Remembering Pope John Paul II

The College of the Holy Cross celebrated a Mass in memory of His Holiness Pope John Paul II on Monday, April 4, in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel.  Rev. William Campbell, S.J., one of the College Chaplains, presided.  Memorial pictures of the Pope have been enshrined in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel and in the lower chapel by the baptismal font.  Books of remembrance have been placed by these memorial pictures in the chapels for reflections, thoughts, and expressions of sympathy that members of the community may wish to write.





Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., President

The news of the death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II brings great sadness to our community.  Pope John Paul II was a great leader who had a profound impact on both the Catholic Church and world events.  His deep and genuine faith, his unwavering moral courage, his relentless advocacy for the poor, the neglected, and the defenseless, and his unprecedented outreach to people of other faiths were an inspiration to us all. As we mourn him, we are also deeply grateful to God for his life and leadership, and we celebrate his commitment to humanity, justice, peace, freedom, and love. Katherine M. McElaney, Director, Office of the College Chaplains

Although much of the world accompanied Pope John Paul II in prayer during the last days of his life, it is still very hard to believe that this extraordinary man has gone home to God. His presence has always seemed larger than life. He communicated God's love with surpassing joy and energy. His leadership was courageous and prophetic. In particular, I thank God for his dynamic efforts on behalf of reconciliation and justice, his solidarity with the poor, and the remarkable ways he reached out to youth during the whole of his pontificate.

Rev. James M. Hayes, S.J., Rector, Jesuit Community

I had the pleasure of seeing John Paul II in Toronto, in Uganda, and in Jamaica.  He had a great gift in touching people and reaching out to the young, the sick, and the poor.  I admired his zeal and his energy, and marveled at his linguistic skills and his extensive writings.  He gave us all a lesson in dying and his repeated message was "Do not be afraid."  I feel privileged to have witnessed his papacy during my adult years.