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In God's Hands: The Spiritual Diaries of Pope Saint John Paul II
Available for the first time in English, the private reflections of the modern pope recently elevated to sainthood—deeply personal writings that reveal a spiritual leader who agonized over his service to God, continually questioning whether he was doing enough.
As the head of the Roman Catholic Church for twenty-five years, from the final decades of the twentieth century to the first years of the new millennium, Pope Saint John Paul II significantly impacted our world. As famous as a rock star, this powerful leader who conferred with numerous heads of state was the ultimate model of wisdom and religious commitment for numerous Catholics around the globe.
Throughout much of his adult life, from 1962 until two years before his death in 2003, John Paul II kept a series of private diaries in which he disclosed his innermost thoughts, impressions, and concerns. Written in his native Polish and never before available in English until now, these journals provide intimate and deeply moving insight into a man, a priest, and a saint’s spirituality and a life devoted completely to God.
In God’s Hands lays bare the soul of this powerful, influential statesman, revealing a devout man untouched by his celebrity status; a selfless servant of God who spent decades questioning whether he was worthy of the role he was called to carry out. Over forty years, from his bishopric in Krakow to his election to the papacy to his final years, one question guided him: "Am I serving God?"
Entrusted to his personal secretary—who defied John Paul II’s instructions to burn them after his death—these notebooks provide us with a privileged glimpse into the life of a humble man who never took for granted his mission or his exalted role in the church and in the world.
As the head of the Roman Catholic Church for twenty-five years, from the final decades of the twentieth century to the first years of the new millennium, Pope Saint John Paul II significantly impacted our world. As famous as a rock star, this powerful leader who conferred with numerous heads of state was the ultimate model of wisdom and religious commitment for numerous Catholics around the globe.
Throughout much of his adult life, from 1962 until two years before his death in 2003, John Paul II kept a series of private diaries in which he disclosed his innermost thoughts, impressions, and concerns. Written in his native Polish and never before available in English until now, these journals provide intimate and deeply moving insight into a man, a priest, and a saint’s spirituality and a life devoted completely to God.
In God’s Hands lays bare the soul of this powerful, influential statesman, revealing a devout man untouched by his celebrity status; a selfless servant of God who spent decades questioning whether he was worthy of the role he was called to carry out. Over forty years, from his bishopric in Krakow to his election to the papacy to his final years, one question guided him: "Am I serving God?"
Entrusted to his personal secretary—who defied John Paul II’s instructions to burn them after his death—these notebooks provide us with a privileged glimpse into the life of a humble man who never took for granted his mission or his exalted role in the church and in the world.
512 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
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About the author
Pope John Paul II
1,046 books630 followersSaint 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.
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 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 8, 2020
I was born in the 90’s during the saint’s papacy and I can remember the time when I thought the pope was always and would always be John Paul II. I love Benedict XVI too but John Paul II is so fond to my childhood memories, though I know so little about him. This book gives a broader and deeper view of John Paul II as a man, a priest, and a pope. In him, we see the truth echoed by the Bible and by so many saints, that the One Thing Needed is a personal relationship with the Lord, through prayer life and contemplation. From there will flow greatness of character, greatness of work, and certainly holiness.
February 22, 2024
Pope John Paul II was an amazing writer. However, I couldn’t get past the Kindle formatting. It drove me crazy. I had trouble concentrating and following this book. Therefore I didn’t finish reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2017
Whenever I think of October, I think of Pope John Paul II. It was when his papacy began (October 16, 1978), and it is when his Feast Day is (October 22). Though, he was one of the longest reigning popes in history, I only knew of him for a brief time as he passed away shortly after my conversion. I own almost everything he has ever written (including published works before he was Pope), so when I heard there was a new book published I was instantly intrigued. The book is entitled In God's Hands: The Spiritual Diaries of Pope Saint John Paul II.
The book is approximately 500 pages in length and contains the personal notes and reflections, primarily related to retreats and reflection days between 1962 and 2003. Some of the retreats include his arrival in Rome for Vatican II, the anniversary of his priestly ordination, and his election to the papacy, and even a Vatican retreat given by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI). The format of this book tried to maintain the integrity and format of the notebooks. In doing so, we see a lot of one-line notes which we can glean deep spirituality, but the pages would benefit more highly from actually having access to retreat transcripts. What is most telling about his notes is the self-reflection questions he asks himself. For example, he questions if anything is overshadowing his single work of being a sign of Christ. In this same reflection, we know that Christ is the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep. He then questions if he knows all his priests, and what can he do better? This shows a great deal of humility, self-awareness, and a desire to continuously improve.
Overall, the book was an interesting read. It is not a book that you just casually stroll through, but one that you read slow and have to dig deep into to get to the heart of the book. With that said, I was a bit conflicted reading this book. Pope John Paul II asked that his spiritual diaries be destroyed, but his secretary saw the merit in these works and preserved them for spiritual edification of others. I appreciate that, because the words of a great saint should not be destroyed, but I also understand the want to have your personal thoughts kept private and not published. You will have to ultimately decide if you feel comfortable reading this work or not.
