Veterans Day - Remembrance Day

Poppies used on Remembrance Day

Since tomorrow is my 1000th post, I will be reviewing some of the most popular posts so far. So I share today a reflection on two celebrations being held on both sides of the Atlantic, remembering the thousands of veterans of wars.

Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth of Nations member states since the end of the First World War to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. The day, specifically designated by King George V on 7 November 1919, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. 

Poppies displayed at the Cenotaph in London

Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918. Hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month." The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem 'In Flanders Fields.' These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red color became a symbol for the blood spilled in the war.

A woman praying by her husband's grave at a Military Cemetery

In the USA, Veterans Day is commemorated on November 11 to give tribute to the service of men and women who lost their lives during past wars. In my parish church here in Bend, I will celebrate Mass during which the names of all fallen veterans will be mentioned, with a toll of a bell after each name. A blessing for all veterans alive will also be given. In the United States, and some other allied nations, November 11th was formerly known as Armistice Day; in the United States it was given its new name in 1954 at the end of the Korean War to honor all veterans. Parades are held in various towns and villages as living veteran are honored and given tribute for the sacrifice they did to safeguard freedom.

The Lateran Basilica of St John

St John Lateran, designed by Alessandro Galilei in 1735

We commemorate today the dedication of one of the 4 major basilicas of Rome, that of St John the Lateran. This majestic basilica was the first church to be built in Christendom.
At the top of the center of the façade stands the Risen Christ, demonstrating that to enter the Church, we must enter into Christ’s body. That is why we as Church are called the “Body of Christ.”
Underneath this statue is the Papal balcony, from which the Pope addresses his faithful – this is to mean that the Pope is literally under Christ as his Vicar on earth.
Directly above the pillars and columns on the façade are 12 bishops of the early Church (known as Doctors) to symbolize that the visible face of the Church is found in the Bishops throughout the east and west.

The statue of St Paul inside the basilica

Then each of the foundational pillars of the basilica’s interior contains an enormous marble statue of the 12 Apostles, to symbolize literally that the Church is built on the foundation of the Apostles. They are all similar in style and size, but done by different sculptors.
In the back of the Church in the apse is a huge mosaic of Christ the Savior hovering over his Cross. In fact the original name of the Church was “Christ the Savior,” named so by Pope Sylvester, just after it was built by King Constantine, who legalized Christianity.
In 313 AD, King Constantine stopped the persecutions and the killing of many innocent martyrs, and he built a Church on a plot of land owned by the Laterani family. It was pillaged and attacked and desecrated over the years, but it survived. However in the 9th century it was destroyed by an earthquake, and Pope Sergius III rebuilt it and dedicated it to St John the Baptist. Later it was also dedicated to St John the Evangelist, and that’s why it is known as the basilica of St John Lateran.

The interior of St John's Lateran Basilica

Now until the 13th century, this Church was the seat of the Pope, his headquarters and his Church government, but then moved to the Vatican, where he still resides, and from where all Church business is conducted. The present facade was completed in 1735, and was done after a competition among Rome’s best architects, the prize and winning design going to Alessandro Galilei.

The top part of the majestic facade with Christ the Savior in the middle

The Crucifix Tree

The Crucifix Tree

This tree was found in my home country of Malta, and I discovered it a few years ago, which led to this photo. It is a pine tree, one of a series of pine trees growing on a very busy street leading up to the town of Rabat. As you can see it can very easily be called a miraculous tree because it grew up in the shape of a crucifix. You can see the entire body of Jesus on it, with his twisted body, curved legs and outstretched arms, as well as his head. I can assure you that it grew up naturally, untouched by human hands. A few more people discovered it after me, and started placing candles, holy cards, and other devotional items. Someone also tried to stain it, which caused irreparable damage, to the extent that it started to deteriorate. Unfortunately, it may have decayed ever since, as during my last visit I could not spot it. It could have very well been replaced by another tree, which explains why I could not find it in its place. But at least while it was still there, many drivers paused and blessed themselves while passing by it, just as most Maltese people are used to doing while passing by churches, cemeteries and memorials where people have been tragically killed by accidents.

