My Reflections on Serving John Paul II—on the 20th Anniversary of His Passing

St. Pope John Paul II passed away 20 years ago this April 2. Serving him between 1989 and 2005, first as his bodyguard and then as an adviser to the Holy See, was such a privilege. It was such a grace to know the Holy Father and be near him, that I feel duty-bound to share my experiences with others.

Papa Wojtyla was a great leader—a global leader—and not solely for Catholics. For 27 years in every part of the world, cultures and religions had to take into account John Paul II, a great man who devoted his life to citizenship, brotherhood, and unity between peoples without distinction because of their beliefs.

He was a man who trod this earth with human feet in the eternal passing of time in order to help humanity in her slow labor. He was a leader who placed the church in the heart of history.

During his pontificate, we had an extraordinary example of human greatness—first, with his apostolic vigor, and then through his witness of faithfulness. Even in his suffering and sickness toward the end, he pointed the way for us to an authentic human growth: a growth which was not only cultural but also economic; a growth nourished by spiritual food.

It was precisely faith which was at the heart of his pontificate, centered on the communication of the Gospel message in all its fullness. Papa Wojtyla was convinced that Christianity represented a liberating force for individuals and peoples. One day, during a private audience with an Italian political leader, I heard him say that Christianity could only transform a nation’s history if it was a source of spiritual power within the culture and not merely a cultural condition. How else, he said, could the fall of communism be explained in my beloved Poland?

John Paul II was a very special person, gifted with an enormous ability to communicate and with a brilliant intellect. Those of us who had daily contact with him, like the Swiss Guards, were always struck by the richness of his intuitions, the depth of his spirituality, the example of his prayerfulness, and his immense humility, which was rooted in his intimate union with Christ and with the Blessed Mother.

But more than his goodness, we were constantly struck by his resilience, always drawing near to people, traveling to the ends of the earth and proposing political solutions in the name of peace.

I remember clearly the intensity with which he celebrated the Eucharist and how he remained deeply recollected in prayer at the conclusion of Mass. At the same time, he had an uncommon ability to speak to people, both privately and to a crowd, with a particular magnetism toward young people, many of whom declared themselves far from the church.

Swiss Guard Mario Enzler with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. Date unknown. (Mario Enzler)

One particular image of this great and Holy Father will remain forever impressed in my memory: I opened a side door to make a security check only to find him sitting, already vested for Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, in a small room adjacent to Michelangelo’s famous Pieta statue embracing a large crucifix just as a mother holds her baby, giving and receiving true love.

A number of times, I personally witnessed the Holy Father demonstrate that true joy is not a mere passing emotion but comes from having met Jesus, who is true joy and true love. It was through his witness that we were continually exhorted to serve others as Christ did: “He who Himself came to serve and not to be served.”

For many years, John Paul II imparted the strength to hope; he was truly a witness to hope. Once elected pope, this strength was tested in ever-increasingly varied ways. He never held back despite the difficulties of a particular situation. He never resigned himself to the decline of the church. Rather, just the opposite: He materialized a rebirth of faith throughout the world.

He also frequently demonstrated to us guards his gratitude for our Petrine service, that is the service to the successor of St. Peter the apostle and the first pope. He never missed a chance to express that gratitude, sometimes, to the point of joking around with us.

One time, at the end of a General Audience, a time set aside where the pope speaks and prays with thousands of pilgrims at the Vatican, I was standing near the exit. I saw His Holiness and his surrounding entourage coming my way. I pulled myself up to attention. All of a sudden, the pope’s butler—and a joker—who was walking only 10 feet ahead of His Holiness, elbowed me really hard at the top of my stomach, causing me to bend down abruptly exactly when the pope was right in front of me. Even though I was in pain, I managed to pull myself back up while fixing my helmet. The Holy Father stopped, looked me in the eyes, and said: “Mario, there is no need to bow to me!”

In another instance, one summer day, during a break from service, four guards were playing cards on the porch of the palace of Castel Gandolfo. One of the youngest played a wrong card, triggering a comment. We call those words “spicy.”

Immediately, the Holy Father’s white skullcap dropped on the marble table. Startled, we looked up. We saw the Holy Father above us. Did he hear us? Of course, he did, we thought. What embarrassment!

A few moments later, the pope’s secretary arrived on the porch to take back the skullcap. “Sorry,” he said jokingly, “the wind!”

The guards, still astounded, looked into each other’s eyes, thinking about how he had just pulled one over on us. “Wow,” said one, “The wind must have been … (spicy).”

But more than his humor, his humility, and his wisdom, was his endless faith and love for our God and his church. His father taught young Karol the following prayer to the Holy Spirit and asked him to recite it daily (please join me in reciting it today):

Holy Spirit, I ask You for the gift of Wisdom to better know You and Your divine perfections, for the gift of Understanding to clearly discern the spirit of the mysteries of the holy faith, for the gift of Counsel that I may live according to the principles of this faith, for the gift of Knowledge that I may look for counsel in You and that I may always find it in You, for the gift of Fortitude that no fear or earthly preoccupations would ever separate me form You, for the gift of Piety that I may always serve Your majesty with a filial love, for the gift of the Fear of the Lord that I may dread sin, which offends You, O my God!

St. Pope John Paul II impacted my young life in profound ways, laying the groundwork for my becoming a husband, father, grandfather, businessman, and most importantly, a Catholic. It was his example that inspired me, his words that gave me hope, and his ideas that provided (and still do) direction to my life. I miss him! St. Pope John Paul II, pray for us!

The post My Reflections on Serving John Paul II—on the 20th Anniversary of His Passing appeared first on The Daily Signal.