Polish bishops launch #ThankYouJohnPaul2 campaign for pope’s centenary 

CNA Staff, May 16, 2020 / 11:00 am

The Polish bishops' conference is encouraging the faithful to participate in a social media campaign to mark the 100^th anniversary of the birth of Pope St. John Paul II on Monday.

Pope St. John Paul II was born Karol Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland. In 1978, he made history as the first non-Italian pope in over 400 years. Pope St. John Paul II is credited with helping bring about the fall of communism in his native Poland. He was canonized as a saint in 2014.

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, the president of the Polish bishops' conference, encouraged Catholics to share their memories and witness of how the saint had influenced their life and faith on social media using the hashtag #ThankYouJohnPaul2.

Gądecki encouraged Catholics to post photos and videos to honor the saint's legacy.

"In this way we can express our gratitude to Pope John Paul II, for what he has brought and brings to our personal, family and social life, for all the meetings we had with him, in which we had the opportunity to participate, for his words, which we remember the most, for the inspirations he has evoked and continues to evoke in us," Gądecki said. 

"We can also publish the memories associated with him. In this way, we will also tell about St. John Paul II to the young generation which did not have the opportunity to get to know the Pope more closely, but is so much present in social media."

Internet users have already answered the call to create "a virtual birthday cake" for the saint, as well as honor his call for the Church to "cross this new threshold" to "put out into the deep of cyberspace" for evangelization.

"Love is a task that God constantly sets for us, perhaps to give us courage to stand up to fate." (St. John Paul II Meeting with youth, Gdansk, 1987)#ThankYouJohnPaul2#SaintJohnPaul2_100YearsBirthday pic.twitter.com/LIRSJOVMLI

- John (@John02119846) May 14, 2020

#ThankYouJohnPaul2 #DziękujęCiJaniePawle2 my Mom in in the white shirt. 1990's in ROME. pic.twitter.com/ZYNtgml4Jm

- Chris. J. Wądołowski (@cjwadolowski) May 13, 2020

Today, 39 years have passed since the attack of Saint John Paul II. Let us have the courage to testify of Christ in our daily lives and forgive our brothers #ThankYouJohnPaul2 @ChurchInPoland @EpiskopatNews pic.twitter.com/KJdE4l1NBc

- Kamil Wojciechowski (@wojciechowski58) May 13, 2020

Dziękuję św. #JPII, że dane mi było dorastać, odkrywać powołanie, kształtować umysł i serce podczas Jego pontyfikatu. Dziękuję za świadectwo, każde słowo powiedziane i napisane oraz za spotkania w Ojczyźnie i w Rzymie #ThankYouJohnPaul2 pic.twitter.com/1AuqTAQ4YP

- ks. Janusz Chyła 🇵🇱 (@Janusz1967) May 11, 2020

#ThankYouJohnPaul2 I couldn't imagine another pope at that times. Vatican was like little Poland. I turned on TV and heard Polish. Always couldn't wait for his next pilgrimage to PL.
Here something personal: visit to my city. Incredible storm, strong words... I was a baby then... pic.twitter.com/Utg2QuHGZ5

- nienawidzę obłudy#❤😇💒!🇵🇱😉🚻😍🐶👩‍🦰 (@patkon1701) May 12, 2020

#ThankYouJohnPaul2
Amor e gratidão, Centenario de nascimento de São João Paulo II. pic.twitter.com/aVmXmrAp8R

- Helena Prim Janning (@JanningPrim) May 14, 2020

Za to, że jesteś z nami cały czas. Że modlisz się za naszą biedną Polskę!#ThankYouJohnPaul2 🇵🇱 pic.twitter.com/XciuhYEuEb

- Patrick Czajkus (@patrickCzajkus7) May 12, 2020

Za piękny przykład trwania na modlitwie #ThankYouJohnPaul2 pic.twitter.com/4fH32j9H2T

- ks. Mateusz Wyrobkiewicz 🇵🇱 (@M_Wyrobkiewicz) May 12, 2020

#ThankYouJohnPaul2 pic.twitter.com/haVC6ua2Ia

- Witold Narwojsz (@Witold_Narwojsz) May 11, 2020

JAN PAWEŁ II WIELKI. LIST BENEDYKTA XVI [PEŁNA TREŚĆ]

W liście Benedykta XVI można dostrzec miłość i podziw dla Jana Pawła II. List pozwala jeszcze lepiej zrozumieć historię życia i działalność Wielkiego Papieża #JanPawełII #ThankYouJohnPaul2 #Wojtylahttps://t.co/teTlvUxOnb

- EWTN Polska (@EWTNPL) May 15, 2020