John Paul II, an actor with a vocation for the priesthood

When he was young he overcame the death of his entire family, he endured the hard life of a labor worker and he studied in secrecy with the help of his professors. Thats how John Paul IIs vocation was shaped.

His story began in the small polish town of Wadowice on May 18, 1920. He was baptized one month later. He said it was here that his vocation as a Christian and for the priesthood was born.

After finishing high school, he enrolled at the Jagiellonian University of Krakow to study Polish philology and also enrolled in an acting school.

But the war and the Nazi occupation would change his plans.

John Paul II
"On one hand, you can say that my youth was marked by the Divine Providence because many of my friends lost their lives in very different circumstances, in the war or in concentration camps. This is called Shoa which in Hebrew means extermination of people. All of this belongs to the history of our century and Ive lived this story during my youth. And through this suffering, I learned to see the real world in a profound way."

At the age of 19, he started working at a stone quarry and later at a chemical factory in Solvay to earn a living and avoid deportation to Germany. Three years later, he decided to join an underground seminary organized by the bishop of Krakow, Cardinal Sapieha.

John Paul II
"That experience as a worker and a "clandestine" seminarian has stayed with me all my life. I used to take books with me to the factory during my eight-hour shift, during the day or at night. My workmates were rather surprised, but not scandalized. Indeed, they said, "We will help you, you can rest and in your place we will keep an eye [on the boilers] instead of you". So I was also able to do the exams with my professors. Everything under wraps."

This training, which helped him better understand the world, ended with his ordination on November 1, 1946, the Solemnity of All Saints. A few friends and family members were the only witnesses at the ceremony which took place at the residence of the archbishop of Krakow.

John Paul II
"As well as passing the exam, I was able to realize that metaphysics and Christian philosophy gave me a new vision of the world, a deeper perception of reality. Up to then, I had only done humanistic studies linked to literature and letters. Through metaphysics and philosophy, I found a key, the key to an understanding and perception of the world. I daresay, to be able to reach a definitive understanding."

Karol Wojtyla continued to be the same person he always was and he kept up his interest in literature and theatre. The only difference - the one that would make him become one of the most beloved men in church history - was his faith. He will always be remember for his commitment to follow Christ, his love for every person emanating from him and his dedication to children, young people and the underprivileged.

PVB

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[Sheehy83]

One of the most fascinating people of the 20th Century. Thank you for posting this!