Pandemic restrictions have upset plans for pilgrimages and major public Masses celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of St John Paul II.
But it hasn’t stopped book launches and an online film premiere about the life and legacy of Karol Wojtyla, who was born on 18th May 1920, in Wadowice, Poland.
Spanish filmmakers are to release a new documentary, Wojtyla: The Investigation, on 8th May and Mario Enzler, a former Swiss Guard, has a book out by Newman House Press titled, I Served a Saint, reflecting on his service at the Vatican from 1989 to 1993.
While many people will be able to look back and remember key events, iconic images and inspirational teachings from St John Paul’s life and pontificate, the Vatican publishing house has released a book aimed specifically at the countless young people, “who still know very little or even nothing” about the saint, who died 15 years ago, said Alessandro Gisotti.
“We thought it would be wonderful with a very simple, very slick volume…to be a gift, especially for the younger generation,” Gisotti, the vice-editorial director of Vatican media, said in an online interview with the Catholic television station, Telepace.
Titled A Celebration: In Words and Images of St John Paul, the 128-page book will also be published in English by Paulist Press.
Pope Francis, who wrote the book’s preface, called his predecessor “a great witness of faith, a great man of prayer” and a “trustworthy guide for the Church at a time of great change”.
Picture: Pictured is the cover of a new volume released by the Vatican Publishing House, together with Paulist Press, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of St John Paul II. The preface of the book, titled A Celebration: In Words and Images, was written by Pope Francis, who called his predecessor “a great witness of faith, a great man of prayer” and a “trustworthy guide for the church at a time of great change”. (CNS photo/Vatican Media).
