The 21st Pope’s Day was celebrated under the slogan “Be not afraid!” in Poland and in the Polish communities around the world on October 10, 2021. In all the churches, can collections were held, and a public collection was organized to support the scholarship program of the Foundation “Work of the New Millennium,” intended for the education of gifted young people from small towns and villages. The Pope’s Day is an important time also for the defenders of life.
Each Pope’s Day is determined by the Polish Bishops’ Conference.
The Pope’s Day is inseparably connected with the activity of the Foundation “Work of the New Millennium,” which was created in 1999 after the Pope’s pilgrimage to Poland. The Foundation runs a scholarship program that helps poor young people to continue their education. That is why the celebration of the Pope’s Day is accompanied by the annual church and public collection of funds for educational scholarships for young, talented people from small towns and villages. In addition to financial support, the organization offers its beneficiaries formation in the spirit of the teachings of St. John Paul II, its patron. During the 21 years of its activity, the Foundation has helped thousands of young people to complete their studies.
photo credit: Fundacja Dzieło Nowy Tysiąclecia, flickrOn the Pope’s Day, the grantees visit churches to give a personal testimony of faith and to express their gratitude to donors for their support. Many events prepared by scholarship holders and friends of the Foundation take place throughout Poland, including fairs, marathons, concerts, and family towns.
The Pope’s Day is also an opportunity to attribute Totus Tuus awards. They are given to people and institutions who, inspired by the teachings of St. John Paul II, contribute in a special way to building the civilization of love. These awards are given to four categories: Promotion of Human Dignity, Achievements in Christian Culture, Propagation of the Teaching of St. John Paul II, and Bishop Jan Chrapek’s Media TOTUS TUUS.
The statuettes in the shape of an angel taking flight were awarded during a ceremonial gala at the Royal Castle in Warsaw. The ceremony was broadcast by Channel 2 of Polish Public Television and attended, among others, by the Apostolic Nuncio in Poland Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, and the Metropolitan Archbishop of Warsaw, Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz.
A special Totus Tuus award was presented to Carl Albert Anderson. The Supreme Knight of the Order of the Knights of Columbus was honored “for promoting the person of St. John Paul II and credibly implementing the values he proclaimed in the international arena.”
On the Pope’s Day, during the Holy Mass celebrated in the Temple of Divine Providence, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Warsaw, Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz encouraged supporting a specific work that practices the spirit of John Paul II’s ministry, that is, the scholarship program of the Foundation “Work of the New Millennium.” He reminded that thanks to this program several thousand young people can study and several thousand have already graduated from schools and universities. Cardinal Nycz asked for participation in the collection for this purpose, conducted today by the volunteers of the Foundation, adding: “It is necessary that this living memorial last and be supported.”
Successive editions of the Pope’s Day are an opportunity to organize Marches for Life and the Family. In reference to pro-life issues, which occupied a very important place in the teaching of St. John Paul II—the patron of the family—, Poles express especially on this day their attachment to the protection of human life.
On Sunday, Channel 1 of Polish Public Television broadcast a concert “Do not be afraid to love.”
Katolicka Agencja Informacyjna / Family News Service
