Feast Day Reflection
You know, when you think about Pope John Paul II, it's hard
not to be moved by his story. Here was a man who survived Nazi occupation,
worked in a quarry while secretly studying for the priesthood, lost his entire
family by age twenty, and yet radiated this incredible joy and hope everywhere
he went. He was shot in St. Peter's Square and later visited his would-be
assassin in prison to offer forgiveness. This wasn't just any religious leader,
this was someone who truly lived what he preached, and the world felt it.
People of all faiths were drawn to him because his faith wasn't abstract or
distant; it was alive, personal, and deeply connected to real human experience.
What's really beautiful is how Pope John Paul II had this profound devotion to
Mary and the Rosary his entire life. It wasn't just a routine prayer for him; it
was his lifeline. He prayed it daily, even during the busiest times of his
papacy. He often said his best decisions came while praying the Rosary, that it
gave him clarity and peace in the storm. And here's the thing: he noticed
something was missing. The traditional Rosary had the Joyful Mysteries (Jesus's
birth and childhood), the Sorrowful Mysteries (his passion and death), and the
Glorious Mysteries (his resurrection and triumph). But what about Jesus's
public ministry? What about all those incredible moments when Jesus walked
among us, teaching, healing, and revealing who he was?
In 2002, after years of prayer and reflection, John Paul II introduced the
Luminous Mysteries - the Mysteries of Light. Guided by the Holy Spirit, he
added five powerful moments from Jesus's public life: his Baptism in the
Jordan, the Wedding at Cana, the Proclamation of the Kingdom, the
Transfiguration, and the Institution of the Eucharist. It was like he completed
the picture, giving us the full story of Jesus's life in prayer. And he did it
with such humility, not as a command but as a gentle gift to the Church, saying
essentially, "I've found these meditations so meaningful, I think you
might too."
What makes this so inspiring is that Pope John Paul II was in his eighties when
he introduced these mysteries, physically weakened by Parkinson's disease but
spiritually on fire. He could have just maintained tradition, but instead, he
listened to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and had the courage to add
something beautiful to a prayer that had been prayed for centuries. It shows us
that even ancient traditions can grow and breathe, that the Holy Spirit is
still active and speaking, still illuminating new ways to encounter Jesus. The
"Luminous" Mysteries, what a perfect name! They literally bring light
to the space in Jesus's story we might have been overlooking.
The impact has been tremendous. These mysteries have helped millions of
Catholics connect more deeply with Jesus's teachings and miracles. When you
pray the Luminous Mysteries on Thursdays, you're walking with Jesus as he
begins his mission, as he performs his first miracle at his mother's request,
as he calls people to conversion and reveals his glory on the mountain. You're
present at the Last Supper when he gives us himself in the Eucharist. It makes
the Rosary feel more complete, more like you're really journeying through the
entirety of Jesus's life with Mary as your guide. For people who might have
found the Rosary repetitive or disconnected from Scripture, these mysteries
opened up whole new layers of meaning.
Pope John Paul II's gift of the Luminous Mysteries reminds us that holiness
isn't about being perfect, it's about being open. Open to the Holy Spirit's
whispers, open to trying something new even when it's unconventional, open to
sharing what moves your heart even if you're not sure how it will be received.
This pope, who had every reason to become bitter or closed off after all his
suffering, instead remained radically open to God's voice until his final days.
And because of that openness, our prayer lives are richer, our understanding of
Jesus is fuller, and our journey with the Rosary is more luminous than ever.
That's the kind of legacy that doesn't just make history, it makes saints.
So on this feast day, October
22nd, as we celebrate the life of Saint Pope John Paul II, what better way to
honor him than by praying the very mysteries he gave us? Pick up your Rosary
today and walk through those Luminous Mysteries, let yourself be baptized with Jesus
in the Jordan, stand beside Mary at Cana, hear Jesus proclaim the Kingdom,
witness the Transfiguration's glory, and kneel at the Last Supper. As you pray,
remember this holy man who loved the Rosary so much that he wanted to share
more of Jesus's light with all of us. Saint John Paul II, pray for us, and help
us stay as open to the Holy Spirit as you were. May we, like you, bring a
little more light into this world.
©2025 James Dacey, Jr., OFS
