Like many Catholics of my generation, I have a great love for Pope St. John Paul II, who, along with St. Teresa of Calcutta, was the worldwide face of Catholicism in the 1980s and ’90s. How blessed we were to hear and see these living saints in real time as they ministered to the world with their love and wisdom.
As nearly two decades have passed since JPII’s death in 2005, I have grown to love and appreciate him even more. He is one of my favorite saints and one whose intercession I seek daily. I’ve long wanted a copy of A Boy Who Became Pope: The Story of Saint John Paul II. Despite the fact that my children have pretty much grown out of picture books, I treasure the anniversary edition copy sent to me by Pauline Books and Media.
The hardcover picture book is beautifully and lovingly written and illustrated by Fabiola Garza, a character artist at Disney Creative Group. It follows Karol Wojtyla from birth through his papacy and death, enumerating the deaths in his immediate family and demonstrating his persistent desire to discern God’s call.
The story is set in his home in Wadowice, Poland, later expanding to Krakow and Rome. Despite being originally published in 2014, JPII’s life story is remarkably fresh. The world is still sadly rife with anti-Semitism and Communism as well as the unavoidable suffering that is inherent to the human condition.
Reading JPII’s story once again, even in simple terms–but as a middle-aged adult, I am struck by his remarkable fortitude and reminded the saints are not cowardly but bold and courageous. We could all benefit from this saint’s prayers and his example.
A particularly poignant page has JPII echoing Peter’s thrice repeated call to feed Jesus’s sheep as JPII contemplates accepting the papacy. Details such as a small image of JPII’s beloved black Madonna in the shadows add such richness to the depictions of his life.
I hope this lovely book is treasured for generations by young Catholics who strive for holiness by becoming who they are called by God to be–in their families, neighborhoods, countries, and in the Church. J-P-2, we [still] love you!
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