Deeper Truth

The Catholic Defender: St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Novena - Day 1 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. Prayer by Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne I am where God wills me to be, and so I have found rest and security. His wisdom governs me, His power defends me, His grace sanctifies me, His mercy encompasses me, His joy sustains me and all will go well with me. Rose Philippine Duchesne. Prayer: Gracious God, you filled the heart of Philippine Duchesne with charity and missionary zeal, and gave her the desire to make you known among all peoples. Fill us who honor her memory today, with that same love and zeal to extend your kingdom to the ends of the earth. Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Rose Philippine Duchesne as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You she showed from the time she was a child. St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, your family members did not want you to devote your life to God in a religious vocation. But despite their opposition, you chose to dedicate your life to serving God. Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen. Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

HEALING NOVENA FOR THE INTERCESSION OF ST. JOHN PAUL II Day 9.  Dear Saint John Paul, just like St. Paul the Apostle who described his journey as a race, you tell me that life with Jesus is a wonderful adventure. Life is not a sprint for me, but rather a winding marathon with its curves and its ups and downs. Help me by being with me at all times as I struggle in this race toward the fullness of life in Christ. God the Holy Spirit, grant us wisdom and knowledge as we wait patiently for the healing You promised. May our families be blessed with patience in helping us cope with illness and other problems. During his lifetime, Saint John Paul was a living testimony of how much God loves us through his patience in dealing with every religious or political leader around the world, as well as with the severe sicknesses that afflicted him. We believe that as long as love reigns in our hearts each day, we will be healed, for “Love is patient and kind.” Amen. Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen. Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

HEALING NOVENA FOR THE INTERCESSION OF ST. JOHN PAUL II Day 9.  Dear Saint John Paul, just like St. Paul the Apostle who described his journey as a race, you tell me that life with Jesus is a wonderful adventure. Life is not a sprint for me, but rather a winding marathon with its curves and its ups and downs. Help me by being with me at all times as I struggle in this race toward the fullness of life in Christ. God the Holy Spirit, grant us wisdom and knowledge as we wait patiently for the healing You promised. May our families be blessed with patience in helping us cope with illness and other problems. During his lifetime, Saint John Paul was a living testimony of how much God loves us through his patience in dealing with every religious or political leader around the world, as well as with the severe sicknesses that afflicted him. We believe that as long as love reigns in our hearts each day, we will be healed, for “Love is patient and kind.” Amen. Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen. Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Join John Carpenter,, Don Hartley, and the Deeper Truth reseach team as they investigate another appearance by Our Blessed Mother,  In 1992 Bishop Bisaye blessed an open air part of a bigger chapel and allowed for the Marian Shrine to be designated a place of prayer so that organized pilgrimages was now activrly permitted. “Our Lady of Ngome” (South Africa, 1955-1971; or Our Lady of the Tabernacle of the Most High); Virgin Mary appeared to a the Servant of God Sister May, a nun, and identified herself as “The Tabernacle of the Most High”; she also had an apparition of the devil, but then "Mother Mary, the Tabernacle of the Most High" “Our Lady of Ngome” (South Africa, 1955-1971; or Our Lady of the Tabernacle of the Most High); Virgin Mary appeared to a the Servant of God Sister May, a nun, and identified herself as “The Tabernacle of the Most High”; she also had an apparition of the devil, but then "Mother Mary, the Tabernacle of the Most High" Ngome began as a shrine after alleged Marian apparitions. These apparitions were to the servant of God, Sr. Reinolda Franziska May OSB (Order of Saint Benedict). The alleged apparitions gave rise to the place becoming the most-visited holy place in the Diocese of Eshowe- Zululand, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The late bishop Mansuet Biyase of Eshowe gave recognition to Ngome as a place of prayer thus allowing the people to receive special graces. above all because of the relevance and impact of Ngome on the lives of people. The ongoing stability and the disposition of pilgrims to this place provide an ever-increasing hope that Ngome shall rightfully be declared a shrine in the future, (c.1230). Observing c.1208, the bishop as pastor of souls availed the place to pilgrims beyond the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Eshowe.

