We are blessed to have a perpetual adoration chapel dedicated to Christ’s Divine Mercy. Already housed in our chapel are first-class relics of St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Faustina.
Adam Dombrovski, a good friend of Fr. Greg Paffel and parishioner of St. John’s in Foley, has been a key member of Fr. Greg’s team collecting these relics. Recently, he and
Fr. Michael Wolfbauer flew to Poland to meet Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Krakow, to retrieve a first-class blood relic of Pope St. John Paul II (JP II).
“On the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, we met with Cardinal Dziwisz, who was a good friend of JP II and received the relic,” Adam says. “It was a fitting day to retrieve the relic because this small cloth dipped in JP II’s blood came from the assassination attempt that occurred on Our Lady of Fatima’s feast day in 1981.”
After they secured the relic, they went to a small Polish metalworking shop that made reliquaries specifically for JP II’s relics. The craftsman specialized in making custom reliquaries to reflect the life and papacy of JP II.
“The reliquary that was made for us is a rendition of JP II’s hands holding the crucifix from his papal staff,” Adam says.
This extremely important relic of JP II’s blood will soon be housed alongside the other relics at our Divine Mercy Shrine at St. Paul’s in Sauk Centre.
On JP II’s feast day, this Oct. 22, we will present the relic at the 10:30 Mass at St. Paul’s and display it in the reliquary cabinet next to the side altar of Divine Mercy,” Adam says. “It will be special to see the relic in its permanent place. After Mass, I will give a brief talk about the pilgrimage that Fr. Michael and I went on to retrieve the relic.”
Having JP II’s blood at our Divine Mercy Shrine will be a powerful witness to the faith and inspiration to all. JP II was fundamental in defining and spreading many of the Church’s modern teachings — specifically on the value of human dignity, defending the intimacy of the marital act, and the right to life.
“Relics open our hearts to ask the saints for their intercession,” Adam says. “Through venerating the relics of JP II, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and St. Faustina, we will be inspired to imitate their lives and ask for their assistance.
“My experience with JP II’s relic has been overwhelming,” he adds. “He is such a powerful saint and to be in the presence of his blood is a great grace.”
As Adam notes, the purpose of praying in the presence of relics is to grow closer to Christ. “When you venerate the relic, ask JP II for his help and intercession just as you were to ask a friend or family member for prayers,” he says. “Relics are physical reminders of the lives of the saints that can be a great source of inspiration.”
All are welcome to attend the Mass on the feast of JP II, this Oct. 22. Furthermore, all are encouraged to adore our Eucharistic Lord Jesus Christ in St. Faustina’s Chapel of Divine Mercy where there is also a stained glass window in honor of St. John Paul II.