WE HAVE SEEN, ALMOST TOUCHED, ROME'S LOVE FOR HER BISHOP

VATICAN CITY, APR 12, 2005 (VIS) - Cardinal Bernard Law, archpriest of St. Mary Major Basilica, presided at the fourth novendiali (9 days of mourning) Mass for the repose of the soul of John Paul II last evening in St. Peter's Basilica. The 5 p.m. Mass was for the Chapters of the Patriarchal Basilicas.

  In his homily in Italian, Cardinal Law noted that "this basilica, St. Peter's, marks the place of the death and burial of the Fisherman. Here, on this hill, Peter followed the Lord right to the very end and, through the Paschal Mystery, entered into the glory of paradise. Here John Paul II followed the Lord right to the very end. ... Here, in this basilica, the body of the Holy Father awaits the resurrection, even if we are praying that his soul is already enjoying the eternal rest of the blessed.

  "The basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls," he continued, "marks the burial place of the second founder of the new Rome, Rome built on the blood of martyrs. The missionary heart of St. Paul drove him to preach ceaselessly to all peoples. As no other, Pope John Paul II, following the example of St. Paul, went to the ends of the earth to preach Jesus Christ, and Christ crucified." He noted that St. Paul's was also "the place where our Holy Father preached the unity of all who believe in Christ, the special place of his ecumenical commitment."

  "St. John Lateran," said Cardinal Law, "is the cathedral church of Rome," the church of Rome's bishop, who is the Pope. "These last days we have seen, almost touched, the most moving testimonial of the love of the faithful of Rome for their pastor, Pope John Paul II. A love the Pope returned a hundredfold."

  Noting John Paul's love for Mary and his "promotion of authentic Marian devotion among Catholics," the archpriest of St. Mary Major pointed out that "the last time the Holy Father visited the basilica of St. Mary Major occurred during the last solemnity of Corpus Christi when he accompanied the Blessed Sacrament in procession from St. John Lateran to St. Mary."

  Referring to "these last incredible days," Cardinal Law said "our faith and our hope have been strengthened in seeing a young Karol Wojtyla reflected in the faces of millions of young pilgrims from Italy, Poland and countless other countries." He spoke of the Pope's "youngest years, when his love for every human being lit the fire of the Holy Spirit in so many people, especially in those who were young. We also saw this in his last years of growing fragility when in his weakness he found strength in the Lord."

  Cardinal Law dedicated closing remarks to St. Stanislaw, "the great bishop of Krakow, who on this day in 1079, was assassinated while he was celebrating Mass in the church of St. Michael. His tomb is in the cathedral of Krakow and it was near this tomb that Karol Wojtyla received his episcopal ordination. Today, the liturgical memory of St. Stanislaw, our hearts are close to that of Fr. Stanislaw, Archbishop Dziwisz, for four decades the faithful secretary of John Paul II, to wish him in this very difficult moment a happy name day."
…/NOVENDIALI:BASILICA CHAPTERS/LAW        VIS 20050412 (540)