Pope Day 2003 — this coming October 16th, the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s election to the papacy — is an opportunity for us to celebrate our beloved Holy Father. Pope Day is more than just a celebration, though, it’s our chance to “give something back” to our great Pope.

John Paul has asked us to be the “Salt of the Earth” and “to go out on the streets and into public places like the first apostles, who preached Christ and the good news of salvation in the squares of cities, towns and villages.” Pope Day is our way of saying “yes” to the Holy Father.

Could there be any more fitting way to celebrate our Holy Father than to share his thought and our faith with others?

Three Essential Elements of a Pope Day...

1) Votive Mass for the Pope

2) Street evangelization: sharing the Holy Father’s writings with the general public

3) Public forums presenting the Holy Father's spirituality and thought

Pope Days can include...

• Eucharistic adoration: in New York, and at many other Pope Day sites, we'll precede the Votive Mass with 25 hours of adoration
• Confession: extended hours; even better, Denver last year offered confession in a public park
• The Rosary: October 16th is a Thursday...the day devoted to the new Luminous Mysteries
• Lectures on such themes as the dignity of the human person, the genius of women, etc.
• The Pope’s plays: students in Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia performed “Our God’s Brother”
• Video presentations: “Witness to Hope” was shown at Holy Cross and Hunter colleges
• Candlelight vigils: hundreds processed in song and prayer around Minsk, Belarus’ cathedral
• Essay contests: the best were put on display at Holy Faith Convent school in Couva, Trinidad
• Lesson of the day: CCD teachers in Cazenovia, NY all taught about the Pope to their students
• School assemblies: music, talks, and prayer to mark the 25 years of the Holy Father’s service
• Color the Pope contests: Fort Wayne’s family-oriented Pope Day featured activities for kids
• Pope parties: seminarians in Philadelphia celebrated the Holy Father with a special cake
  

Participate in a worldwide Rosary-a-thon

An ideal activity for schools and parish groups: mark the end of the Year of the Rosary declared by our Holy Father and help raise money for causes dear to his heart by organizing a local Rosary-a-thon. Click on the image at left for more information.

You, too, can organize a Pope Day!

Be counted among those who can say “We will not let this October 16th pass without celebrating our beloved Holy Father!”

To learn how you can organize a Pope Day in your community, or call him at (845) 265-2385.