This book was provided to me for free by HarperOne in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2021
My generation (80s) grew up while Pope John Paul II led the Church. Malta, my country, had the privilege to welcome him on 3 occasions while he traveled on the footsteps of St. Paul. While I am not a hard practicing catholic, I am filled with enough Christian values to help people who I cross path with. I loved this Pope even when there were matters on which I disagreed with the teaching of the Church. I decided to read this book because I do believe if there is one saint in heaven, it certainly must be him.
2 photographic memories come to light whenever I think of him. The first one was from my childhood, when the Pope was passing through my hometown on his popemobile. I was 7 years old and during that brief moment my grandpa held me up towards the moving engine. Pope John Paul II touched my forehead and blessed me. It was one of those fleeing moments in my life that had a great impact on my whole existence. The second memory is when I was on the sofa with my mother glued to the TV set to watch the final vigil before he died. I cried like many millions out there, for a man that gave his life towards creating a better world.
While reading this book, I felt calm and serene. I imagined his words coming from the sky like droplets of rain into my mind. While Catholics will find wisdom and comments on which to reflect and meditate, I still recommend this book to people who do not have a religion, or believers of other faiths. It gifts the reader the possibility to stop and think how one of the greatest minds of the 21st Century thought.
2 photographic memories come to light whenever I think of him. The first one was from my childhood, when the Pope was passing through my hometown on his popemobile. I was 7 years old and during that brief moment my grandpa held me up towards the moving engine. Pope John Paul II touched my forehead and blessed me. It was one of those fleeing moments in my life that had a great impact on my whole existence. The second memory is when I was on the sofa with my mother glued to the TV set to watch the final vigil before he died. I cried like many millions out there, for a man that gave his life towards creating a better world.
While reading this book, I felt calm and serene. I imagined his words coming from the sky like droplets of rain into my mind. While Catholics will find wisdom and comments on which to reflect and meditate, I still recommend this book to people who do not have a religion, or believers of other faiths. It gifts the reader the possibility to stop and think how one of the greatest minds of the 21st Century thought.
June 14, 2016
It took me some time to finish reading this book, but I loved it. It is not only the religious feeling attached to it, it is mostly the glimpse one gets into the late Pope Soul and into his self discipline, devotion and late years decay.... All lived with tremendous dignity and acceptance. I loved reading and meditating it...
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon, 13 June 2016, Saint Anthony of Lisbon's Day...
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon, 13 June 2016, Saint Anthony of Lisbon's Day...
February 6, 2023
Pope Karol Wojtyla, in his will, asked that his spiritual diaries be burned upon his death, but his secretary did not; instead, he presented them to the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints.
Later, the notebooks were published in Polish, and then translated into several languages. I read the English edition.
The spiritual diaries range from 1962 to 2003, before and after Karol Wojtyla became a Pope.
Reading this book, I have been surprised that he attended the gatherings not as the supreme head of the Catholic Church, but as a simple participant. The retreats were led by others, usually a bishop or an archbishop, not by him! This shows how humble he was.
In his diaries, the word ‘meditation’ is recurrent. Obviously, during the spiritual retreats he meditated. I thought that the term ‘meditation’ only belonged to the Eastern religion. As a child, I learned that prayer was enough to get to heaven. Apparently, also Catholics meditate. I think Pope John Paul II meditated on the Bible, but who knows what was hidden in his great, noble, and humble heart!
Ettore Grillo
Later, the notebooks were published in Polish, and then translated into several languages. I read the English edition.
The spiritual diaries range from 1962 to 2003, before and after Karol Wojtyla became a Pope.
Reading this book, I have been surprised that he attended the gatherings not as the supreme head of the Catholic Church, but as a simple participant. The retreats were led by others, usually a bishop or an archbishop, not by him! This shows how humble he was.
In his diaries, the word ‘meditation’ is recurrent. Obviously, during the spiritual retreats he meditated. I thought that the term ‘meditation’ only belonged to the Eastern religion. As a child, I learned that prayer was enough to get to heaven. Apparently, also Catholics meditate. I think Pope John Paul II meditated on the Bible, but who knows what was hidden in his great, noble, and humble heart!
Ettore Grillo
December 25, 2017
The beauty of this book is looking at notes from a priest seeking God and these aren't "neat and clean." The thought of the Pope taking a retreat and learning from others really intrigues me as well. These are spiritual notes taken as he listens in prayer or hears from a spiritual director. His journals look a lot like what I do when I take notes. There are bullet points and quick reminders.
There are so many nuggets of truth and insight all the way through. It is not something to speed read, but to savor. A little bit in a journey each day is quite rewarding.
There are so many nuggets of truth and insight all the way through. It is not something to speed read, but to savor. A little bit in a journey each day is quite rewarding.
October 22, 2023
This is an intimate insight into one of the longest-serving pontiffs. St. John Paul was one of the greatest minds in the Catholic Church. He recorded his personal notes and reflections which help us strengthen our relationship with God. It gets us thinking and asking ourselves whether or not we are spreading God's word and getting closer to Him in our daily lives.
September 12, 2021
4.5 Stars.
So good, this saints brain and theology were enlightening. And help me understand Mary and come to terms and comfort with her role in the world.
So good, this saints brain and theology were enlightening. And help me understand Mary and come to terms and comfort with her role in the world.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews