Why He Is a Saint: The Life and Faith of Pope John Paul II and the Case for Canonization

by Slawomir Oder, Saverio Gaeta

Overview

Available in English for the first time, this engaging and enlightening biography of John Paul II argues the case that the late pope’s life and deeds make him a worthy saint.

A number-one best seller in Italy, Why He Is a Saint is an account of the late pope’s life, highlighting his deep Christian faith, his dedication to the Church, and his role in bringing down communism. This book delves deeply into Pope John Paul’s spiritual essence, through the unprecedented light of the investigation into whether he merits sainthood.

Why He Is a Saint reveals the pope’s life through vivid, intimate anecdotes. Among the book’s startling revelations are his thoughts of retirement as his health declined, and the fact that he practiced the ancient ritual of daily self-flagellation. The book includes both unpublished as well as public correspondence, such as the “open letter” of forgiveness to Ali Agka, his attempted assassin. It also examines the pope’s severe acts of penitence and documents his miracles.

This impassioned plea in favor of canonizing the pope as a saint has proven to be of profound interest to Catholics worldwide, as well as to anyone interested in faith and spirituality.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780847835560
Publisher:	Rizzoli
Publication date:	10/19/2010
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	190
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Monsignor Slawomir Oder was one of the first Polish priests ordained after the collapse of communism in 1989, making him a true beneficiary of Pope John Paul II's courageous anti-Soviet efforts. Since September 2001 he has been Judicial Vicar of the Appellation Tribunal of the Vicariate of Rome. He now leads the campaign to canonize Pope John Paul II.

Saverio Gaeta, formerly of the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, is now editor-in-chief of Famiglia Christiana. He has authored books on major Catholic figures, including Mother Teresa and Padre Pio

Table of Contents

Preface: The Unknown Face of John Paul II 1

Chapter 1 The Man 9

Faith in Flesh and Blood

"Uncle" Karol

The Priest Born from the Ashes of an Actor

Undercover in the Seminary

The Phantom of the Double Homicide

In the Service of God and of His People

With His Arms Extended in the Sign of the Cross

Totus Tuus

All in the Light of Faith

The Lessons of Vatican II

Reconciling Culture and Pastoral Duties

In the Chill of Nowa Huta

In the Sights of the Polish Intelligence Service

A Fiery Sermon

The Bells of Pope Paul VI

The Prophetic "Habemus Papam"

Chapter 2 The Pope 73

The Second Home of the Poles

A Pole on St. Peter's Throne

Choosing His Colleagues

A Firmness Underpinned by Humility

"It Will Take Blood to Convert"

The "Open Letter" to Ali Agca

"Open the Borders of the States"

The Collapse of Communism

The Heir to St. Paul

In the World's "Hot Zones"

A Matchless Magisterium

In Dialogue with the Other Faiths

"There Is No Place in the Church for a Pope Emeritus"

The Father's Return Home

Chapter 3 The Mystic 133

Traveling Up the River to Its Source

Blessed Are the Poor

The Essential as a Form of Liberty

A Creative and Poetic Body of Thought

Illuminating the Path with the Fire of Prayer

A Utility Closet as a Chapel

With a Heart Devoted to His Homeland

Taking Inspiration from the Saints for the Practice of Virtues

The Prediction of Padre Pio

In "Conversation" with the Virgin Mary

"If I Weren't Pope, I Would Already Be in Medjugorje Confessing"

In the Sign of Suffering

The Stations of the Cross in the Hallway

Epilogue: A Tribute to the Truth 177

Concise Chronology of the Life of Karol Wojtyla-John Paul II 181