We adore You o Christ and we praise You, because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

10 things you will never regret

1. Showing kindness to an aged person.
2. Destroying a letter written in anger.
3. Offering an apology that will save a friendship.
4. Stopping a scandal that was ruining a reputation.
5. Helping a boy or girl find themselves.
6. Taking time to show consideration to parents, friends, brothers and sisters.
7. Refraining from gossip when others around you delight in it.
8. Refusing to do a thing which is wrong, although others do it.
9. Living according to your convictions.
10. Accepting the judgement of God in any question.

I am getting close to posting my 1000th post in this blog. I started on January 5, 2012, and barely missed a day. On Tuesday it will be post number 1000, and I will review the most popular posts on that day.

Praying for Peace

Lord, we pray for the power to be gentle;
the strength to be forgiving;
the patience to be understanding;
and the endurance to accept the consequences
of holding to what we believe to be right.

May we put our trust in the power of good to overcome evil
and the power of love to overcome hatred.
We pray for the vision to see, and the faith to believe
in a world emancipated from violence,
a new world where fear shall no longer lead men and women to commit injustice,
nor selfishness make them bring suffering to others.

Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy
to the task of making peace,
praying always for the inspiration and power
to fulfill the destiny for which we were created.

The Seed

A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.  Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.  He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. "The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then
 judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted
the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure. 
Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however.

He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.  Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful -- in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.  Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"
All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next Chief Executive Officer!  His name is Jim!" Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed.
"How could he be the new CEO?" the others said. Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow.
All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!"
* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment.
* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective.
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.
* If you plant faith, you will reap a harvest.
So, be careful what you plant now;  it will determine what you will reap later. "Whatever You Give To Life, Life Gives You Back"

Saint Charles Borromeo

St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

St. Charles was the son of Count Gilbert Borromeo and Margaret Medici, sister of Pope Pius IV. He was born at the family castle of Arona on Lake Maggiore, Italy on October 2, 1538. He received the clerical tonsure when he was twelve and was sent to a Benedictine abbey at Arona for his education.
In 1559 his uncle was elected Pope Pius IV and the following year, named him his Secretary of State and created him a cardinal and administrator of the see of Milan. He served as Pius' legate on numerous diplomatic missions and in 1562, was instrumental in having Pius reconvene the Council of Trent, which had been suspended in 1552. Charles played a leading role in guiding and in fashioning the decrees of the third and last group of sessions. He was ordained a priest in 1563, and was consecrated bishop of Milan the same year. Before being allowed to take possession of his see, he oversaw the catechism, missal, and breviary called for by the Council of Trent. 
When he finally did arrive at Trent (which had been without a resident bishop for eighty years) in 1556, he instituted radical reforms despite great opposition, with such effectiveness that it became a model see. He put into effect, measures to improve the morals and manners of the clergy and laity, raised the effectiveness of the diocese, established seminaries for the education of the clergy, founded a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine for the religious instruction of children and encouraged the Jesuits to be more visible and active. He increased the systems to the poor and the needy, was most generous in his help to the English college at Douai, and during his bishopric held eleven diocesan synods and six provincial councils. He founded a society of secular priests, Oblates of St. Ambrose (now Oblates of St. Charles) in 1578, and was active in preaching, resisting the inroads of Protestantism, and bringing back lapsed Catholics to the Church. He encountered opposition from many sources in his efforts to reform people and institutions.

He died at Milan on the night of November 3-4, 1584 and was canonized in 1610. He was one of the towering figures of the Catholic Reformation, a patron of learning and the arts, and though he achieved a position of great power, he used it with humility, personal sanctity, and unselfishness to reform the Church, of the evils and abuses so prevalent among the clergy and the nobles of the times.

Here come our Saints

Group photo of all the saints (click to enlarge)

A very special display of saints was held on Sunday in our parish, as I presented 15 different saints, represented by 15 different children from our school and Faith Formation program, dressed in the saints’ outfits. The saints represented were: St Bernadette Subirous, Blessed Mother Teresa, St Helena, St Joan of Arc, St Therese of Lisieux, St Veronica, St Catherine of Siena, St Lucy, St Sebastian, St Michael, St Kateri Tekakwitha, St Katharine Drexel, St John the Baptist, St Gianna Beretta Molla, St Elizabeth of Hungary. More photos are in the parish blog: (www.stfrancisbend.blogspot.com)

Presenting St Kateri Tekakwitha

Presenting St Michael the Archangel

Presenting St Katharine Drexel

Check the parish blog at www.stfrancisbend.blogspot.com  for more photos

Remembering our loved ones

Tombstones in a Malta cemetery

The celebration of All Souls follows that of All Saints. Today thousands of people visit cemeteries to pay their last respects towards their loved ones. In my home country of Malta in particular, families decorate tombstones with flowers, candles and photos. These photos show some of the old tombstones and an overview of a section of the cemetery, which, as you can see, is very crowded. Let us pray especially today for those who have left us this year, and let us also pray for their loved ones. Eternal rest grant unto them o Lord, and may the perpetual light shine on them.

