Blessed JP 2's Relic Comes to US

                         (One of these nuns was healed of Parkinsonism through the intercession of Blessed John Paul 2. Here they are venerating a vial of blood at his beatification in 2011)

Recently, the priests of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts received a vial of blood that had been taken from Blessed Pope John Paul 2 before he died. This is considered a first class relic because  it is an actual part of the body of the individual.  It is so appropriate that the relic comes to the Divine Mercy shrine since Blessed John Paul 2 promoted the message of Divine Mercy and made the Sunday after Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday.
   The veneration of relics has been a devotional practice of Christians since the 2nd century, particularly, the relics of martyrs.  ("Thus we, having afterwards taken up his bones, more valuable than precious stones, laid them where it was suitable." cf The Martyrdom of Polycarp)
   I look forward to going up to Stockbridge again to venerate the relic of Blessed John Paul 2 and ask for his intercession.

   "For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."