Holy Thursday he spent in the house, already in the bedroom. He participated in the Mass of Chrism from the Vatican Basilica on television. Good Friday was the same. He did not go down to the Basilica, to the confessional. For the first time he did not confess. It must have hurt him. Like the fact that for the first time he did not take part in the Stations of the Cross at the Coliseum.
- But, he was there in spirit and on television ...
- He did not want to be in bed, he wanted to participate somehow in the Stations of the Cross. And, then we came up with an idea of broadcasting from his private chapel. He could pray with those who were in the Coliseum. He could watch them, and they were able to see him.
- Many said that at the time that he was with them, with all of them more than ever before ...
- I thought so too, when he cuddle his face to the cross. It was an extraordinary picture, an extraordinary testimony. We, who were standing next to him, were able to see something that you could not see on TV. We saw this tube in the trachea. We have seen how hard he breathes and how he fights. It was his stations of the cross. It was his cross. And, these words of the message, which
Cardinal Ruini read on behalf of John Paul II, after Saint Paul: "[I]n my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church" (Col 1: 24). I also offer my sufferings so that God's plan may be completed and his Word spread among the peoples.” And finally, "Hail, O Cross, our only hope, give us patience and courage and obtain peace for the world!" The Holy Father explained to us, explained to the world what was happening. And, what a great sense his suffering make, what mission it has.
With the permission of Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki –“He liked Tuesdays the most”
M Publishing House, Krakow 2008
