ARCHDIOCESE AND KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS TO PRESENT SPECIAL VIGIL IN HONOR OF THE CANONIZATION OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
April 17, 2014  |  By:   |  Press Releases  |  

Vigil to celebrate Pope John Paul II’s life, pontificate and 1987 visit to Los Angeles with prayer, musical tributes and testimonials

The Archdiocese’s Office of New Evangelization with the Knights of Columbus will hold a special vigil to honor the life and pontificate of Pope John Paul II from 7- 11 p.m. on the eve of his canonization in Rome, April 26, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple St. downtown Los Angeles.

“Pope John Paul II was a gift from God for our times,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez. “He was a man of the Eucharist and a true spiritual father for our world. Our Archdiocese came together in celebration during his visit in 1987, and we will gather once again to rejoice his canonization. He was truly a saint among us, and he continues to bring us closer to Christ through his example.”

The vigil will begin with a rosary and testimonials from faithful whose lives have been changed by Pope John Paul II and musical tributes by noted Catholic artists such as Danielle Rose, Miriam Solis, and Tony Melendez who played for the Pope during his visit to Los Angeles in 1987. They will be accompanied by a choir of young adult musicians from throughout the Archdiocese lead by Music Director John Flaherty. The rosary will be followed by an hour of adoration with music by Love Resonate. In addition, there will be a premiere screening on the Cathedral Plaza of a new documentary film by Lannette Turicchi on the life of Pope John Paul II, A Prophet of Our Time.

An honor guard from the Knights of Columbus will lead the opening procession of Angelinos that have met the Pope and young adults who have attended World Youth Day which was instituted by Pope John Paul II.

“It is truly an honor for the Knights of Columbus to be able to sponsor the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ canonization celebration for Pope John Paul II. Los Angeles, like so many cities around the world, was blessed to have been visited by this great man, and certainly many fondly remember his time in Los Angeles,” said Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. “The legacy of his personal life of holiness, his incredible public ministry, and his profound teaching about the faith, continue to resonate not only with the John Paul II generation – of bishops, priests, religious and laity – but also with so many others who were moved by his witness and teaching – especially in the area of human love.”

The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization dedicated to helping those in need. Founded in 1882 to help the widows and orphans of the largely-immigrant Catholic community in New Haven, Conn., the Knights of Columbus today continues the mission throughout the world, serving families and communities through a vast array of charitable and spiritual activities. Last year Knights provided more than $167 million and 70 million hours to charitable causes.

For more information and to join the event on Facebook, the public may visit www.archla.org/jpevent.
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