Sick woman's recovery led to John Paul II's sainthood

ROME - The journey to sainthood of popes John XXIII and John Paul II will culminate on Sunday at the Vatican.

For many of their followers, like Floribeth Mora Diaz, who claims she was healed from cerebral fusiform aneurysm through the intercession of John Paul II, the double canonization of the two popes is a jubilant celebration for them.

In a translation, Diaz said the canonization on Sunday will be the most important part of the story in her life. She said it all started last year when her healing was recognized as a miracle of John Paul II.

She prayed to John Paul II to be healed and on the day of his beatification in 2011, and she believes the miracle happened.

"I saw a magazine with the picture of John Paul II with his arms open wide, and I heard his voice saying to me: 'Get up and do not be afraid'," she said.

Diaz, who was only given days to live by her doctor, got well.

"After I had an x-ray, the doctors were dumbfounded to see something happened to me. They cannot explain what happened. I was sitting with the doctor and he was re-reading the result over and over again, analyzing it. My husband asked, "What's wrong?" And he did not respond. And then I said, 'I know what's wrong: I have been healed by the intercession of Pope John Paul II," she shared.

It is also believed that the intercession of Pope John XXIII healed miraculously Sister Caterina Capitani from a very serious hemorrhaging ulcerative gastritis.

The friend of the deceased Sister Caterina said the canonization of Pope John XXIII on Sunday will make Caterina very happy.

"Sister Catarina was filled with joy during the beatification of John XXIII. And, if she was still alive today, she would be rejoicing in the same way for the canonization," said Sister Adele Labianca.

While John Paul II met the required two miracles for the canonization, without the customary certification of another miracle, Pope Francis is making Pope John XXIII saint.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Sainthood souvenirs of 2 popes running out in Italy

ROME - The atmosphere is festive as tourists are pampered with a unique brand of Italian hospitality. It's all part of a week-long grand celebration that will culminate in Sunday's canonization of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII.

The souvenir items come in different shapes and sizes. Some are distinct in style but most are the usual mundane religious articles.

There are well-crafted sculptures and tapestries featuring the popes, but there are also regular souvenirs like rosaries, paintings, mugs and pins.

There are also limited edition commemorative medals bearing the faces of the two popes that are made of gold, silver and copper. Some are sold for 50 euros each or more than P3,000.

When it comes to souvenir items, Filipinos will never be left out.

Take the case of Andre Sambilay, a first-timer in Rome.

"We are buying rosaries na may images ni Pope John Paul II kasi nga di ba its his canonization so yun ang magandang pasalubong talaga," she said.

It is estimated that around five million devotees will trek to the Vatican come Sunday.

Hotels are heavily-booked and restaurants full.

With Easter Sunday and the canonization only a week apart, souvenir store operators are facing brisk sales.

They expect sales to triple as the weekend nears, but they are ready to deal with it.

The canonization is so meaningful for long-time friends Nini Valdez and Jean Salvador. They were both in high school in 1962 when they followed the path of Pope John XXIII.

When Pope John Paul II visited Manila twice, they went to see him personally.

In fact, Valdez visited the hometown of Pope John Paul II in Krakow, Poland.

Like Valdez and Salvador, close friends Mads Garcia and Patty Olbes share the same spiritual upliftment.

Garcia came from Canada and Olbes from Madrid and met only in Rome two days ago to attend Sunday's momentous congregation.

They were just a few yards away when the Pope mobile of Pope Francis passed by during yesterday's regular papal audience.

"Its a big blessing to be here at this time of the year in this special occasion and we get to be up close and personal," said Olbes.

For Filipino devotees, they urge countrymen especially Filipino leaders to draw inspiration from the two popes who in the next few days will be declared saints.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com