of Communism in his native Poland, make Pope John Paul II one of the most beloved and revered successors of Saint Peter. His canonization occurred April 27, 2014.
DONOR
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge
With gratitude to St. John Paul II for naming me a bishop and in loving memory of my beloved parents, Francis and Shirley Burbidge
