Dear Amado,

I can wait if you can!

But there is no reason to delay the Holy Father's beatification so he could be liturgically venerated.

The time frames were set in motion to actually make the candidate's life better known more widely in the Church.

Everyone knows about Pope John Paul II (and the same can be said about Mother Teresa's speedy beatification).

Everyone who hasn't lived in a cave for the last quarter century . . .

I would be surprised if the Pope isn't beatified before the end of this year.

Alex

Dear Amado,

I do believe the formal canonization process serves a very profound purpose, so I wanted to clear that up. Otherwise, my previous post sounds like I don't approve of the process. That is not the case. But the public and private veneration of someone as publicly acclaimed as JPII should be allowed and encouraged. In fact, it will happen in spite of efforts to quiet the storm.

One example: my 17 year old son was recently confirmed. He wanted to choose JPII as his name saint for a number of very proper reasons, NOT one of which, however, was that this Great pope had been canonized, because he hasn't. My son had to choose another saint "officially" for his confirmation for this reason. However, his prayers and devotions will still be directed to our beloved pontiff, and not without great benefit to his soul, I believe. This type of personal devotion will be of immense benefit to the young people of this generation who were so moved by the holy JPII. This is exactly the fervor which the Church in ages past would label the acclamation of the faithful. So while I expect the canonization of JPII in the future, I will not wait for it to pray for his assistance in the lives of my children.

Peace in Christ,

Tammy

My own father died 24 April this year, he and my mother are Lutheran. My father while not a church going man every Sunday admired and respected Pope John Paul the Great! My father came to respect the Catholic Church and our Pope John Paul the Great. In the hospital during his final days, my mom told me my Dad wanted the framed photo of Pope John Paul that I gave on his last birthday 26 December. I am sure my father and Pope John Paul the Great are having long conversations even now. Pope John Paul for me showed me how to live and how to have faith by his own example and he has shown the world how to leave this world with dignity. I am sure the Holy Spirit will guide the process.

Tammy- It sounds like you were the victim of someone trying so hard to follow the rules that he or she falls into stupidity: "John" and "Paul" are both saint's names. What on earth could be wrong with "John Paul"?!
-Daniel, who has little patience with legalism, especially when it is this stupid

You are right. As it was, he finally took the name John. It satisfied the priest here, and my son's intention is to maintain a devotion to JPII. Thanks for your comments! Tammy