An old bronze tombstone by Gregorio Zappala

Another symbolic tombstone in the Addolorata Cemetery, Malta

Halloween - the day after

A group photo of all the children on Halloween (click to enlarge)

Our school children were all decked up yesterday in their Halloween costumes, and as they paraded in the school corridors, I caught some of them in their classrooms with many creative outfits and costumes. An innovative idea was started yesterday in what was called "Trunk or Treat" whereby parents distributed candy from their car trunks lined up outside, as 140 children waited patiently to fill their bags with candy, chocolate and all kinds of treats. 

"Trunk or Treat" was a huge success and safe way to distribute candy

In the morning, each class presented a saint to commemorate all Saints, after which we had an audio-visual Rosary. Another group of 15 children will be presented during the 10 AM Mass tomorrow to continue our celebration of All Saints combined with All Souls.

One of the classes in a group photo

See more photos in the parish blog at www.stfrancisbend.blogspot.com

Clowning around

2014 - a jester for a day

On this celebration of Halloween, I share with you 4 photos of yours truly with a different costume, each with a story, starting with the most recent one. Earlier this week, our school children were taking reservations for their annual Yearbook, and one of the students was wearing a jester’s hat. So quickly I asked her if I could put it on - and lo and behold, a photo followed. Jester for a day.

2006 - a clown for a day

This reminded of the day I was asked to dress up as a clown during the St Francis de Sales parish picnic of Baker City in 2006. Very few children recognized me that day, and even the adults were wondering when is Father Julian going to show up for the picnic.

2004 - a minstrel for a day

The third one goes back to 2004, to my days in John Day when I took part in a concert or Madrigal Dinner, during which I played the flute as a member of a quartet, dressed as a minstrel, photographed here with the Jester in the play that was part of the successful evening.

2003 - a cowboy for a day

The last photo is the day I became a cowboy in 2003, at least for a day. I actually bought this black hat when arrived in Oregon, and thinking that it will match my clerical outfit, I was happy showing it off, until people were telling me “only the bad guys wear black hats.” Eventually a dear friend of mine gave me a grey one. And that’s when I became a good guy! A safe Halloween to our young children and trick-or-treaters.

The Whale

A female humpback whale had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighed down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, and a line tugging in her mouth.
A fisherman spotted her just east of the Faralon Islands (outside the Golden Gate in San Francisco) and radioed for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her; a very dangerous proposition. One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer. They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her. When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, nudged them, and pushed gently, thanking them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives. The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time, and he will never be the same. 

May you, and all those you love, be so fortunate... to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you. And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.

Baby memories

I thought of sharing with you today three of my baby memories, although I don’t remember them, but my parents told me these stories happened when I was a baby. So they must have happened between 1952 and 1955.
The first relates to this photo of me on a tricycle. So many people are surprised to see me wearing a dress. First of all it is called, I was told, a ‘romper,’ and secondly my mother had two girls before me - so back then it was OK to wear hand-me-downs even if they were from an older sister. Who was I to complain, right? Moreover I was more concerned about balancing on a tricycle than what I was wearing.

The second story relates to me as a one-year old when neighbors came knocking on our door, alerting my parents that their baby was peeing on the people passing by underneath our open balcony.  And this naughty baby just giggled at everyone! Boys will be boys, even in Malta!
The third story was probably when I was 2 or 3, but thankfully I don’t remember it. We had a pepper plant in our garden, and I got hold of one of those red hot chilly peppers, and of course, as every toddler would do with something that is red, I put it in my mouth. My parents told me I cried for a whole week. And probably that is one of the reasons I hate hot weather and love the colder temperatures.

