Poland: Spiritual Funeral for John Paul II

By Simon Mol

Poland has declared two weeks of mourning to mark the passing away of its holy son Pope John Paul II. Though he is lying in state at the Vatican, in Poland it is obvious that his spiritual funeral is being held across the nation.

Some 200,000 people from around Poland and the world gather at Pilsudski Square in the center of Warsaw for the ecumenical service in memory of Pope John Paul II, which was celebrated by Primate of Poland Jozef Glemp, with the assistance of 250 priests.(AFP/Janek Skarzynski)

For those who believe in such phenomena, proof of this was evident in the air, in the early hours of Sunday morning just after his passing was announced. It was as if the night and early-morning hours vibrated with roaming, Higher Beings who were busy seeing off the Greatest Pope of the last Century.

The government has declared particularly Friday an off-day from work and schools. However people virtually drag themselves to their daily duties, and spend the best part of working hours discussing about the Pope, his death and the future.  Hypermarkets and shopping malls close their doors these days after 4p.m. This will run throughout the week. The funeral is that serious. 

Since his death was announced last Saturday evening, radical plans have been introduced that have altered the routine of the capital city, Warsaw. Traffics have been re-diverted to make way for thousands of pedestrians who flock religious sites, squares and Churches.

200.000 mourners gathered at the Pi³sudckiego Square today to attend an open mass celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Jozef Glemp. On the same spot, at the same square where Cardinal Glemp stood, in 1999 the Pope beautified 108 WW II martyrs who died to save Poland during his pilgrimage home.

“You looked for us, we came to you. For this we thank you, ‘Totus tuus’. In our memory for ever, Our Father.” Cardinal Glemp’s voice cut across the still crowd Tuesday evening, being the only audible voice to be heard in a city of 2 million inhabitants that had gone silent in respect for the Pope.

Supporters of Legia and Polonia Warsaw, two premier clubs that are lethal enemies—stood side by side in the crowd, waving their flags peacefully. They too honored the call to mourn the Pope. Under normal circumstances they would go for each other’s throat, even the streets, when no match is being played. The Pope’s death inspired a truce among the rivals, even if only temporary.