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Cardinal Dziwisz tours the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center - June 24, 2008
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| In June, the Center was graced by a visit from Stanislaw Cardinal Dziwisz, Archbishop of Kraków, Poland. Over a two-day period, Cardinal Dziwisz, who faithfully served for over 40 years as secretary to Pope John Paul II, toured the Center with a group of distinguished guests, held an impromptu signing of his book, A Life With Karol during a welcoming reception co-sponsored by Ray and Ceil Glembocki, dined with Cultural Center Trustees at the Vatican Embassy, interviewed with EWTN’s The World Over host, Raymond Arroyo, and reaffirmed the Marian spirituality of John Paul II during a noon mass on June 25th concelebrated with Cardinals Maida and McCarrick, and a host of other religious. |
| Upon his arrival on June 24th, Cardinal Dziwisz and other eminent guests including Cardinal William Henry Keeler [Archbishop Emeritus of Baltimore] were led on a tour of the Center by our founder, Adam Cardinal Maida and Executive Director Fr. Steven C. Boguslawski, O.P. Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl (Archdiocese of Washington DC), Vice President of the Center’s Board of Directors, joined the group greeting Cardinal Dziwisz as he traveled the Gallery of Mary. Cardinal Dziwisz was accompanied by his secretary, Fr. Dariusz Ras and [Dominican House of Studies] Fr. Gregory Mazur, O.P. was on hand to provide translations. |
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Our Chapel was an early tour stop for Cardinal Dziwisz who paused for a moment of prayer and reflection at the very same kneeler used by Pope Benedict XVI during his April 17th visit. Cultural Center trustees Jane and Ed Bleka were present during the Chapel visit where, Cardinal Dziwisz also blessed the Our Lady of Czestochowa icon donated to the Center by the Blekas just days before the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. The Papal and Polish Heritage Room was an emotional stop and the location from which the Cardinal would subsequently select a mitre once worn by John Paul II for use in the following day’s mass. The Cardinal also walked our “Hands of Peace” ramp where the first replica is a mold of the hand of the late John Paul II. Wanting to see everything, Cardinal Dziwisz toured the exterior, stopping to reflect near the statue of Pope John Paul II given to the Center by the Polish Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Cardinal’s outdoor travels yielded a surprising outcome for a young father of two toddlers who were blessed by three archbishops, two of whom are Cardinals. The memory of this chance encounter leaves much for this father to share with his children who themselves may one day return to this most auspicious site.
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Friends of the Cultural Center welcomed this visit from Cardinal Dziwisz with a public reception featuring elaborate treats and ambience reminiscent of the very best of Polonia hospitality. Free and open to the public, the Cardinal’s welcoming reception drew a crowd from all over the country---representing other religious, including the recently appointed, Archbishop Timothy Paul Broglio,US Military Services, Marian Helpers, Cultural Center Trustees, officers and executive staff of area Polish organizations and many others. The event introduced by Cultural Center Deputy Director, Dr. Hugh Dempsey, included visionary remarks from Cardinal Maida and Archbishop Wuerl before the honoree extended his official greetings to guests. He encouraged all present to continue to support the Center and its work. Following a speech acknowledging extensively what the Center has achieved in its short history, his words of encouragement, and some personal interactions with guests, Cardinal Dziwisz tested the flexibility of his staff and translators with an impromptu book signing---calling for a table which prompted an immediate queue of guests with their eagerly purchased copies of A Life With Karol. The book signing ended so that Cardinal Dziwisz could join other guests awaiting his arrival for dinner at the Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican Embassy) where he resided during his Washington visit. |
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Dinner at the Nunciature - June 24, 2008 |
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| At the Nunciature, Cardinal Dziwisz was welcomed by his host, Monsignor Martin Krebs, Chargé d’Affaires (while Archbishop Sambi was away), and other Embassy staff for a Trustee-sponsored dinner and video. Produced as a labor of love by Trustee Lannette Turicchi, the video, dedicated to Cardinal Maida in memory of his late mom, Sophie Cieslak Maida, is a documentary on the life of the Center’s namesake, Pope John Paul II. Organized and executed largely under the direction of Mrs. Turrichi, the evening ran on the adrenaline of purity of heart, purpose, and spirit exhibited by the many present for this event. Raymond Arroyo emceed the program and once again, Cardinal Dziwisz applauded the efforts and work of the Cultural Center and those who continue to support it. |
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EWTN Interviews Cardinal Dziwisz - June 25, 2008 |
On June 25th Cardinal Dziwisz returned to the Cultural Center to tape an interview with Raymond Arroyo on The World Over that is scheduled to air at 8 p.m. on Friday, August 8th. Before an audience of John Paul II Friends, Center staff and trustees, Mr. Arroyo focused his queries on five general areas of interest: the most lasting spiritual lesson taken from the Cardinal’s long-term friendship with John Paul II; the decision to preserve the personal papers that John Paul wanted destroyed; the Cardinal’s last day with the Pontiff; reflections on his personal insights of the Pope; and how his relationship with John Paul II prepared him for his present ministry. The Cardinal, speaking with the assistance of Fr. Gregory’s translation, offered candid responses fused with some humor.
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Cardinal Dziwisz Celebrates Mass at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center - June 25, 2008
Immediately after the interview, he robed and processed into the assembly gathered for 12 o’clock mass wearing the mitre of “the man who had been a father and a teacher.” His detailed remarks and homily (partially read by Cardinal Maida) reflected not only on the relevancy of the Gospel message to the world we live in but how important the life of John Paul II has been in that big picture. The following excerpt from his homily captures his view on how pivotal John Paul II has been and how important and wonderful it is that his life remains a source of inspiration to us all.
“. . .We wish to preserve the heritage of God’s Servant. We wish to pass on to the next generations a living and lasting “story” about his life and service, about his faith, hopes and love, of his sanctity. We are waiting for his canonization. We wait for the official seal to the people’s belief that John Paul II is standing face to face with God and advocates for us.
John Paul II, anticipating the Church’s judgment, we - gathered in the chapel of the Cultural Center in Washington, named after you- ask you: pray for us all, be our advocate. Amen!”
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Luncheon with Cardinal Dziwisz - June 25, 2008 |
| The final stop of Cardinal Dziwisz’ visit to the Cultural Center began with a special luncheon sponsored by the Friends of John Paul II Foundation and held in the panoramic splendor of the Center’s Third Floor Conference Room. Luncheon attendees enjoyed an intimate meal where more books were signed, encouraging words spoken, and all around fellowship reigned as the mantra of the day. Cardinal Dziwisz encouraged all who loved John Paul II to continue to support the Center. The prevailing generosity of spirit during lunch was captured in Jim and Cecelia Mudd’s new $100,000 pledge to the Cultural Center in honor of Cardinal Dziwisz and in their challenge to others to join in with additional financial support. |
| At the end of his Washington visit, the Cardinal’s final words at the airport were “I am much pleased.” |
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