US bishops designate St John Paul II National Shrine
March 21, 2014 - Ahead of Pope John Paul II’s April 27 canonization, the U.S. bishops
have named a Washington D.C.-based facility as a national shrine to commemorate the
Polish Pontiff. Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, president of the U.S. bishops’
conference, said the action reflects “the love of Catholics in America for John Paul
II.” “This national shrine is truly America’s fitting tribute and remembrance of
his legacy,” said the archbishop, who signed a March 19 decree recognizing the shrine.
Patrick Kelly, the shrine’s executive director, voiced gratitude for the designation,
saying the shrine is “dedicated to a great saint who bore courageous witness to the
love of God and the dignity of the human person.” The Saint John Paul II National
Shrine will mark its namesake’s canonization with liturgical celebrations, a reception,
and a gathering for young people. The shrine, currently known as the Bl. John Paul
II Shrine, was acquired by the Knights of Columbus in 2011 to create a memorial to
the Polish Pope and to teach about his contributions to the Church and society. It
hosts a relic of the Pope: a vial of his blood given to the Knights of Columbus by
Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow, the Pope’s longtime personal secretary. (Source:
CNA)