HEALING NOVENA FOR THE INTERCESSION OF ST. JOHN PAUL II Day 8.   Dear Saint John Paul, just like St. Paul the Apostle who described his journey as a race, you tell me that life with Jesus is a wonderful adventure. Life is not a sprint for me, but rather a winding marathon with its curves and its ups and downs. Help me by being with me at all times as I struggle in this race toward the fullness of life in Christ. God the Holy Spirit, grant us wisdom and knowledge as we wait patiently for the healing You promised. May our families be blessed with patience in helping us cope with illness and other problems. During his lifetime, Saint John Paul was a living testimony of how much God loves us through his patience in dealing with every religious or political leader around the world, as well as with the severe sicknesses that afflicted him. We believe that as long as love reigns in our hearts each day, we will be healed, for “Love is patient and kind.” Amen. Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen. Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

HEALING NOVENA FOR THE INTERCESSION OF ST. JOHN PAUL II Day 7.   Dear Saint John Paul, just like St. Paul the Apostle who described his journey as a race, you tell me that life with Jesus is a wonderful adventure. Life is not a sprint for me, but rather a winding marathon with its curves and its ups and downs. Help me by being with me at all times as I struggle in this race toward the fullness of life in Christ. God the Holy Spirit, grant us wisdom and knowledge as we wait patiently for the healing You promised. May our families be blessed with patience in helping us cope with illness and other problems. During his lifetime, Saint John Paul was a living testimony of how much God loves us through his patience in dealing with every religious or political leader around the world, as well as with the severe sicknesses that afflicted him. We believe that as long as love reigns in our hearts each day, we will be healed, for “Love is patient and kind.” Amen. Act of Contrition   O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.   Spiritual Communion   My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

HEALING NOVENA FOR THE INTERCESSION OF ST. JOHN PAUL II Day 6 Dear Saint John Paul, just like St. Paul the Apostle who described his journey as a race, you tell me that life with Jesus is a wonderful adventure. Life is not a sprint for me, but rather a winding marathon with its curves and its ups and downs. Help me by being with me at all times as I struggle in this race toward the fullness of life in Christ. God the Holy Spirit, grant us wisdom and knowledge as we wait patiently for the healing You promised. May our families be blessed with patience in helping us cope with illness and other problems. During his lifetime, Saint John Paul was a living testimony of how much God loves us through his patience in dealing with every religious or political leader around the world, as well as with the severe sicknesses that afflicted him. We believe that as long as love reigns in our hearts each day, we will be healed, for “Love is patient and kind.” Amen. Merciful God, I pray with thanks and gratitude for the great spiritual gift of Saint John Paul II’s apostolic life and mission. Through his heavenly intercession, please grant the following petition(s) . . . pray for the grace to overcome fear and fully trust in God's healing power, asking St. John Paul II to intercede for you with unwavering faith, just as he exemplified throughout his life; remember his words, "Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you and therefore no harm can befall you."

HEALING NOVENA FOR THE INTERCESSION OF ST. JOHN PAUL II Day 5.  Dear Saint John Paul, just like St. Paul the Apostle who described his journey as a race, you tell me that life with Jesus is a wonderful adventure. Life is not a sprint for me, but rather a winding marathon with its curves and its ups and downs. Help me by being with me at all times as I struggle in this race toward the fullness of life in Christ. God the Holy Spirit, grant us wisdom and knowledge as we wait patiently for the healing You promised. May our families be blessed with patience in helping us cope with illness and other problems. During his lifetime, Saint John Paul was a living testimony of how much God loves us through his patience in dealing with every religious or political leader around the world, as well as with the severe sicknesses that afflicted him. We believe that as long as love reigns in our hearts each day, we will be healed, for “Love is patient and kind.” Amen. Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen. Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.

HEALING NOVENA FOR THE INTERCESSION OF ST. JOHN PAUL II Day 4 Dear Saint John Paul, just like St. Paul the Apostle who described his journey as a race, you tell me that life with Jesus is a wonderful adventure. Life is not a sprint for me, but rather a winding marathon with its curves and its ups and downs. Help me by being with me at all times as I struggle in this race toward the fullness of life in Christ. Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen. Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

HEALING NOVENA FOR THE INTERCESSION OF ST. JOHN PAUL II Day 3.   Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen. Spiritual Communion My Jesus,  I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.  I love You above all things,  and I desire to receive You into my soul.  Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,  come at least spiritually into my heart.  I embrace You as if You were already there  and unite myself wholly to You.  Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. Merciful God, I pray with thanks and gratitude for the great spiritual gift of Saint John Paul II’s apostolic life and mission. Through his heavenly intercession, please grant the following petition(s) . . . pray for the grace to overcome fear and fully trust in God's healing power, asking St. John Paul II to intercede for you with unwavering faith, just as he exemplified throughout his life; remember his words, "Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you and therefore no harm can befall you.".  Dear Saint John Paul, you preached: “I plead with you, never, ever give up on hope. Never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.” With your help, I will not give up hope. I will be trusting, confident, persistent and unafraid in prayer.