St Simon and St Jude

Other than St Peter and St John, very little is known about the other apostles. But Jesus saw something good in each of them, and even though Judas Iscariot betrayed Him, all the others followed Jesus faithfully and died a martyr’s death. Today we honor two of the lesser know apostles.
St. Simon was surnamed the Zealot for his rigid adherence to the Jewish law and Canaanite Law. Western tradition says that he preached in Egypt and then went to Persia with St. Jude, where both suffered martyrdom. Eastern tradition says that Simon died peacefully in Edessa.

"Mary with Sts Simon & Jude" by Giovanni Maria Butteri

St Jude, known as Thaddeus was a brother of St James the Less and a relative of Jesus. He preached the Gospel in Mesopotamia, Syria, Judea and Libya. He is also the author of a short epistle to the churches of the East, particularly the Jewish converts, directed against the heresies of his time. It is the shortest book of the entire Bible, with just one chapter and 25 verses. St Jude suffered martyrdom in Armenia. St Jude is invoked in desperate situations because his New Testament letter stresses that the faithful should persevere in the environment of harsh and difficult situations. Therefore he is considered as the patron saint in desperate cases.

The Universal Prayer

This is a beautiful prayer attributed to Pope Clement XI who reigned between1700 and1721.

Lord, I believe in you: increase my faith.
I trust in you: strengthen my trust.
I love you: let me love you more and more.
I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.
I worship you as my first beginning,
I long for you as my last end.

I praise you as my constant helper, and call on you as my loving protector.
Guide me by your wisdom, correct me with your justice, comfort me with your mercy, protect me with your power. I offer you, Lord, 
my thoughts: to be fixed on you; 
my words: to have you for their theme; 
my actions: to reflect my love for you;
my sufferings: to be endured for your greater glory.  I want to do what you ask of me: in the way you ask, for as long as you ask, because you ask it.

Lord, enlighten my understanding, strengthen my will, purify my heart, and make me holy.
Help me to repent of my past sins and to resist temptation in the future.
Help me to rise above my human weaknesses and to grow stronger as a Christian.
Let me love you, my Lord and my God, and see myself as I really am: a pilgrim in this world, a Christian called to respect and love all those lives I touch,
those in authority over me or those under my authority, my friends and my enemies.
Help me to conquer anger with gentleness, greed by generosity, apathy by fervor.
Help me to forget myself and reach out toward others.
Make me prudent in planning, courageous in taking risks.
Make me patient in suffering, unassuming in prosperity.

Keep me, Lord, attentive at prayer, temperate in food and drink, diligent in my work, firm in my good intentions.
Let my conscience be clear, my conduct without fault, my speech blameless, my life well-ordered.
Put me on guard against my human weaknesses.
Let me cherish your love for me, keep your law, and come at last to your salvation.
Teach me to realize that this world is passing, that my true future is the happiness of heaven,
that life on earth is short, and the life to come eternal.
Help me to prepare for death with a proper fear of judgment, but a greater trust in your goodness.
Lead me safely through death to the endless joy of heaven.
Grant this through Christ Our Lord.   Amen

A True Story

Joshua Bell performing in a concert hall

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. Three minutes went by and a middle-aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule. A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk. A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly, he was late for work.
The one who paid the most attention was a three-year-old boy. His mother tagged him along hurried, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally, the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on. In the 45 minutes the musician played, only six people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money, but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

An artist's impression of the subway scene in Washington DC

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

A video shot of this true story provided by the Washington Post

This is a real story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the metro station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context? One of the possible conclusions from this experiment could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing some of the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Funeral arrangements

The family of Fr Joe Reinig decided, in consultation with the Bishop that the Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday November 6th at 11 AM at St Francis of Assisi church on 27th Street. The Rosary will be recited on Wednesday November 5th at 7 PM. Bishop Liam Cary will be the main celebrant and homilist. All the priests are invited to concelebrate.

Fr Joe Reinig (1932-2014)

Former Pastor of St Francis of Assisi Parish Fr Joseph Reinig died at St Charles Hospital in Bend on Friday, October 24, 2014. He was administered the last rites the night before and passed away in the afternoon after being recently hospitalized. Fr Joe was married to Helen and together they had 9 children. When Helen died he studied for the priesthood and was ordained to the Diocese of Baker where he served as pastor in various parishes as well as Vicar General for a few years. Under Fr Joe’s pastorship, the new church on 27th Street was built and opened in August 2009. He served as Pastor from 2006 until 2010. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. Our condolence to his children, grandchildren, parishioners, friends, and fellow priests of the Baker Diocese. Eternal rest grant unto him o Lord. May he rest in peace.

