The Church celebrated the feast of Saint John Paul II on October 22.
In celebration, EWTN host Father Leo Patalinghug of Plating Grace shared a touching story about his multiple encounters with Saint Pope John Paul II.
The post has since gained popularity across Instagram.
"I actually met Saint John Paul II like five times,” Father Leo begins in his video.
He explains how he served Mass for the Holy Father and witnessed him open up the Holy Doors in the year 2000.
“And probably the most powerful thing is that he used my chalice,” he says. “He used my chalice in a private Mass in Castel Gandolfo, which is the summer residence.”
However, something struck Father Leo during a particularly memorable encounter with Pope John Paul II.
“I remember when I shook his hands, he looked deeply into my eyes, and I could tell that he was looking into my soul. There was [like] no doubt about it. And he said something to me, and the only thing I could think of at that moment was, please stop looking into my soul because, you know, I'm a priest, but I'm not perfect in any way. I sometimes have a divided heart, and sin [is] real.
“And so for him to look into my eyes but kind of penetrate my soul, it was kind of uncomfortable, but then he said to me, ‘Be a good priest.’”
Father Leo vulnerably states that being a good priest doesn’t require spiritual perfection.
Instead, he says, it means that “you're faithful. Faithful to the church's teachings, faithful to our liturgy, faithful to our commitments and our vows, faithful to our spiritual practices, faithful to your responsibilities.”
Father Leo says that he looks to the holy example of Saint John Paul II on his quest to do just that– to be a good priest.
“I mean, there are many times when he just looks so tired, but he kept getting up. I remember seeing him genuflect after consecration at Saint Peter's Basilica, and he struggled to get up. His secretary was there to help him up, but he got up. So today, on the feast of Saint John Paul II, I just consider what it means to be faithful. Doesn't mean to be perfect. It means to be humble enough that you get up and you try again every time we fall.”
Father Leo notes that Saint John Paul II provided an especially powerful witness as he grew older during his pontificate.
I think we can all agree!
Watch Father Leo Patalinghug’s full video below:
The caption reads,
“On his feast day, I am reminded of what a remarkable man Saint John Paul II was. Counted among the great saints in Heaven, we look to him today as an example, striving for the holiness that shone throughout his papacy.”
The comment section was filled with various responses.
Here's what some people said:
One user related to Father Leo’s resilience as a priest,
“What an amazing blessing! As the wife of a deacon, I feel the heavy weight of the expectation that I’m supposed to be holy like Mary is holy. Yet I’m also a sinner, unlike Mary. So I pick myself up, sometimes with more holy help than I can muster alone, and strive to be the daughter of the King. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story! God bless you and your priestly ministry. 🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼”
“Wow, I needed this!! Thank you! Totus Tuus Maria,” someone else said.
“Why am I crying though? 😭” another user commented.
“Thank you for sharing your experience. It kind of reminds me of when I go to Confession," another person added.