• From a WYD Pilgrim John Paul II I love you

that's our girl, Maria!, love you, mom and dad

Though my experience of the Holy Father is limited, I will always remember that the TV and newspapers did not do him justice. Being in his presence at WYD was far more moving than I could have anticipated and I will be always grateful to have been part of that little piece of history. It is a true testiment to his character that he could connect with so many young people. Meg Garnett

I am faced with a great challenge giving a short testimony on Pope John Paul II, because I cannot figure out how I can express all of my sentiments and emotions for someone who has done so much during his life for humanity, world peace, youth, and even in dying giving death a new light and dignity.
I owe a great debt of gratitude to Pope John Paul II. A man whom I've never truly met has drastically changed my life, and the lives of countless other youth around the world. You do not have to be a member of the Catholic faith to realize what he has done for the world but in my case more importantly what he has done for youth.
This simple but brilliant man from Krakow, Poland has taught us a great many things. Unlike members of previous Papacies he has inspired the youth of the world and of the Roman Catholic Church, like myself, to become more active in our spiritual, and faith lives, and he has given us a place and role in the Church. This Pope was the first to acknowledge the youth as not only the future leaders of the Church, but the leaders of today, and now.
Pope John Paul II was inspiring to say the least. A man whom I only came to really understand and know at the age of 15 or 16 when first hearing about World Youth Day, and then later attending it in Toronto in 2002, has inspired me to work towards earning the Canadian Certificate in Youth Ministry, and to go on to become a teacher Chaplain in high schools, hopefully changing and impacting lives as much as he has. His love for youth was insurmountable, and I hope to be given the grace of God to emulate him.
I will never forget his words to us on the occasion of the vigil at Downsview Park in Toronto during World Youth Day which expressed his desire to spend the night with us, but understanding that he could not as he was very frail and sick. He said to us in a very saddened way "The Pope's mind is young, but my body is old" and then went on to encourage us not only through our night, but in our lives.
He had a desire that through his Papacy that youth would come to meet him, and learn of Jesus, and we have done just that. He even expressed this in has last words, "I have looked for you, and now you have come to me, and I thank you."
My response and way of thanking the Pope is to dedicate my life, commitment and encouragement to youth activism and youth ministry, as well as through attending the next World Youth Day this summer in Koln, Germany and to carry on this wonderful tradition. Today I am still numb over the death of the Pope.
I continue to watch coverage of the Vatican hoping that I can finally convince myself that my Papa is gone. However I am very happy for him because he did not deserve the suffering and now he has gone to meet our Creator, Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I miss you and I love you Papa.

-Jennifer Kolz-