Miles Jesu: Sons and Daughters of the Immaculate of Heart of Our Lady of the Epiphany, An Ecclesial Family of Consecrated Life in the Catholic Church

Domus Membership / Testimonies

Coming of Age with Pope John Paul II the Great

Pope John Paul II’s 27-year pontificate spanned two full generations of young Catholics. Anyone born from the mid 1950’s up through the end of the twentieth century got at least some of their Catholic formation during the watch of Pope John Paul II, who certainly made every effort to evangelize the young. This month in honor of Pope John Paul’s beatification, Miles Jesu domus and vinculum members of different ages and varying cultures share their testimonies about the influence the “Man from a Far Country” had on their lives.

A Myriad of JPII Youth
Fr. Tom Cahill, MJ
Originally from Beverly Hills, CA, currently at the Miles Jesu boys’ home in India
Two years before the election of John Paul II , i was in the throes of coming back into the “Light.” In the wake of Vatican II there were many disaffected Catholics, plenty of “dissent,” and a general sense of malaise. Other Christian groups seemed more authentically “Christian” and vibrant. I was confused! Did God want me to be a Protestant?

Fr Cahill being ordained by Pope John Paul II

Fr. Tom Cahill being ordained by Pope John Paul II.

A God-sent, solid, Viet Nam vet named Bob asked me three questions to help me get back on track. The last question was “Would you be willing to do anything for the Pope, even die for him?” I thought for a second and answered intuitively, albeit with conviction, “yes.” Bob replied “Congratulations and welcome back to your Catholic Faith!” He predicted that I would find my niche in one week and so it happened, i joined Miles Jesu .

When John Paul II visited the U.S. in 1979 we went to Washington D.C. and felt the power of his personal presence. At Catholic University the crowds were jubilant as he walked towards the auditorium. As he was approaching, buoyed by the serenading of thousands of youths, we began jockeying for position to see him up-close. In the crowd was a small boy like a sapling in the forest whose hopes of glimpsing the Pope were fast fading. Seeing his frustration, i hoisted the lad onto my shoulders and provided him the best seat in the house [Fr. Cahill is 6’5” tall]. I lost my opportunity of a close-up, but knew deep down that I was going to see the Pope face to face sooner or later...

Two years later, some of us were studying in Rome. We attended many papal Masses and functions, and couldn’t get enough of JPII. On one occasion it was our college’s turn to serve a papal Mass. I was with four Czech and three Slovak seminarians vesting in the servers’ sacristy when totally out of the blue the Pope pops in and comes right up to me. I was in shock, wide-eyed, bewildered, but took the hand extended to me and shook it. Then the Pope went to one of the other seminarians who respectfully went down on one knee and kissed the Pope’s ring, like you’re supposed to. The others did the same, chatting, all of them as if they were old friends. After he made the rounds the Pope came back to me and said: “You must be an American!” Sheepishly i said “yes” and felt like a goat...a happy goat!

Several years later i met him again on the occasion of my ordination. I was quite prepared to greet him this time as i had practiced a Polish greeting, Szczesc Boze [“shchenshch Bozha”], for two weeks and was by then making myself somewhat understood. After the Mass, as the Pope was greeting his fifty-nine newly ordained priests, he acknowledged curiously my attempt at that Polish phrase and stopped long enough for me to tell him in lousy Italian that i was a Soldier of Jesus and that all of us “Soldiers” pledged our loyalty to him and loved him—upon which he smiled and replied “Bene! Bene!” i.e., very good.

The last time i saw him was at the World Youth Day in Toronto in 2003. I was there with six young men from the Chicago area, plus about a million others from all parts of the globe. We were all sprawled out in a field waiting the whole day for that magic moment when he’d arrive by helicopter to be with us. Our group was camped out with some Aussies next to some scaffolding which supported media equipment and personnel. When the Holy Father began to speak there was pin-drop silence as all were focused on his message. I was momentarily distracted by two reporters above us who were carrying on a conversation: “When is the old man going to get it that when you speak to youth you need to dazzle them?” and “Let’s face it, he doesn’t have it any more.” They were proved wrong moments later when the Holy Father had finished speaking and a roaring sound arose like a wave breaking and then a crashing explosion of cheers, shouts, whistles, and other raucous noises. Then they chanted “John Paul II-we-love-you” for about ten minutes until the Pope could respond with: “ John Paul II, he loves you, even more!”

Now we have a myriad of JPII youth throughout the world, some of whom have become adults and parents and priests and religious, and bishops. We even now have a Pope who was a very much beloved protege of John Paul II. In spite of a few black eyes and a bloody lip, the Church is looking pretty good now since about 1978 when the Lord sent us a saint who ignited many youthful hearts.

