CAUSE OF BEATIFICATION OF JOHN PAUL II OPENS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2005 (VIS) - This afternoon, eve of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, in the St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome, the opening session will be held of the diocesan investigation into the life, virtues and fame of saintliness of Servant of God John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla).

  On May 13, in the course of a meeting with the Roman clergy held in the same basilica, Benedict XVI announced the opening of the cause, waiving the normal waiting period of five years after the death of a Servant of God.

  The diocesan tribunal of Rome is responsible for the first phase of the process (an analysis of the life and writings of the Servant of God, and the hearing of witnesses). If a positive verdict is forthcoming, the case will pass to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints where, following a fresh examination of the material, extraordinary favors that may be miracles will be studied with the help of doctors and experts. Following the certification of a miracle, the Pope could order beatification.

  The official Internet site for the cause of beatification of John Paul II is: www.JohnPaulIIBeatification.org . The postulator of the cause, Msgr. Slawomir Oder, explains that the site will soon "offer a space for giving testimony of grace received, ... personal encounters with John Paul II, and prayer meetings throughout the world in support of the cause of beatification."

  The site also contains, in various languages, the prayer approved by the vicariate of Rome to implore the intercession of Servant of God John Paul II.

  "O Blessed Trinity. We thank You for having graced the Church with Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care, the glory of the cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints. Amen."
.../OPENING CAUSE BEATIFICATION/JOHN PAUL II            VIS 20050628 (400)