• "You have come to me ... and I thank you"

In the early morning darkness of Friday, April 8, while some or perhaps many Canadians still slumbered, the final chapter in a drama which has been played out on the world stage for the past twenty-six, almost twenty-seven years, took place amidst a ceremony which is without precedent.

I was a young teenager when Karol Wojtyla was elected as the 263rd successor of the Apostle Peter. Even at the age of 13 years, I knew that this man, called to shepherd the Church, would bring a wind of change with him.

The papacy of John Paul II has been characterized by many major moments which have been spoken of widely in the media during the week following his death, but I was most deeply struck by his simplicity and honesty when speaking about his convictions (although he himself was a multi-faceted man), his deep and abiding devotion to the Blessed Virgin and his constant commitment to the priesthood.

In a world where many other voices call out to our young (and not so young) speaking of the fantasy of satisfaction found in material wealth, Pope John Paul II spoke to us of the love of Christ which surpasses all our desires. He challenged us all to be fervent about our faith and to take an active part in proclaiming it to the world. He was a hero for those of us who seek models of faith, life and love.

During his papacy, he made a point of traveling to the furthest points of the globe. His constant desire was to visit the faithful throughout the world because he wanted to tell them that he, the Pope loved them and that God loves them.

His special love for the young was apparent in the many encounters he had with them throughout his priesthood, in Poland and in the 20 World Youth Day celebrations over which he presided. This love was echoed in the voices of those who gathered for two days in St. Peter's Square to pray with him in the final hours of his earthly life.

As the news of his death spread throughout the world, the Cardinals of the Church along with many Bishops and priests made hasty plans to travel to Rome for the funeral. Yet something about this moment was vastly different. In addition to Heads of State, Kings, Queens and other dignitaries, the jewel in his crown, the youth of the world, gathered by the hundreds of thousands from far and wide to witness this funeral ritual, but more importantly to say goodbye to their Papa.

The funeral liturgy, a mixture of the ceremony and humanity which has characterized the public celebrations of John Paul's pontificate was interrupted several times by the crowds who chanted, "Giovani Paolo" and "Santo Subito".

Laid to rest in the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica, within a cypress coffin, a lead coffin and an oak outer coffin, and buried in the ground in the space formerly occupied by his predecessor John XXIII, John Paul II will continue to attract people young and old for many years to come, and the words published from his deathbed will continue to ring out ... "You have come to me ... and I thank you".

Reverend Anthony Man-Son-Hing