Pope John Paul II

To the Clergy, Religious and Faithful of the Diocese of Peoria:

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Hundreds of millions were inspired by his life, millions poured into Rome to mourn his death, and now the Universal Church prepares to recognize him as Blessed in Heaven. Pope John Paul II was truly one of the greatest pope’s in history.

His successor, Pope Benedict XVI will preside at his beatification on May 1, Divine Mercy Sunday in Rome. I encourage our local Church to celebrate that day in our parishes and communities. It would be fitting to invoke the newly Blessed in the Prayers of the Faithful and in the Third Eucharistic Prayer.

The Saturday following the Beatification – May 7, 2011 the First Saturday of the Month of Our Blessed Mother – I invite all of you to gather with me at the Cathedral for a Mass of Thanksgiving at 10:30 a.m. As Pope John Paul II meant so much to the priests of our diocese – young and old – I invite our priests to continue the celebration with a festive lunch in my residence following the Mass.

Having been our Holy Father for over 27 years, many people had direct contact with JPII. If anyone has a second class relic – an article having been touched by or received from him – and would like to include it for veneration at the May 7th Mass, please contact Msgr. Stanley Deptula at the Office of Divine Worship – 309-671-1550.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
+Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.
Bishop of Peoria