October 22
St John Paul II, pope
Thursday, week 29 in Ordinary Time — Year II
St John Paul II, pope (1920–2005), is one of the most influential figures of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Born Karol Józef Wojtyła in Poland, he experienced the tragedies of war and the challenges of totalitarianism before being ordained to the priesthood. In 1978, he became the first non-Italian pope in over 450 years, guiding the Catholic Church for more than 26 years. John Paul II played a pivotal role in confronting communism, especially in his homeland, encouraging peaceful resistance and the importance of human dignity. He is widely remembered for his passionate advocacy for life, strong Marian devotion, and firm teachings on faith and morals. His commitment to interfaith dialogue and forgiveness, especially shown during his pioneering visits to synagogues and mosques, helped break new ground. His extensive travels made him known as a 'pilgrim pope,' helping to bring the message of the Gospel to countless people globally. The Church remembers him not only as a leader of courage amid adversity, but as a shepherd deeply attached to Christ and devoted to all peoples. His feast day is kept on October 22, the day of the inauguration of his papal ministry, and serves as a moment to reflect on his enduring teachings and example.
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Questions about St John Paul II, pope (Novus Ordo Missae)
The liturgical day
Mass readings
ReadingEp 3, 14-21
Brothers and sisters,
I kneel before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
He who is so rich in glory,
may he grant you, through his Spirit,
power so that your inner self may be strengthened.
May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith;
remain rooted in love, established in love.
Thus you will have the strength to comprehend with all the holy ones
what is the breadth and length and height and depth…
You will know what surpasses all knowledge:
the love of Christ.
Then you will be filled
until you enter into all the fullness of God.
To him who is able to accomplish,
through the power at work within us,
infinitely more than we can ask
or even imagine,
glory to him in the Church and in Christ Jesus
for all generations forever and ever.
Amen.
– The word of the Lord.
PsalmPs 32 (33), 1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19
Shout for joy to the Lord, you righteous!
Upright men, praise is yours!
Give thanks to the Lord on the lyre,
play for him on the ten-stringed harp.
Yes, the word of the Lord is upright;
he is faithful in all he does.
He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is filled with his love.
The Lord's plan stands forever,
the designs of his heart from age to age.
Blessed the people whose God is the Lord,
blessed the nation he has chosen for his own!
God watches over those who fear him,
who put their hope in his love,
to deliver them from death,
to keep them alive in famine.
GospelLc 12, 49-53
At that time,
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I have come to cast fire upon the earth,
and how I wish it were already kindled!
I have a baptism to receive,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come
to bring peace on earth?
No, I tell you,
but rather division.
For from now on, five people in one family will be divided:
three against two and two against three;
they will be divided:
the father against the son
and the son against the father,
the mother against the daughter
and the daughter against the mother,
the mother-in-law against the daughter-in-law
and the daughter-in-law against the mother-in-law."
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org