Denver Catholic

2 I CATHOLIC LIFE OCTOBER 23, 2013 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER ARCHBISHOP'S COLUMN MOST REV. SAMUEL J. AQUILA Faithful invited to Rome pilgrimage for canonization of John Paul II, John XXIII What the world needs now is maximum love A few days ago I received a letter from a fellow bishop that struck a chord with me because it emphasized the need for holiness in our lives and the hunger that people have for it. The letter was dedicated to introducing the Pro Sanctity Movement, which came to life in Rome, "The Eternal City," in 1947, while Europe was recovering from the destruction of World War II. Servant of God Bishop Guglielmo Giaquinta founded the movement with the conviction that the laity are called to holiness, just as much FOR MORE as the clergy. Even more INFORMATION importantly, he emphasized Visit: www.prosanctity.com that holiness is not a goal attainable by only an elite few but it is meant for everyone. Our world is longing for holiness. Just think of how people who lay their lives down for others are sought after and loved by nearly everyone. Even the tendency to name people "heroes" for simple acts like bringing coffee to a work meeting or donating to a charitable cause shows the profound longing our society has for good to triumph, for holiness to permeate our world. Bishop Giaquinta was prophetic, because two decades later the Second Vatican Council underscored this simple message in the dogmatic constitution, "Lumen Gentium" (No. 39). "Therefore in the Church, everyone whether belonging to the hierarchy, or being cared for by it, is called to holiness, according to the saying of the apostle: 'For this is the will of God, your sanctification.'" Early on in his ministry as a parish priest, Father Giaquinta discovered that his parishioners had a strong desire for a fuller experience of the faith. In particular, a group of six women professed vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and formed the Apostolic Oblates. In time, the movement has grown to include groups for priests, unmarried men and women, and married people. Bishop Giaquinta explained the path to holiness quite simply: we must respond to God's gift of maximum love with the maximum love we are able to give. "Why, then, did Christ, instead of choosing the minimum to redeem us, choose the maximum?" the bishop asked. "He did it to make us aware of the seriousness of sin, but most of all because he wanted to show us the immensity of love.…." Jesus desired us to receive his love so that we might live in his love and in his truth. God's infinite love must be responded to by each and every believer to the best of their ability in their state of life, and this is what leads to holiness. Intimacy with Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit helps us to grow in their love and become holy as God is holy (1 Pet 1: 13-16). As one looks at our world, filled with the consequences of sin, it has the need for holy women and men in every walk of life, in every vocation. Bishop Giaquinta also emphasized that the call to holiness does not stop at the individual level. One of his famous sayings captures this well: "Build a civilization of love, where we See Aquila, Page 4 PHOTO PROVIDED COURTESY FAITH JOURNEYS ST. PETER'S Square in Rome is where John XXIII and John Paul II are set to be canonized in April. BY ROXANNE KING The upcoming canonization of Popes John Paul II and John XXII is a historic moment of grace for the Church and faithful are invited to take part in this momentous occasion on a pilgrimage to the event. The Archdiocese of Denver and the Denver Catholic Register are co-sponsoring an April 25-May 3 pilgrimage to the canonization, which will take place in Vatican City. The nine-day trip will include daily Mass and visits to sacred and historic sites in Rome, Assisi and an optional one-day excursion to Naples and Pompei. "The canonization of Pope Blessed John XXIII and Pope Blessed John Paul II is a remarkable moment in the life of the Church and a great sign of how the Lord keeps his promise: 'I will give you shepherds after my own heart,'" Archbishop Samuel Aquila told the Denver Catholic Register. "While all the faithful will share in this celebration, there is nothing like actually being present to experience the joy of the universal Church." The fact that two modern-day popes will be canonized together makes the event a once-in-alifetime opportunity, said Emily LOADING... 80% PILGRIMAGE When: April 25-May 3, 2014 Where: Rome and Assisi for canonization of Blesseds John Paul II and John XXIII Information: call 303-7153207 or email Emily.Keller@ archden.org Keller, event coordinator for the Denver Archdiocese. "Blessed John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council, which was a huge turning point for the Church, and Blessed John Paul II implemented the council and reached out and engaged the rest of the world with the Catholic Church in a way no previous pope had," she said. John XXIII, pope from 19581963, convoked the Second Vatican Council as a means of spiritual renewal to "let fresh air"—aggiornamento—into the Church and to reinvigorate her mission of evangelization. John Paul II, pontiff from 1978-2005, is known as the most traveled pope, making more than 100 trips outside Italy, and for improving the Church's relations with other faiths. Both were instrumental in bringing about the new evangelization, which John Paul II called "a new springtime" in the Church. Founded two and a half thousand years ago, Rome, known as "the Eternal City," is the capital of Italy. Considered one of the birthplaces of Western civilization, it has served as the seat of the papacy since the first century A.D. "Pilgrims will experience a marriage between the history of our Church with the present," Keller said, adding that some 3 million people are expected to descend upon the city for the canonizations. "Catholics from across the world are going to be there for this joyful and inspiring event," she said, cautioning that those interested in attending the pilgrimage should be aware that Rome is an ancient city and the sites to be visited aren't handicap accessible. "This isn't a leisurely vacation," Keller emphasized, "it's a pilgrimage and those participating must be able to make the sometimes challenging trek to visit the sites." Sacred sites pilgrims will visit include St. Peter's Basilica, the heart of the Roman Catholic See Pilgrimage, Page 4

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