He Keeps On Being An Inspiration
Carmen Ramirez, MJ
Originally from Mexico City, currently at the Mesa, AZ domus
John Paul II has been a great inspiration in my vocation. His charism, his promotion of pro-life, youth and family, just gave so much meaning to the apostolates I have been assigned to do in Miles Jesu. I always felt that we were just following his steps in all our jobs. Thanks to my vocation, I was able to see him in different countries I was sent to. I saw him twice when I went to visit our community in Rome. I saw him in Nigeria—it was so touching to see how much love he gave and how much love he received. In Spain, he got together with the youth; young people were crazy for him. I was in Slovakia, participating in a pro-life convention, when we received the news of his death. At first I felt a deep sadness just to think that such a saint left us on this earth, but then I realized that he just deserved to go and be happy forever and asked him to pray for me. He keeps being an inspiration to me in everything I do.

“My” Pope
Nicole Landreneau
Vinculum member, New Orleans, LA
I loved Pope John Paul II because he was such a real, engaging and dynamic personality. In addition, he reminded me so much of my grandfather, who was born in Poland and emigrated with his family to the U.S. as a child. Their mannerisms were almost identical, and in certain photographs, the Holy Father looked a lot like my grandfather. That visual and cultural similarity made him feel like “my” pope, and I felt a personal connection to him even though I’d never had the opportunity to meet him in person. At the Path to Rome Conference in 2000, I was able to attend the papal audience and was a few rows away when he drove by: that’s as close as I got to meeting him, and it was still a moving experience to be that close. Watching him age and deal with his infirmities in such a heroic manner was inspiring; he truly lived up to the phrase he often repeated: ‘Be not afraid.’

Maria Van Scott, M.J. and Jenny Staab, M.J. with Pope John Paul II in Rome.

Electing a Pope
Maria Van Scott, MJ
Originally from Washington, D.C., currently at the Lublin, Poland domus
When Pope Paul VI died it was the summer between my freshman and sophomore years in high school. Since it was vacation time and our parish was very close to our house, I thought it would be a nice way to “participate” in the election of the next pope by going to Mass every day for that intention during the conclave. Only a few weeks later, Pope John Paul I was also called to his reward. School was in session by then but it was still possible to go to the early Mass. So again I made a point of going to Mass on the days between one pope’s death and the election of the next. But then when Pope John Paul II was elected, that time I didn’t stop attending daily Mass; it became a permanent part of my life. Suddenly “having a pope” became very personal; many of my friends and I felt a new link to the pope, to the Church. A year later he came and visited my hometown of Washington, D.C. and on this, as on all his trips, it was a time of deep spiritual renewal and joy for all those in attendance, which lasted long after the visit ended. I’m sure that the graces he brought with him, and his amazing ability to make the Church and the Faith so personal, had a lot to do with my joining Miles Jesu soon after finishing high school.

Years later, when the Soviet bloc fell apart in 1990, six of us were sent to found Miles Jesu in Eastern Europe. We went through Rome first and had the great privilege of attending Mass in the private papal chapel at the Vatican. After those Masses the pope would always greet everyone personally so we were all practicing ahead of time things we would like to say to him—scrambling to master Polish phrases or at least something fitting in English. But then as the pope came down the line to greet us we all became tongue-tied. We weren’t so much nervous as just so excited it was as if our hearts were so swollen they’d cut off our vocal cords! We did manage a few words. He was very kind and even made a joke or two. We could see that he was happy to know that we were on our way to Poland, Ukraine, and (still at that time) Czechoslovakia, and that was a long-lasting encouragement to us in all the challenges waiting for us. He was so special in so many ways—I am sure history will call him “Pope John Paul the Great.”

His Prayers Brought Me Back
John Griffith
House of Christian Formation member, Phoenix, AZ domus
So many of the graces we receive in life are due to the prayers of people we may never even know. I never met John Paul II, but I believe that his prayers brought me back to the Faith. When I was fourteen, I had become estranged from the Church. I did not want to attend Mass and couldn’t be bothered with God. So my father came up with the brilliant idea of taking me to Rome, the heart of the Catholic Faith, as a way for me to reignite my faith. During our time there, my father, as a recent convert and a theologian in the Church, was invited to attend a small Mass in the Pope’s private chapel. I had, rather foolishly, decided not to come, but my father told me afterwards that he had asked John Paul II for one specific favor: that John Paul II might pray for the conversion of his wayward son. I did not think much of it at that time. And then, only two years later, the grace of Christ refilled my life. While I may never know for sure in this life, I have nevertheless come to believe that my conversion is in large part due to the powerful prayers of Pope John Paul II.