A family of painters

A section of a dome at Cathedral Church in Rabat, Gozo, Malta

One particular family of artists from the island of Malta are the Camilleri Cauchi family. Among them is Paul, who is a prolific sacred art painter as if visible from the many ceilings and domes in churches all around the islands of Malta and Gozo. These sections from smaller domes in side chapels are from the Cathedral Church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary in the capital city of Rabat or Victoria in Gozo. 

Most of these figures are popular saints in Malta

His inimitable style makes the figures very realistic, and I was told that frequently he uses family members and close friends as models, especially when painting faces.

The Pumpkin Prayer

Dear Jesus, as I carve my pumpkin, help me pray this prayer:

Open my mind so I can learn about You (cut the top of the pumpkin)

Take all my sins away and forgive the wrong that I do (clean out the inside, yucky stuff means serious sins, every seed means every “No” we said)

Open my eyes so that I can see Your love for me (carve two hearts for the two eyes)

I’m sorry for the times I’ve turned up my nose at what you’ve given to me.
(cut a nose in the shape of a cross)
Open my ears so Your word I will hear. (cut ears shaped like a Bible – square)

The finished Prayer Pumpkin on the right

Open my mouth to tell others You’re near. (cut the mouth in the shape of a fish)

Let your light shine in all I say and do. AMEN (Place a candle inside and light it)

Ask God to fill you up so He can shine brightly through you. Share your faith with your friends and neighbors as you tell them about your special pumpkin.

Pope Saint John Paul II

Pope St John Paul II (1920-2005)

We celebrate today for the first time the liturgical feast of a new saint. Certainly the Man of the 20th century, Pope Saint John Paul II was born Karol Wojtyla on May 18th, 1920 in Poland and became the first non-Italian Pope in almost 400 years. Also known as John Paul the Great, he reigned from October 16th, 1978 until his death on April 2nd, 2005. He was the second longest-serving Pope in modern history after Pope Pius IX who served for nearly 32 years from 1846 to 1878.
As a young boy, he lost his mother at the age of 8 and his father when he was 21. He even had to work at a limestone quarry, but then started his studies at the underground seminary run by Cardinal Sapieha in Krakow. He was ordained a priest on November 1, 1946, and after further studies, he ended up teaching at the Jagiellonian University. He was made a bishop on July 4, 1958 and later became Archbishop of Krakow on June 26, 1967. He remained very staunch to his faith in Poland, even when he became a Cardinal 3 years later. His election as Pope was a big surprise as Pope John Paul I died suddenly after 33 days, and the trend was to elect Italian Popes, but the white smoke showed that a new Pope was chosen on October 16, 1978, aged 58, relatively young for a Pope. 

The day he was elected Pope, October 16, 1978

At the balcony he waved to the thousands gathered in the Piazza and  said “the cardinals have called for a new bishop of Rome. They called him from a faraway land — far and yet always close because of our communion in faith and Christian traditions. I was afraid to accept that responsibility, yet I do so in a spirit of obedience to the Lord and total faithfulness to Mary, our most Holy Mother.”
John Paul II is recognized as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland and eventually all of Europe. John Paul II significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. He upheld the Church's teachings against artificial contraception and the ordination of women, supported the Church's Second Vatican Council and its reform, and in general held firm to orthodox Catholic stances.

He was one of the most traveled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate. As part of his special emphasis on the universal call to holiness, he beatified 1,340 people and canonized 483 saints, more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the preceding five centuries. He was very much devoted to the Blessed Mother, well respected in his native Poland, especially with the famous Black Madonna, and he even chose his motto as Totus Tuus, “Totally Yours,” even with the letter M on his coat-of-arms.
John Paul II's cause for canonization commenced in 2005 one month after his death with the traditional five-year waiting period waived. His successor Pope Benedict XVI beatified him on May 1st 2011 after the Congregation for the Causes of Saints attributed one miracle to him, the healing of a French nun from Parkinson's disease. A second miracle, attributed to the late pope, was approved and confirmed by Pope Francis two days later. John Paul II was canonized on 27 April 2014, alongside Pope John XXIII.