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Canonization of Pope John Paul II Scott 1559 (2014) When American baseball fans hear the term ‘Fall Classic', we immediately recognize it as a reference to the World Series. The best-of-seven game series between the champions of the American and National Leagues has been played out since 1903, and the 2023 version was completed last week, with the Texas Rangers defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks, four games to one, to win their first World Series championship. How does a discussion of baseball lend itself to Vatican philately? Not at all, really, except a recent article in the National Catholic Register caught my eye with it a title having a connection to the Fall Classic. Father Raymond J. de Souza’s article is entitled: ’Pope John Paul II: The Catholic Church’s Mr. October’, and it can be read by clicking on the link in the references below. Father de Souza makes reference to two New York Yankee greats who made their marks in World Series past: Yogi Berra, who played or coached on a record 13 World Series champions, and Reggie Jackson, who was given the nickname 'Mr. October' for his exploits in winning championships with both the Oakland Athletics and the Yankees (as a life-long Red Sox fan, please do not bring up 1978). Well, what’s the connection? Father deSouza’s article notes that, in addition to all the events occurring within the Church this October (not the least of which being the recent Synod on Synodality), it also marked the 45th anniversary of the election of Pope John Paul II, which occurred on October 16, 1978. He notes that his inaugural Mass, celebrated on October 22, is often referred to as the ‘Be Not Afraid’ Mass, and that October 22 is now the feast day of Saint John Paul II. 
Inauguration of Pope John Paul II, Scott 646 (1979) Father deSouza also identifies a number of events tied to John Paul II's papacy that occurred during the month of October: October 1979: Pope John Paul makes his first trip to the United States, which included an initial stop in Boston, as well as a visit to New York where, appropriately, he celebrated a Mass at Yankee Stadium. 
Travels of Pope John Paul II, 1979: United States, Scott C70 (1980) October 1982: Pope John Paul canonized Saint Maximilian Kolbe, the priest martyred in 1941 while interred at the Auschwitz concentration camp, whom the pope called “the patron saint of our difficult century.” 
Saint Maximillian Kolbe, Scott 1630 (2016) October 1996: the pope celebrated the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination. Attended by clergy from around the world, the event was capped by the publication of the memoir on his priestly vocation, Gift and Mystery. 
50th Anniversary of the Ordination of Pope John Paul II, Scott 1013 (1996) October 1997: Pope John Paul declared St. Thérèse of Lisieux a doctor of the Church on the centenary of her death. 
100th Anniversary of the Birth of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Scott 535 (1973) October 1998: Pope John Paul celebrated the 20th anniversary his papal election. He also canonized Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), the Jewish convert killed at Auschwitz. 
Europa 1996, Famous Women: Sister Edith Stein, Scott 1010 (1996) October 2000: During the Holy Year Jubilee of 2000, the pope called on the Church around the world to trust Our Lady of Fatima. The pope had a deep devotion to Our Lady and often cited his survival of an assassination attempt in 1981 to her intercession. 
Left: Popes of the Holy Year: John Paul II (Scott 1149, 2000) Right: Travels of Pope John Paul II, 2000: Fatima (Scott 1189, 2001) October 2003: the pope celebrated the 25th anniversary of his election. In addition, he beatified Mother Teresa, the third ‘Teresa’ to be honored by John Paul II in his months of October. 
Left: 25th Anniversary of the Pontificate of Pope John Paul II (Scott 1237, 2003) Right: Beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Scott 1245, 2003) Father de Souza cites other events and accomplishments that took place during the Octobers of the papacy of Pope John Paul II, whom he nicknames ‘Father October’. Father de Souza concludes his article by saying: October in Rome is a special time. It was a beautiful thing to be in Rome then, when Father October gave us one ‘Fall Classic’ after another. The article inspired this philatelic review, and it is hoped reminds all of us of the great impact on the Church of Pope John Paul II. REFERENCES: Father Raymond J. de Souza, National Catholic Register, October 31, 2023, Pope John Paul II: The Catholic Church’s Mr. October Vatican Philatelic Society website, www.vaticanstamps.org, Stamp Database Search |