HEALING NOVENA FOR THE INTERCESSION OF ST. JOHN PAUL II Day 2  Merciful God, I pray with thanks and gratitude for the great spiritual gift of Saint John Paul II’s apostolic life and mission. Through his heavenly intercession, please grant the following petition(s) . . . Here state your request(s). Dear Saint John Paul, you preached: “I plead with you, never, ever give up on hope. Never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.” With your help, I will not give up hope. I will be trusting, confident, persistent and unafraid in prayer. God, our Father, grant us the peace we seek when confronted with different obstacles each day. Guide us so we won’t falter in our steps. May peace always reign in our hearts even if there is fear that we might fall flat on our face. We will not be anxious, but will have faith that is unwavering like that of Saint John Paul II. We will do whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and gracious in Your eyes, so that Your peace may abide in our hearts always. Amen. Conclude with the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be prayers.

HEALING NOVENA FOR THE INTERCESSION OF ST. JOHN PAUL II Day 1.   Opening Prayer each day:Merciful God, I pray with thanks and gratitude for the great spiritual gift of Saint John Paul II’s apostolic life and mission. Through his heavenly intercession, please grant the following petition(s) . . . Here state your request(s). Bring Me Near You. My Lord and my God, take everything from me that keeps me from you. My Lord and my God, give everything to me that brings me near to you. My Lord and my God, take me away from myself and give me completely to you. Father, in the Name of Jesus, I confess Your Word concerning health and healing. As I do, I believe that Your Word will not return to You void, but it will accomplish what it says. In the Name of Jesus, I believe that I am healed according to 1 Peter 2:24. God is not only all-powerful; he is also personal, and he will heal all our diseases. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases” Loving God, I lift up (name) to You, asking for Your miraculous healing touch. Lord, You know their affliction and the pain they bear. But I trust that You are the Great Physician, and nothing is too difficult for You. Stretch forth Your mighty hand and drive out every sickness, disease, and infirmity from their body. Grant also that I may grow in love for You and proclaim boldly the love of Jesus Christ to all people. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen. Conclude with the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be prayers.

Novena to St. John Paul II Day 9.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Reflection by Saint John Paul II: Thus the great gift of redemption – our being ‘brought forth’ to divine life – is a mighty work of God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It must be received by us in faith. It must be lived. It must be proclaimed.” Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II O Blessed Trinity, we thank youfor having graced the Church withSaint John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your fatherly care,the glory of the Cross of Christand the splendor of the Spirit of loveto shine through him.Trusting fully in your infinite mercyand in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image ofJesus the Good Shepherd.He has shown us that holinessis the necessary measure of ordinaryChristian life and is the way ofachieving eternal communion with you.Grant us, by his intercession,and according to your will,the graces we implore,through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Novena to St. John Paul II Day 8.   In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.     Reflection by Saint John Paul II: Thus the great gift of redemption – our being ‘brought forth’ to divine life – is a mighty work of God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It must be received by us in faith. It must be lived. It must be proclaimed.” Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II O Blessed Trinity, we thank youfor having graced the Church withSaint John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your fatherly care,the glory of the Cross of Christand the splendor of the Spirit of loveto shine through him.Trusting fully in your infinite mercyand in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image ofJesus the Good Shepherd.He has shown us that holinessis the necessary measure of ordinaryChristian life and is the way ofachieving eternal communion with you.Grant us, by his intercession,and according to your will,the graces we implore,through Christ our Lord. Amen. A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II Thanksgiving for the Eucharist For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast! O Christ the Savior, we give You thanks for Your redeeming sacrifice, the only hope of men! O Christ the Savior, we give You thanks for the eucharistic breaking of bread, which You instituted in order to really meet Your brothers, in the course of the centuries! Christ the Savior, put into the hearts of the baptized the desire to offer themselves with You and to commit themselves for the salvation of their brothers! You who are really present in the Blessed Sacrament, spread Your blessings abundantly on Your people…Amen.

