April 2, 2025: The 20th Anniversary of St. Pope John Paul II’s Death
I love, love, love John Paul II. Even my time dating back to college and certainly the major seminary, he became a massive influence on me. His story is almost without comparison. In fact I remember an elderly priest once saying that if you were to invent the character of John Paul II for a fictional novel it would be too unbelievable: Grew up under Nazi occupation, and then Communist occupation, fighting against both; became a bishop at 38 and pope at 58. He was one of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century. (Try to read some of his books.)
Through a stroke of Divine Providence I met him in person less than 48 hours after I was ordained a priest back in 1968 and met him six more times after that, the last time being just a few months before his death.
He is the first pope to have been beatified by his immediate successor and then, of course, was canonized a saint by Pope Francis, the next pope. While he was still alive, I would often say, “The day Pope John Paul II dies is the day he becomes my favorite saint.” And it is true. Even in death when I watch videos of John Paul II he makes me want to be a better priest.
I was very happy to be able to commission one of our new stained glass windows at St. James to be of him, and before I came here I had a life sized statue of him hand-carved for St. John’s Parish in Woodland (check it out sometime).
The reason I bring this up is because this Wednesday, April 2nd, will be the 30th anniversary of his death. That is almost hard to believe! To me it seems like yesterday in many ways. During that weekday Mass at 8:00 AM at St. James, I will bring a few relics out from my collection that are associated with this, my favorite saint. If you have a chance to make it to Mass that morning, take advantage of it!
Father Richard Kunst
Meeting Pope John Paul II Who Blesses His Priesthood
Go to 4:35 to hear this moving story!
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- Cabinet containing the reliquary of Saint John Paul II
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- Reliquary Containing the Blood of Saint John Paul II
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- Statue of St. John Paul II in St. John the Evangelist Church
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- Pope St. John Paul II: Statue
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- Letter Regarding Authenticity of Reliquary Containing the Blood of Saint John Paul II
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- Document Authenticating the Relic of Saint John Paul II
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- Pope St. John Paul II
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- Pope John Paul II
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- Train Pass Issued to Father Karol Wojtyla June 29, 1958, with Signature & Photo ID
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- Train Pass Issued to Father Karol Wojtyla June 29, 1958
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- Signed Easter Card from Cardinal Karol Wojtyla
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- 7 Rosaries Gifted to Father Richard Kunst From Pope Saint John Paul II & One from Bp. Robert Brom
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- Photo With Signature of Pope John Paul II
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- Photo With Signature of Pope John Paul II, Close up
The Reliquary Containing the Blood of Pope St. John Paul II
In May of 1981 papal travel protocol was changed with the assassination attempt of Pope John Paul II. Because of the Pope’s rare blood type there was concern of a shortage for his needs when he lost so much blood from the gunshot wounds.
After he healed his doctors decided to draw his own blood so as always to have a fresh supply in case there was another emergency. So after 1981 everywhere the pope traveled so did a few pints of his own blood just in case. After his death (almost exactly 10 years), these spare pints of his blood became relics of a saint.
The Church has allowed distribution of some of his blood to various churches and dioceses throughout the world for veneration. I am humbled to have been chosen to receive a relic of Saint John Paul’s blood through the assistance of my friend, Archbishop Schnurr of Cincinnati.
The anniversary of the Pope’s death is April 9th.
This relic of Saint John Paul’s blood will be exposed for veneration at the Curator’s parish.
Papal Artifacts extends our gratitude to Archbishop Schnurr and to Father Richard Kunst for their great devotion to this modern day saint and for their abilities to bring him home to us.
Saint John Paul, pray for us!
