Memories of Pope John Paul II By Sr. Margherita Marchione

Sr. Margherita Marchione, the "fighting Nun", recalls her special moments with John Paul II

(PRWEB) April 4, 2005 -- By Sr. Margherita Marchione - John Paul II had a magnetic personality. The memory of meeting him on so many occasions during his pontificate and chatting with him about each new book I wrote remains precious to me. When I think of him, I recall his piercing eyes as they penetrated my soul. I still feel the emotion I experienced every time he patted my cheeks, smiled and seemed to enjoy whatever I was trying to explain. These last few years I reminded him about Pius XIIs beatification, stating that fifty years had passed since John XXIII stated his predecessor should be canonized. John Paul II, in agreement, would smile lovingly. I was aware that he was waiting for the Positio to be presented to the Sacred Congregation for Saints. Nor did I fail to mention Pius XII in all my correspondence.

I was privileged to visit John Paul II whenever I was in Rome: one or two times each year. For over ten years I accompanied groups of college students for a six-week summer course in Italian and the highlight of each trip was a papal audience. This was followed by ten years of pilgrimages to the shrines in Italy, which included a papal audience for each group while, at the same time, I was able to do some research for my new books.

Each time I was privileged to attend Mass in his private chapel and to greet him afterwards, his secretary never failed to introduce me as a member of the Religious Teachers Filippini and a defender of Pius XII. The many photographs I have confirm these privileged encounters and are among my most treasured possessions, especially the one when I am wearing the medal, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, which I received from Pope John Paul II.

As I presented a copy of my last book to His Holiness, I was overcome with emotion. I realized his health was failing, Archbishop Stanislaus, his private secretary, later asked me why I was speechless during the audience. This was so unusual. Perhaps it was a premonition that this was the last time I would kneel before him and receive his blessing as he patted my checks and I kissed his hands.

An historian of the highest caliber, Sister Marchione is a member of the Religious Teachers Filippini and holds a Ph.D from Columbia University, was a Fulbright scholar, and author of more than 50 books.

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