Feast of Divine Mercy and Canonization of JP2 and JohnXXIII

Ever since Filipinos learned that Pope John Paul II will be canonized, countless preparations were made to ensure that the day is celebrated extra special...after all Pope John Paul II is the Filipino People's beloved pope.

JPII, We love you!

Canonization of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II

Pope John XXIII (25 November 1881 – 3 June 1963) and Pope John Paul II (18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005) reigned as popes of the Roman Catholic Church and the sovereigns of Vatican City (respectively from 1958 to 1963 and 1978 to 2005). Their canonizations were held on 27 April 2014.The decision to canonize was made official by Pope Francis on 5 July 2013 following the recognition of a miracle attributed to the intercession of John Paul II, while John XXIII was canonized for his merits of opening the Second Vatican Council. The date of the canonization was assigned on 30 September 2013. (Taken from Wikipedia, Canonization of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II)

At Eastwood City, Libis

The Eastwood City chapel, used to be dedicated to the Holy Family, is now changed to St. John Paul II Parish (there used to be a c/o sign before, now to commemorate the Canonization of the beloved pope, the church is now lovingly and solely dedicated to him).









The Beloved Pope

Prayer to St. John Paul II

Oh, St. John Paul, from the window of heaven, grant us your blessing! Bless the church that you loved and served and guided, courageously leading it along the paths of the world in order to bring Jesus to everyone and everyone to Jesus. Bless the young, who were your great passion. Help them dream again, help them look up high again to find the light that illuminates the paths of life here on earth.

May you bless families, bless each family! You warned of Satan’s assault against this precious and indispensable divine spark that God lit on earth. St. John Paul, with your prayer, may you protect the family and every life that blossoms from the family.

Pray for the whole world, which is still marked by tensions, wars and injustice. You tackled war by invoking dialogue and planting the seeds of love: pray for us so that we may be tireless sowers of peace.

Oh St. John Paul, from heaven’s window, where we see you next to Mary, send God’s blessing down upon us all. Amen.

Other Canonization Activities

Eastwood also sponsored a public viewing of the Canonization rites in Vatican, watching on a huge LCD screen with a huge crowd of devotees somehow makes you feel like you are in Vatican as well.









World Youth Party

Pope John Paul II is also known as the pope of the youth when he championed World Youth Day. Various  youth groups from the Diocese of Cubao held a program afterwards showcasing the various World Youth Day theme songs...culminating with a grand fireworks display Eastwood City style...

Little Popes and Swiss Guards







Pope John XXIII

Prayer to St. John XXIII

Dear Pope John,

Your simplicity and meekness carried the scent of God and sparked in people’s hearts the desire for goodness. You spoke often of the beauty of the family gathered around the table to share bread and faith: pray for us that once again true families would live in our homes.

With outstretched hands you sowed hope, and you taught us to listen for God’s footsteps as he prepares a new humanity: help us have a healthy optimism of defeating evil with good.

You loved the world with its light and darkness, and you believed that peace is possible: help us be instruments of peace at home and in our communities.

With paternal gentleness you gave all children a caress: you moved the world and reminded us that hands have been given to us not for striking, but for embracing and drying tears.

Pray for us so that we do not limit ourselves to cursing the darkness but that we bring the light, bringing Jesus everywhere and always praying to Mary. Amen.