Orchard Lake — “Santo Subito!” means “Sainthood Now!” This chant was heard at Pope John Paul II’s funeral on April 8, 2005. For Catholics in the Archdiocese of Detroit, especially those of Polish heritage, eight years later isn’t too bad.
Msgr. Stanley E. Milewski, P.A., for one, chancellor emeritus at Orchard Lake Schools, has been unabashedly praying to Blessed John Paul II since the pontiff’s death.
“I was one in spirit with everyone at the Vatican and elsewhere throughout Christendom chanting ‘Santo Subito! Santo Subito!’ (‘Sainthood now!’),” Msgr. Milewski said upon hearing the news that Blessed John Paul II would be declared a saint later this year after his cause received formal approval from Pope Francis on July 5. “Even though the Church is only now officially declaring our beloved Polish pope a saint, I have every confidence that he was welcomed into heaven immediately upon his death.”
Msgr. Milewski reminisced about the soon-to-be-saint’s first visit to the United States and the Orchard Lake campus in 1969, before his pontificate. “We were all completely enthralled with this person, this young charismatic cardinal from Poland.”
Cardinal Edmund C. Szoka, Detroit's archbishop emeritus who also served under Pope John Paul II as governor of the Vatican City State and as president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, said he was thrilled, but not surprised, at the news of the late pontiff's canonization.
"I was delighted," Cardinal Szoka said. "Of course I always knew he would become a saint -- he was the holiest person I have ever met. During the 16 years I worked for and with him, I had a chance to get to know him on many levels: I was with him on his travels, I enjoyed being included for Christmas and Easter dinners, and I had lunch with him many, many times. He was a remarkably holy person. He would listen attentively and was always very kind to me on a personal level. Later on, I never heard him complain about his illness or sickness, even at the end. He accepted everything from God."
Fr. Walter J. Ptak, president of the Polish American Priests Association (PAPA), and pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in the Polish enclave of Wyandotte, met the late Holy Father more than a dozen times.
“I am overjoyed,” at the news of Blessed John Paul II’s coming canonization, he said. Members of the Polish priest association “have taken great pride that Blessed John Paul the Great is one of us; that he is first and foremost a priest at heart. PAPA rejoices with the rest of the world celebrating the announcement of his canonization.
“He is one in a million, a great figure for the Church, the world, and especially for us Polish priests,” Fr. Ptak continued.
He said parishioners at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel could now put the finishing touches on a statue of Blessed John Paul that was made in Krakow, Poland, and would be added to the parish grounds.
“We held off inscribing the monument at its base until now — when we can finally order the inscription, ‘St. John Paul II,’” he said.
Mary Ellen Tyszka, an officer for both the American Council for Polish Culture and the Friends of Polish Art of Detroit and a parishioner at St. Louise de Marillac Parish, Warren, said she would like to be in Rome for the canonization ceremony, which will likely take place later this year.
“I was blessed to be at his beatification, and I want to be in Rome for the canonization,” Tyszka said. “I enjoyed four audiences with Pope John Paul II. I found him very caring and people-oriented.”
While in France for her nephew’s graduation last fall, Tyszka said she prayed to Blessed John Paul II to relieve the knee pain she was experiencing at the time.
“By the time I left the chapel where I prayed, my knees were better and I had no more pain for the remainder of my stay,” she said.
Joseph Sobczak, a longtime member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish on Detroit’s east side, said John Paul II had long been a source of inspiration. “Here is a man from an obscure part of the world who suffered. He became a priest and trusted God. The rest is history,” he said. “His example is for all of us. He had faith in our God, Who loves us. He gave everything for Christ. This reward is there for all of us, though perhaps with not quite so much notoriety,” Sobczak continued, adding that he’s also praying for the canonization of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen.
Retired pharmacist Henrietta Nowakowski, a parishioner at St. Anselm, Dearborn Heights, said she expects the canonization to be a joyous event for the Church.
“The beatification on Divine Mercy Sunday was very exciting and inspiring. I hope to be there for the Canonization which I’m sure will be even more inspiring,” said Nowakowski, who was one of about 30 people to enjoy a private audience with the Holy Father in October 2003, when “I was blessed to be able to meet him and exchange a handshake. It was an incredible honor.”
Denise Ann Stearns is a freelance writer/graphic artist living in Lake Orion. Her company, LIFESTAR SERVICES, provides publication support and print management services to pro-life organizations. Email her at [email protected].
