On the Culture

Powerful Intercession

By Dr. Jeff Mirus (bio - articles - send a comment) | March 19, 2007 2:17 PM

The postulator for the cause of Pope John Paul II has reported that many miracles attributed to the great pope's intercession have been submitted from Russia, including several cases dramatic enough to be formally studied by physicians. This is not surprising, and it matches the experience of many people around the world who have prayed through the intercession of John Paul.

Surely this pope who stood against Communism and helped to bring about its collapse is a logical intercessor for the people of Russia, as he is also for his native Poland. But, in truth, it is difficult to find a place or a personal situation on this earth for which John Paul II would not be a logical intercessor. His scores of trips as pope carried him to all the regions of the globe, bringing hope to every marginalized person, from Catholics struggling to maintain their faith in the secularized West to the poor and oppressed of the third world.

John Paul II was a working man and a scholar, an actor and poet, a teacher and priest. He devoted himself to the building up of the Church and labored to give life to souls with an affection which was at once paternal and maternal. At various times and stages of his life, he experienced poverty, oppression and severe, debilitating illness. He suffered greatly in the fulfillment of his daily duty. Nearly anyone can find a reason to seek the help of such a man.

I’ve prayed to John Paul II myself and, at the risk of sounding simplistic, it really does seem to work. It remains to be seen whether his patronage will become more specialized over time. Right now, he is reportedly casting a pretty wide net. If you have special intentions, take note!

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