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My Dear Young Friends: Pope John Paul II Speaks to Teens on Life, Love, and Courage

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Young people around the world adored Pope John Paul II. He won their hearts and minds because he genuinely believed in their ability to change the world for the better. He cared about them. He respected them. Most important, he challenged them to a deep and profound love for Christ through his Church. My Dear Young Friends, a collection of 52 weekly reflections on living in the Spirit, invites young people to read and act on Pope John Paul II's inspiring addresses to young people gathered at annual World Youth Day celebrations. Each weekly reflection in My Dear Young Friends contains the following

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

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Pope John Paul II

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Saint Pope John Paul II (Latin: Ioannes Paulus II), born Karol Józef Wojtyła was elected Pope at the Conclave of 16 October 1978, and he took the name of John Paul II. On 22 October, the Lord's Day, he solemnly inaugurated his Petrine ministry as the 263rd successor to the Apostle. His pontificate, one of the longest in the history of the Church, lasted nearly 27 years.

Driven by his pastoral solicitude for all Churches and by a sense of openness and charity to the entire human race, John Paul II exercised the Petrine ministry with a tireless missionary spirit, dedicating it all his energy. He made 104 pastoral visits outside Italy and 146 within Italy. As bishop of Rome he visited 317 of the city's 333 parishes.

He had more meetings than any of his predecessors with the People of God and the leaders of Nations. More than 17,600,000 pilgrims participated in the General Audiences held on Wednesdays (more than 1160), not counting other special audiences and religious ceremonies [more than 8 million pilgrims during the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 alone], and the millions of faithful he met during pastoral visits in Italy and throughout the world. We must also remember the numerous government personalities he encountered during 38 official visits, 738 audiences and meetings held with Heads of State, and 246 audiences and meetings with Prime Ministers.

His love for young people brought him to establish the World Youth Days. The 19 WYDs celebrated during his pontificate brought together millions of young people from all over the world. At the same time his care for the family was expressed in the World Meetings of Families, which he initiated in 1994. John Paul II successfully encouraged dialogue with the Jews and with the representatives of other religions, whom he several times invited to prayer meetings for peace, especially in Assisi.

Under his guidance the Church prepared herself for the third millennium and celebrated the Great Jubilee of the year 2000 in accordance with the instructions given in the Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio adveniente. The Church then faced the new epoch, receiving his instructions in the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio ineunte, in which he indicated to the faithful their future path.

With the Year of the Redemption, the Marian Year and the Year of the Eucharist, he promoted the spiritual renewal of the Church. He gave an extraordinary impetus to Canonizations and Beatifications, focusing on countless examples of holiness as an incentive for the people of our time. He celebrated 147 beatification ceremonies during which he proclaimed 1,338 Blesseds; and 51 canonizations for a total of 482 saints. He made Thérèse of the Child Jesus a Doctor of the Church.

He considerably expanded the College of Cardinals, creating 231 Cardinals (plus one in pectore) in 9 consistories. He also called six full meetings of the College of Cardinals. His most important Documents include 14 Encyclicals, 15 Apostolic Exhortations, 11 Apostolic Constitutions, 45 Apostolic Letters. He promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the light of Tradition as authoritatively interpreted by the Second Vatican Council. He also reformed the Eastern and Western Codes of Canon Law, created new Institutions and reorganized the Roman Curia.

In the light of Christ risen from the dead, on 2 April 2005 at 9.37 p.m., while Saturday was drawing to a close and the Lord's Day was already beginning, the Octave of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday, the Church's beloved Pastor, John Paul II, departed this world for the Father. On April 1, 2011, he was raised to the glory of the altars and on April 27, 2014 canonized.

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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Profile Image for Rena.
1,196 reviews
December 30, 2012
I found this truly inspirational throughout the year. It has really helped me look at my life just a little differently. It is religious if that is not obvious. I do recommend it to anyone who wants some inspiration and ideas of how to turn there lives around toward Christ.
Profile Image for Yjones.
1 review
June 14, 2011
This book is filled with inspiring and thought-provoking quotes by Pope John Paul II. It is truly a lovely book, and I would recommend it to Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
Profile Image for Brandi.
20 reviews
September 5, 2013
Very nice inspirational book that gives you weekly inspirations and quotes from Pope John Paul II. it asks you about things to think about & try. Also gives you facts about pope John Paul's II life experiences
Profile Image for Joanne Goon.
16 reviews11 followers
September 1, 2007
This is such an inspirational book filled with words of encouragement for young people. It truly reflects the tenderness that John Paul II had for the youth.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

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