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Jana, American exchange student, witnessed people in Poland grieving after the death of John Paul II. She shared her thoughts with Forum Polonia. |
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One of the fundamental sayings in the Christian faith is, "The Lord moves in mysterious ways." During my stay in Poland, I discovered that history, too, moves in mysterious ways. My entire life has incorporated history and Christianity, but nothing ever touched my heart like the love and devotion that the people of Poland displayed upon the death of Pope John Paul II. Before I arrived in Poland for my year of foreign exchange, my mother had warned me that I might witness his death during my stay. At the time, I brushed the thought away and never paid attention to it. 2004 drew to an end. Reports continued to broadcast about the Pope's weakened condition and failing health. Rumors flew about; would the Pope survive one more year? No one knew the answer. The odds were set against him. People here knew what was coming; they just were not certain about the outcome of their own reactions. On April 1st, the news was full of updates on the Pope and thoughts about how he was doing after the huge Easter mass at the Vatican. Judging from the live broadcast of Easter in Vatican City, you could see how far his illnesses had consumed him. He was going to die, but how would his homeland react? The morning of April 2nd I woke up to a huge breakfast and news reports on the Pope. My host mother, Ilona Chmielewska, made a statement that I think rang true; "His body was not willing to last as long as his soul. Maybe the only reason he lasted this past year was because he wanted to spend one last Easter with the people he loved and guided. God granted him his last request." As I processed this, it made sense because sometimes people are granted their prayers, just not necessarily the way they want. The Pope’s suffering with dignity gave inspiration to people of all faiths. It proved that compassion and hope are stronger than words. That night, only a couple of minutes after the Vatican announced the Pope's death, every television station in Poland was flooded with news reports. Even Jetix, the cartoon station, produced memory articles that aired every other hour. I actually did not witness the initial airing of his death; I was in bed half asleep when my good friend, Agnieszka Halińska, called me wanting to discuss canceling our plans for the evening because the Pope had just died. Sunday, I went to three different churches: two in Renarzewo, where I am presently living, and one in Łabiszyn. We also went to a special candlelight ceremony that night, in the older of the two churches in Renarzewo. Monday, a special edition newspaper was released and long moments of silence held throughout the day. I stood through three just in my school alone. Tuesday was just like Monday except we were told, depending on the date of the funeral, we had a day off to mourn. Thursday, I left for Warsaw, and on arrival I saw thousands of candles lining Jana Paweł II ul. (John Paul II Avenue), in honor of the late Pope. It was a magnificent sight, which cannot be adequately captured in pictures, but I took photos anyway. On Friday, all businesses and government offices were closed. I expected no transportation, only to find out the Metro (Warsaw’s subway system) was open. After watching three out of the five hours of the funeral on CNN, we decided to go to Old Town Square to join the masses that gathered to share the funeral experience on the massive television screens. The experience was both exhilarating to be with so many people and witness history, and, at the same time, heartbreaking. To see the people I have come to love and appreciate, so heartbroken and depressed brought me the same grief. I have saved many mementos of this week to share when I return to the States, but I hope that you will go online and check out some of the pictures taken in Warsaw and Kraków during the funeral. It will touch you. Thank you. Jana Smith |
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