University of St. Thomas' St. John Paul II Institute will host a lecture series on the former pope's canonization process. The event is scheduled for March 21 at 3910 Yoakum Blvd. in Houston.
Details of the Lecture Series
According to Eventbrite, the lecture is on March 21, Tuesday, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Jones Hall of the University of St. Thomas. The two-hour event would feature bishop-elect Slawomir Oder.
The post said Oder was the man behind the body that probed Pope John Paul II's life as part of his road to sainthood.
The event, which is free to the public, will highlight bishop-elect Oder's firsthand account of his investigation into St. John Paul II's life as a religious man. The post noted that Oder would 'share his humbling, beautiful, extraordinary experience from his unique insider's perspective, including previously untold stories that came to light during the process.'
The announcement said that while the event is free, donations are welcome. The donations would go to the St. John Paul II Institute's expenses for the lecture series, Eventbrite said.
The post added that parking is available at the Moran Parking Center at 3807 Graustark St. for $10. The curbside outside the Jones Hall will also be open for vehicles but on a limited basis.
The organizers advised those who have questions about the event to contact (713) 525-2112 or email sjpiiprograms@stthoom.edu.
About St. John Paul II
According to a Britannica article, St. John Paul II was born Karol Józef Wojtyła on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland. He was the youngest of three children and grew up in a devout Catholic family. After his mother's death when he was just 8 years old, he would eventually feel a calling to the priesthood and attend seminary.
During World War II, he worked in a quarry and then in a chemical factory to avoid being drafted into the Nazi army. After the war, he was ordained a priest in November 1946. He continued his studies in Rome, earning a doctorate in theology.
In December 1963, he was appointed Archbishop of Kraków and became a cardinal in June 1967. As a bishop, he was known for his outreach to young people and his dedication to social justice issues.
On Oct. 16, 1978, he was elected Pope, becoming the first non-Italian Pope in more than four and a half centuries. The article added that he was also the first pope from a Slavic nation.
During his papacy, which lasted until his death on April 2, 2005, he traveled extensively, visiting more than 129 countries and becoming known as the "Pilgrim Pope." He was also a staunch defender of traditional Catholic doctrine and opposed abortion, contraception, and homosexuality.
St. John Paul II is remembered for his efforts to promote interfaith dialogue and his role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. He was beatified on May 1, 2011, and canonized on April 27, 2014, making him a saint of the Catholic Church.
His official feast day is Oct. 22, the Britannica article noted.
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