Pope St. John Paul II

Saint John Paul II

Pope & Confessor

Karol Wojtyła was born in Poland in the year of Our Lord 1920. His father had served in the Austro-Hungarian Army, and named his son after his emperor, Bl. Karl I. The young Karol began secret studies for the priesthood during the German occupation, and was ordained not long after the end of World War II. He continued his studies in Rome before returning to Poland, where he became a professor. Fr. Wojtyła was consecrated bishop in 1958, made Archbishop of Krakow six years later, and named a cardinal three years after that. In the year of Our Lord 1978, Cardinal Wojtyła became the first non-Italian pope in over four hundred and fifty years, taking the name John Paul in honor of his predecessor. Just three years later the pontiff survived an assassination attempt in St. Peter’s Square, later forgiving and conversing directly with the imprisoned shooter. John Paul made the fight against communism a central mission of his long pontificate, during which he also promoted evangelization, canonized or beatified hundreds of saints, and championed the Divine Mercy devotion. He saw the fall of the Berlin Wall and the liberation of his own country from communist rule before he died in the year of Our Lord 2005.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for October 22nd

AT Jerusalem, the blessed bishop Mark, a celebrated and learned man, who was the first Gentile that governed the church of Jerusalem. His brief episcopate was rewarded by the palm of martyrdom, under the emperor Antoninus.

At Adrianople, in Thrace, the birthday [into heaven] of the holy martyrs Philip, bishop, Severus, priest, Eusebius, and Hermes, who, after being imprisoned and scourged, were burned alive, in the time of Julian the Apostate.

Also, the holy martyrs Alexander, bishop, Heracilus, soldier, and their companions.

At Fermo, in the Marches, St. Philip, bishop and martyr.

At Huesca, in Spain, the holy virgins Nunilo and Alodia, sisters, who endured martyrdom by being condemned to capital punishment by the Saracens for the confession of the faith.

At Cologne, St. Cordula, one of the companions of St. Ursula, who, being terrified at the torments and slaughter of the other virgins, hid herself, but soon repenting, came forward the next day, and last of all received the crown of martyrdom.

At Hierapolis, in Phrygia, St. Abercius, bishop, who flourished under the emperor Marcus Antoninus.

At Rouen, St. Melanius, bishop, who was ordained by pope St. Stephen, and sent thither to preach the Gospel.

In Tuscany, St. Donatus, of Scotland, bishop of Fiesoli.

At Verona, St. Verecundus, bishop and confessor.

At Jerusalem, St. Mary Salome, who, as we read in the Gospel, piously attended to the burial of our Lord.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.