Susan Helen Wallace FSP - Bl. John Paul II (ESS)

Be Not Afraid

Written by Susan Helen Wallace, FSP

Illustrated by Charlie Craig

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Wallace, Susan Helen, 1940
Blessed John Paul II : be not afraid / written by Susan Helen
Wallace ; illustrated by Charlie Craig.
p. cm. -- (Encounter the Saints Series)

ISBN 0-8198-1178-5 (pbk.)
1. John Paul II, Pope, 1920-2005--Juvenile literature. 2. Popes
-Biography--Juvenile literature. I. Craig, Charles, 1974- II. Title.
III. Series.
BX1378.5.W36 2011
282.092--dc22
[B]
2011004049

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 15 14 13 12 11

Blesseds Jacinta and Francisco Marto
Shepherds of Fatima

Blessed John Paul II
The Peoples Pope

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
Journey to the Summit

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
Missionary of Charity

Journeys with Mary
Apparitions of Our Lady

Saint Anthony of Padua
Fire and Light

Saint Bakhita of Sudan
Forever Free

Saint Bernadette Soubirous
And Our Lady of Lourdes

Saint Clare of Assisi
A Light for the World

Saint Damien of Molokai
Hero of Hawaii

Saint Edith Stein
Blessed by the Cross

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Daughter of America

Saint Faustina Kowalska
Messenger of Mercy

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
Cecchinas Dream

Saint Francis of Assisi
Gentle Revolutionary

Saint Ignatius of Loyola
For the Greater Glory of God

Saint Isaac Jogues
With Burning Heart

Saint Joan of Arc
Gods Soldier

Saint John Vianney
A Priest for All People

Saint Juan Diego
And Our Lady of Guadalupe

Saint Katharine Drexel
The Total Gift

Saint Martin de Porres
Humble Healer

Saint Maximilian Kolbe
Marys Knight

Saint Paul
The Thirteenth Apostle

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
Rich in Love

Saint Teresa of Avila
Joyful in the Lord

Saint Thrse of Lisieux
The Way of Love

For other childrens titles on the saints, visit our Web site: www.pauline.org.

It had been a long winter in Wadowice (Vad-o-VEE-chay). Spring had been slow in coming, but now, as summer began, the trees were thick with green leaves. The warm weather brought new hope to the citizens of the little Polish town, located thirty miles southwest of Warsaw. Drawing aside a lace curtain, Mrs. Wojtyla (Voy-TEE-wah) smiled as she glanced out the window. Summer is such a beautiful time of year, she thought, especially now that the war is over. Her gaze returned to the cradle she was rocking. And most especially since God has sent us little Karol!

World War I, which raged from 1914 to 1918, had ended two years earlier. After 123 years of foreign occupation, Poland had finally regained its independence. Europe was at peace, at least for the moment. The young Wojtyla familyEmilia, her husband, Karol, and their son Edmundwere overjoyed at the birth of the newest family member on May 18, 1920. The infant boy was named Karolthe Polish equivalent of Charlesafter his father. It wasnt long though, before the chubby, rosy-cheeked baby was being called by the affectionate nickname Lolek (LOW-leck). (In English, Lolek would be similar to Charlie or Chuck.)

Emilia Wojtyla was a gentle, frail woman. Karol Wojtyla, Loleks father, was a retired army officer. The couple were devoted to each other and to their children. Edmund was fourteen years older than Lolek. To his family and close friends, he was known as Mundek (MOON-dek), something like the nickname Eddie. Between the two boys, a girl had been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wojtyla. But she had lived only a short while.

Today, June 20, was special. Emilia carefully dressed her new baby in his long white baptismal robe. It was handmade of white linen and ruffles. Lolek looked perfect!

Hes ready to go, Papa, announced Emilia with a radiant smile. She wrapped her precious bundle in a light blanket to make sure hed be warm enough. Mr. Wojtyla carried his infant son across the street to their parish, the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There, Father Franciszek Zak, a military chaplain, baptized the little boy. Carefully pouring water over the babys head, he pronounced the familiar words, I baptize you, Karol Jozef Wojtyla, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Little Karol Jozef was now a member of the family of God.

Emilia and her husband sat on the couch that evening watching their new baby sleeping in his cradle. The couple said little to each other as they enjoyed the peace of the moment. Mundek curled up beside them with an interesting book. Emilias imagination was hard at work. What mother doesnt think her son or daughter is destined for greatness? she asked herself. What will Lolek become? Were simple, hard-working people. But my husband has so many good qualitiesdiligence, honesty, and prayerfulness, to name a few. And Mundek is such a wonderful boy. Karol Jozef will learn much from the good example of his father and brother. Of course, I want to help by being a loving mother. I can see it all now, she smiled. As soon as it gets warmer, Ill push my Lolek up and down the streets in his stroller. And Ill tell the neighbors who stop to admire him, My Lolek is going to be a great man some day. Just wait and see! Yes, just wait and see!

The Wojtylas lived in a comfortable second-floor apartment overlooking a courtyard. Mrs. Wojtyla often sat on the balcony and watched as Lolek and the other children played their games below. Lolek had many friends, but one of his closest was a Jewish boy named Jerzy Kluger. As they grew older, Lolek and Jerzy became experts at soccer, hiking, and swimming. In the winter, they played ice hockey on the frozen lakes and ponds.

September 15, 1926, marked a special date for Lolek. It was the day the six-year-old entered first grade. The school was just minutes away from his home. Lolek felt excited and very grown up. In the class of about sixty children, he anxiously searched for someone he knew. His face broke into a smile when he made a happy discovery. Jerzy, he exclaimed in delight, am I glad to see you!

As the weeks flew by, Lolek and his classmates learned many new things. They studied history, religion, arithmetic, and the Polish language. They enjoyed singing, drawing, arts and crafts, and games. Lolek was always at the top of his class. He loved school.