Johnpaulmoments.com Announces Book on John Paul II's 'Living Miracles'

CHESHIRE, CT, March 11, 2011 (Press-News.org) John Paul II's "living miracles" are chronicled in a new book by author Brother Randall J. Meissen. Living Miracles: Spiritual Sons of John Paul the Great is based on dozens of interviews with bishops, priests, and seminarians and gauges the impact of what has come to be known as the "JP2 generation." Its publication follows in the wake of the Vatican's announcement of John Paul II's beatification, scheduled for May 1—an announcement which opens the door to official sainthood for the popular pontiff.

While the book does contain previously unpublished details regarding a miracle credited to the deceased pope--namely the sudden recovery of Madrid resident Carlos Vasquez from Crohn's disease--most of the "living miracles" concern the transforming effect encounters with John Paul II often had.

In one example, Father Peter Mitchell, Lincoln Diocese priest and professor at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, says an encounter with John Paul II at the 1993 World Youth Day in Denver motivated him to consider the priesthood. "The experience...totally blew me away," Father Mitchell recalls. "As soon as [John Paul II] entered the stadium that day, everyone...started crying, and no one could really explain why. It was just so powerful." When John Paul started to pray the Our Father at that event, the rain stopped and "the biggest rainbow you've ever seen came over the stadium," Father Mitchell remembers.

Elsewhere, Peter Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte, North Carolina, says that during his years as a University of North Carolina accounting student, interior discontentment with "humdrum life" and a coincidental encounter with a parish priest led him enter the seminary. By a remarkable turn of events, Jugis went on to be both ordained a priest and appointed bishop by John Paul II. Now he boasts a connection with the saintly pope that few can match.

Now in his ministry as bishop, Jugis tries to emulate John Paul's example of constant availability. "The pope gave you a lot of time," says Jugis. "He never gave the impression that he was rushed or wanted to be done with you."

Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver and Cardinal Daniel Dinardo of Houston also share their views on the reality of a John Paul II generation. Dinardo recounts that he began to see a profound change in the culture of the seminary where he studied, starting in the 80's but "full blown" by the 90's.

Living Miracles: The Spiritual Sons of John Paul the Great is available on Amazon.com and from http://johnpaulmoments.com.

To request a review copy of Living Miracles or for other questions about the book, submit a request on the website johnpaulmoments.com.