Giants of Faith: Pope John Paul II and Blessed Mother Teresa
by Julie Zimmerman

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Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II both knew suffering early in life, as well as in old age. Brought up in religiously devout households, they each lost a parent while they were still children: the pope's mother died when he was 8, and Mother Teresa's father died when she was 7. John Paul II also lost his father and beloved older brother by the age of 22.

Both Mother Teresa and the pope also experienced physical suffering in their later years. Mother Teresa suffered from heart problems for two decades before dying of a heart attack in 1997, while Pope John Paul II suffers from Parkinson's disease and other ailments that have left him unable to walk and made it difficult for him to speak. Their early losses and later suffering served to strengthen their faith and their dependence on God.

Although both the pope and Mother Teresa entered religious life as young adults, their vocations continued to evolve throughout their lives. As a young priest, Karol Wojtyla (the pope's birth name) was interested more in the theater and poetry than in politics. But as he rose in the Church in his native Poland, he acquired political skill as he confronted his country's Communist government. He grew so skillful that he was eventually credited with helping to bring about the fall of Communism.

Mother Teresa made a dramatic change in her vocation. After teaching wealthy girls in a Calcutta school for more than a decade, she listened to an inner voice that told her to go into the streets and serve the poorest of the poor. She did just that, even though it meant being released from her order and founding the Missionaries of Charity. Their examples are a reminder that God continues to call us to new challenges throughout our lives.

Another trait Mother Teresa shared with John Paul II is a strict and regular habit of prayer. Despite their extensive travels and exhaustive schedules, both credited regular prayer with giving them the strength to accomplish all they did. Their devotion also helped them to embrace their faith even when it was difficult to do so. The pope was forced to study at an underground seminary during the Nazi occupation, while Mother Teresa left her family and moved twice, first to Ireland and then to India, to follow her vocation.

Finally, both Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa have always reached out to populations that they thought especially needed to hear the Gospel. Young people have been a special focus of John Paul II's papacy. In his travels he has also reached out to people in developing countries, particularly in Africa and Asia. Mother Teresa spent her life caring for those whom no one else cared about: the dying, lepers, orphans, AIDS patients and others.

As the world celebrates these two giants of faith, we should remember to do more than simply admire them. We should study their lives, learn from their examples and do our part to create the Kingdom of God here on earth.

Julie Zimmerman
Managing editor, AmericanCatholic.org and sister sites

Next month: Resources for Advent

Parish Site of the Month

St. Thomas Parish, Diocese of Rochester This is a busy site, which in Web design is not always a good thing, but it offers just about everything a Catholic could want, and then some. In addition to an extensive list of parish ministries and activities, there are reflections from Rochester Bishop Matthew Clark, daily readings and rosary mysteries, links to the liturgy of the hours and catechism, Catholic news and other information helpful to all Catholics. There's also plenty here that's specifically targeted at St. Thomas members: a parish Catholic book discussion, advice on what to do if you're going to be hospitalized, and a list of people with parish ties who are serving in the armed forces.

Worth a Click

AN ANNIVERSARY LOOK AT THE POPE
The Papacy of Pope John Paul II
This site from the Daughters of St. Paul opens with a moving video clip of John Paul II at various points throughout his tenure. It also includes an extensive biography, quotes from the pope on various topics, an explanation of how a pope is chosen and recommended resources, including some for kids. An attractive and well-organized site.

AND A BEATIFICATION LOOK AT MOTHER TERESA
Mother Teresa: The Official Site of the Cause for Canonization
This site offers information about Mother Teresa in six languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French, German and Portuguese. Sections include a biography, prayers and reflections, a history of the cause for canonization, and details surrounding her beatification (schedule, ticket info, etc.). A downloadable poster for her beatification is also available.

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