He Played a Key Role in My Life
Dr. Anna Koniarova, MD
House of Christian Formation member, Bratislava, Slovakia domus
“What we give to God is never lost to man.” –John Paul II
The Holy Father John Paul II was very important to me. Many times he was an encouragement to me as I went through life, especially in painful times of loss or trials. He also had a great influence on my vocation; actually this quote of his played a key role for me in recognizing my life’s path. I am also very grateful for the example he gave; deep in my heart are the memories of times when he was near, of his acceptance of suffering and carrying the cross. I often remember his courage, perseverance, his readiness to forgive, and his love for everyone.

A Loving Father
Zoriana Dnistrianska, MJ
Bortniky, Ukraine domus
I “met” John Paul II in 2001 (the year I started living in the Miles Jesu community) when he came to visit L’viv, Ukraine. I especially remember the meeting he had with youth. It was raining but all the youth gathered there listened to him with an open heart. I don’t remember anymore what he said, but I remember very well the way he spoke to us: simply, with depth, and like a loving father. I think that that meeting with the Holy Father and the concern he always had for youth helped strengthen me in my vocation. At that time I didn’t really know anything about him, except that he had some Ukrainian roots. Only later did I get to know him through his writings, and also a film about his life. In 2010 I had the opportunity to be in Wadowice [his hometown], in the home where he lived, in the church where he was baptized. And I thanked God that in my life I had been able to meet him.

Fr. Christopher Foeckler being ordained by Pope John Paul II.

A Continuing Encounter in Prayer
Fr. Chris Foeckler, M.J.
Phoenix, AZ domus
There are several special events that come to mind when I recall Pope John Paul II. One is the consecration of the world he made in St. Peter’s Square on March 25, 1984. All of us MJ seminarians at the time were there together: Paul Vota, Romeo Salcido, Tom Cahill and I had the privilege of being there. There was so much significance to the event that it is hard to include it all: like the assassination attempt on May 13th, 1981 that drew the Holy Father’s attention so dramatically to Fatima the following year and ever after. He had asked all the Bishops of the world to join him in this consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the pilgrim statue of our Lady of Fatima was there in the Square with a mountain of white flowers forming the base. The thing I remember the most among the many special things happening that day was that during the prayer of “entrustment” of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary the Holy Father went off the prepared text and added words to the prayer that were not in the booklets provided by the Vatican for the ceremony.

The Holy Father prayed spontaneously “for all the people particularly dear to your heart and whom you want especially entrusted to you” or words to that effect. I had the distinct impression that our Holy Father was not just reciting a formula, but talking to our Lady. It was really a special expression of the total consecration that John Paul lived every day with his motto Totus Tuus and which continues to inspire me even now.

Another special event is my own ordination by Pope John Paul on May 25th, 1986. Among the many things happening in the two-hour ceremony, the thing I remember most and which continues to inspire me is that throughout all the activity of laying hands on each of us, anointing and then embracing us with a sign of peace, it was so clear that the Holy Father was praying and deeply recollected the whole time. I had, and still have, the distinct impression that he was praying for all of us being ordained and for the adventure and challenges we would all face in our lives as priests, and for our perseverance. It was a completely unmerited and precious gift of God and of Miles Jesu that it ever happened to me.

The last special encounter with Pope John Paul II still continues. Whenever I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to go to Rome since the death of Pope John Paul II I have made it a point that no matter whatever else I get to visit or see there, the one thing I have to do is go by his tomb in the crypt of the Popes under the Basilica of St. Peter’s to pay a visit and pray a rosary at the tomb of John Paul II. Just thinking about that beautiful and holy place, normally crowded with tourists passing by but where there is a small area marked off for those who want to pause and pray awhile in front of the tomb of John Paul brings emotion with it. I’ve heard that with the beatification the tomb of John Paul will be moved to the main level of the Basilica. I am happy for that in a way since it will be easier to visit his tomb, but I will miss the solemn closeness of the crypt where I have brought many heartfelt intentions and needs in the last few years to share with and commend to the very great and holy Pope who made such a big difference in my life and that of so many others in Miles Jesu...and of course millions throughout the world. Blessed John Paul II, please pray for us.

I Knew He Was With Me
Magda Nowicka, M.J.
Lublin, Poland domus
Although born and raised in Poland, i had never seen John Paul II live except for once instance. I call it my personal encounter with John Paul II. It took place during his apostolic visit to Poland in June of 1996. I was finishing my first year of high school and took part in a school pilgrimage to meet the Holy Father in Poznan (in western Poland, about 100 miles from my hometown of Bydgoszcz). I do not remember much as it was fifteen years ago, but as it was my first time to see the Holy Father, our Holy Father, i felt really moved and wanted to see him up close. Unfortunately, as one could expect there turned out to be hundreds of thousands young and excited people there as well. In addition, fifteen years ago things like huge TV screens were not popular yet, so as a result i got to see thousands of people and a white speck on the platform many yards away from me.

It was the beginning of June, so the temperatures were pretty high and with thousands of people around it seemed even hotter. Standing in that crowd i was thinking of a friend of mine who got a chance to sit in the first row in front of the Holy Father as a result of her attending a Catholic school. And just when i was on the verge of bursting into tears i asked God in my heart that i would like to see the Holy Father and be near him. And so it happened, although i wasn’t miraculously transferred to the Holy Father i was immersed into his presence, i felt him and knew he was with me in that moment amidst the crowd, where i was small and invisible, and unknown to him, but truly became his own daughter. Nothing mattered anymore, as i did meet John Paul the II closer and deeper than if i were sitting in front of him. That was my most personal encounter with our Holy Father. I am thankful to God for allowing me to experience the closeness of John Paul II and for letting me leave the place of pilgrimage with a fulfilled heart, a heart that will always remember him and his fatherly presence.

In 1985 Pope John Paul II ordained Miles Jesu’s first priest, Fr. Paul Mary Vota, 1951--2009.

The Gift of John Paul II
Dr. Dave Onubeze, M.D.
Miles Jesu Vinculum member in Onitsha, Nigeria
In 1982, His Holiness, Pope John Paul II visited Onitsha, Nigeria. As a medical officer residing in Onitsha, I was part of the medical team that served at the Holy Mass Arena, now known as “Pope’s Podium.” I was deeply moved seeing the Pope close and live. The whole place was indeed hallowed by his holy presence. It was as if Christ himself visited Onitsha. Many people, not only me, felt the same way. It was the first time a pope was to touch the Nigerian soil.

It was indeed a great privilege to be born a Catholic. Now, as I look back, I realize that, perhaps, one of the greatest attractions that kept me glued to Miles Jesu which I joined in 1985 has been its doggedness in upholding the teachings of the Catholic Church and the membership’s unalloyed commitment to availability for the Pope.

Not only was he the pope after Our Lady’s “Heart” as testified by her during her apparitions, his life and times also bear testimony to this. He was highly devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Eucharist. A prayerful pope, he gave the Church the rosary “Mysteries of Light” and Divine Mercy Sunday. His bold stand on such medical issues as euthanasia, abortion, and artificial methods of birth control and human reproduction has remained my point of reference whenever I am confronted with any of them in the course of my professional practice.

I was deeply touched by the manner he forgave Mehmet Ali Agca, the man that shot and almost killed him. The Pope even went to visit Agca in prison. He also readily apologized for the shortcomings of some past leaders of the church – a virtue rare, which I should emulate.

In conclusion, I am thankful to the Almighty God for His gift of Pope John Paul II to the Church. Yes, God prepared him for his special role as the “millennium Pope.” As a polyglot, able to speak several world languages, he was highly equipped for his building of bridges of understanding among the races and religions of the world. As a foremost evangelizer, he visited several countries, (Nigeria twice) spanning the five continents. And, in a marvelous way, he was instrumental to the demise of communism and the restoration of democracy and religious freedom in Eastern Europe, beginning with his native Poland.
O! Pope John Paul II the Great, you touched my life, and lives of many in more ways than could be written. Pray for me and for all who invoke your help!

The End of a Generation
Jessica Berends
House of Christian Formation member, Chicago, IL domus
I came in at the end of the JPII generation—the very last year of his pontificate was my first in the Church. I think it’s a testament to his life and influence that graces and dear memories can abound even in such a short time.

I can think of two dear memories of John Paul II. The first was in 2005 when John Paul proclaimed the Year of the Eucharist (what a wonderful year to start my Catholic existence in!).

In honor of the proclamation, my parish church where i went to college kept its doors open during the afternoon for people to come and pray. Parishioners would also gather at 3:00 pm to say the Divine Mercy chaplet; and sometimes it was sung! The church was stationed kitty-corner to one of the buildings i had class in, so it was easy to stop in and pray. I liked to be there, and i think it was a year of grace for all of us. During that year i fell more in love with prayer and the Eucharist, and a desire for a consecrated vocation was nourished.

One day the following year (several months after John Paul II’s passing), i was in my college dorm walking around, not really doing anything, but trying to avoid studying. It was actually a house for students in the Newman Club. Someone had left in the living room a prayer composed by John Paul II. He had written it to consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It was a lengthy prayer, full of John Paul II’s poetry, in which he presented all of humanity to the Immaculate Heart, unbelievers included. I started to cry and thank him because i realized he had prayed for my conversion to the Catholic Faith.