Celebrating the spirituality of Pope John Paul II, nearly 300 Catholics joined Krakow Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, for a day of prayer at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington last Wednesday.
Cardinal Dziwisz, who served as John Paul’s personal secretary for nearly 40 years, spoke of the history of Polish immigrants in America and also about the Poles before the fall of communism in their homeland. The election of John Paul II to the chair of St. Peter “gave birth to new hopes and immense joy to those suffering in Poland. The same sentiment arose among our countrymen living in America and all over the world,” he said during his homily, which he delivered in Polish.
The English translation was read by Detroit Cardinal Adam Maida, who concelebrated the Mass along with retired Washington Archbishop Cardinal Theodore McCarrick.
The daylong event included a talk on the Blessed Mother by Washington Auxiliary Bishop Martin Holley, praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and rosary, a panel discussion and benediction.
John Paul II, who had a devotion to Divine Mercy, canonized St. Faustina Kowalska in 2000. He also had a great devotion to the Blessed Mother and was entrusted to her. His apostolic motto was totus tuus,  “totally yours.”
Noting Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic visit to the United States, Cardinal Dziwisz said it was fitting that Benedict visited the cultural center in Washington, where he met with leaders of various faiths during an inter-religious gathering.
The cardinal expressed his gratitude to those preserving John Paul II’s heritage and legacy through the cultural center. He told the congregation that a John Paul II Center is in its initial stages in Krakow.
“We wish to pass on to the next generations a living and lasting ‘story’ about his life and service, about his faith, hopes and love, of his sanctity,” the cardinal said.
Quoting the late Holy Father 30 years ago in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Cardinal Dziwisz, who authored the book, A Life With Karol  said, “Do not be afraid. Open, open wide the doors to Christ. Open the frontiers of countries, political systems, civilizations, and progress to His redeeming rule. Do not be afraid. Christ knows ‘what is inside man.’”
Irena Mirecki was thrilled to have Cardinal Dziwisz in Washington. “For him to come and be with us is very important,” said Mirecki, a member of the Friends of John Paul II Foundation, which organized a luncheon for the cardinal. Because he was so close to the late Holy Father, Cardinal Dziwisz “knew his joys. He knew his sorrows,” said Mirecki.
“I see the Holy Father in his spirit. His attitude toward young people is the same as John Paul II. He truly believes the future belongs to the young,” she said.
Cardinal Maida, a Polish-American and president and founder of the cultural center, called the cardinal’s presence a “great honor and a privilege. I see God’s blessing when I look at you,” he told the cardinal.  “John Paul II still lives among us and with us. He planted seeds in all of us,” Cardinal Maida said.
Henrietta Gomes can be reached at hgomes@catholicherald.com.