Novena to St. John Paul II Day 7.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Most holy servant of God, Pope St. John Paul II, we pray today for the youth and for World Youth Day.  We ask you to grant us your blessing from heaven! God gave you the grace of His fatherly tenderness and the spirit of His love from which we can all learn. We humbly implore you to intercede for us: John Paul II known for? John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. He travelled abroad extensively in an effort to promote greater understanding between countries and religions, and he campaigned against political oppression, violence, and materialism. He survived an assassination attempt in 1981. In his 27 years of papal ministry, John Paul II wrote 14 encyclicals and five books, canonized 482 saints and beatified 1,338 people. I was fortunate to recieve Pope St. John Paul II's Apostolic Blessing visited Chicago Oct.4-6 in 1979 In the last years of his life, he suffered from Parkinson’s disease and was forced to cut back on some of his activities. Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee; and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen. An Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Novena to St. John Paul II Day 6.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Most holy servant of God, Pope St. John Paul II, we pray today for the youth and for World Youth Day. We ask you to grant us your blessing from heaven! God gave you the grace of His fatherly tenderness and the spirit of His love from which we can all learn. We humbly implore you to intercede for us: John Paul II known for? John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. He travelled abroad extensively in an effort to promote greater understanding between countries and religions, and he campaigned against political oppression, violence, and materialism. He survived an assassination attempt in 1981. In his 27 years of papal ministry, John Paul II wrote 14 encyclicals and five books, canonized 482 saints and beatified 1,338 people. I was fortunate to recieve Pope St. John Paul II's Apostolic Blessing visited Chicago Oct.4-6 in 1979 In the last years of his life, he suffered from Parkinson’s disease and was forced to cut back on some of his activities. Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee; and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen. An Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

GOP Voters, make this race to big to fail. Go Trump.  A federal judge ordered Virginia to restore more than 1,600 voters to its voter rolls after the state removed them for allegedly being non-citizens The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled voters whose mail-in ballots were rejected because of defects—like issues with their signature or the date—can cast provisional ballots to make sure they can vote, after the RNC defended a county’s decision to stop those voters from casting ballots if their mail votes were rejected. The Georgia Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s ruling blocking new voting rules from taking effect—like a requirement to hand-count ballots and other provisions that Democrats warned could delay the election results from being certified—which means that while litigation will continue, the rules will not be in effect during the general election.

Join John Carpenter, Don Hartley, and the Deeper Truth research team as they review another encounter with the Virgin Mary.   Apparitions of Our Lady in Ukraine 1914 and 1987 People gathered from the whole area to see the apparition which lasted into the next day.  Then, on April 26, 1987, seventy-three years later and exactly one year after the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster, a bright light covered the church of the Holy Trinity and the surrounding area. From within this the Virgin Mary appeared and floating above the cupola of the church. Marina Kizyn, a twelve year old girl was the first to see this apparition. She immediately called her mother and some neighbours; all came and witnessed the apparition. Soon, hundreds and then thousands came from all over Russia to see the apparition which continued daily until August 15, 1987. “I have come on purpose to thank the Ukrainian people because you have suffered most for the church of Christ in the last 70 years. I have come to comfort you and to tell you that your suffering will soon come to an end.Ukraine will become an independent state.” “Teach the children to pray. Teach them to live in truth and live yourselves in truth. Say the Rosary. It is the weapon against Satan. He fears the Rosary. Recite the Rosary at any gathering of people.” “I have come to comfort you and to tell you that your suffering will end soon. I shall protect you for the glory and the future of God’s kingdom on earth, which will last for a thousand years. The Kingdom of Heaven and Earth is close at hand. It will come only through penance and the repentance of sins.”

Novena to St. John Paul II Day 5   In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Most holy servant of God, Pope St. John Paul II, we pray today for the youth and for World Youth Day. We ask you to grant us your blessing from heaven! God gave you the grace of His fatherly tenderness and the spirit of His love from which we can all learn. We humbly implore you to intercede for us: John Paul II known for? John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. He travelled abroad extensively in an effort to promote greater understanding between countries and religions, and he campaigned against political oppression, violence, and materialism. He survived an assassination attempt in 1981. In his 27 years of papal ministry, John Paul II wrote 14 encyclicals and five books, canonized 482 saints and beatified 1,338 people. I was fortunate to recieve Pope St. John Paul II's Apostolic Blessing visited Chicago Oct.4-6 in 1979 In the last years of his life, he suffered from Parkinson’s disease and was forced to cut back on some of his activities. Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee; and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen. An Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen.

Novena to St. John Paul II Day 4.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. John Paul II known for? John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. He travelled abroad extensively in an effort to promote greater understanding between countries and religions, and he campaigned against political oppression, violence, and materialism. He survived an assassination attempt in 1981. In his 27 years of papal ministry, John Paul II wrote 14 encyclicals and five books, canonized 482 saints and beatified 1,338 people. I was fortunate to recieve Pope St. John Paul II's Apostolic Blessing visited Chicago Oct.4-6 in 1979 In the last years of his life, he suffered from Parkinson’s disease and was forced to cut back on some of his activities. Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee; and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen. An Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen.