It's hard for me to believe that it was 50 years ago this week that Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was elected pope and took the name John XXIII. I was 11 years old at the time and the new pope was 76. Because of his age his papacy was expected to be short and transitional. He died only 5 years after his election and his work was "transitional" - he convened Vatican Council II and provided the Roman Catholic Church the bridge for its transition into a new age.
I have always counted myself fortunate for having been born long enough before Vatican II to have a good memory of the Church prior to the Council and all the change and development that flowed from it.
And I count myself blessed to have lived in the time of Blessed John XXIII and to be a priest in the Church that owes so much to his memory.
-ConcordPastor
Lovely and loving tribute. My Jewish mother considered him "her" Pope and he was much-loved in our Jewish home. When I entered the Church and she asked, "how did this happen?" I mentioned John XXIII, among other people and things.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to read Meredith's comment. I have a good friend who is Jewish and is named John. His mother thought that Pope John was a great man and proceeded to name her first son after him!
ReplyDeleteAs for the influence of John XXIII, as someone born in 1957, even from my young eyes, I watched the impact of Vatican II unfold.
He was a wise man and a good one, I think of him often in my prayers.
Somehow Pope John XXIII seemed to be so down to earth, so real, so warm, so approachable. I think that is part of why so many people then and today truly loved this pope.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad this man lit up my life and those of so many others!
ReplyDeleteI shall always love him.
I remember my mother being glued to our tiny black and white TV as John XXIII was being elected...she was riveted. I did not fully understand it at the time, but I came to understand it as I have been blessed to live the impact he had...
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