Dinner with the Saints
Welcome Saint Pope John Paul II to the table!
A man truly after my own heart indeed, it is well noted and often lovingly remembered that St. Pope John Paul II had quite a pronounced sweet tooth throughout his entire life. His most notably favorite dessert was the Polish Kremówka Papieska, a wonderfully delightful and richly creamy kind of cream puff cake that brings joy and smiles to many who taste it. Yum! This sweet treat originates from his cherished childhood hometown of Wadowice, Poland, where it holds a deep and special nostalgic significance for those who grew up with him and remember his warmth. Now that we have established the very best part of the meal, HaHa!
What’s for dinner?
I absolutely love pierogies! So naturally, we will definitely have them included.Pierogi ruskie (Potato and cheese): The most popular savory variety, these are filled with a creamy mix of mashed potato, quark or farmer's cheese, and sautéed onions.would be a delicious accompanied by Greek yogurt chicken. Top with sour cream, tzatziki. with a white table wine. and of course,Polish Kremówka Papieska.
One of my favorite quotes from Pope St. John Paul II is, “We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song.” This powerful statement truly hit me deep in my heart. I was 26 years old when I first heard these words, and his messages about not despairing in difficult times immediately resonated with me. Themes such as forgiveness, overcoming adversity, and finding joy are just a few of the powerful lessons we can learn from this great evangelist. His famous encouragement, “Be not afraid,” reminds us that even in the face of our hardships, we must seek Christ and recognize the inherent dignity in every person. God loves us all, despite our brokenness and frailty, and calls us to trust Him always while living life with abundant joy.
Pope John Paul II also emphasized the importance of treating others with love and respect, rather than objectifying them. We are called to be faithful stewards of the gifts God has given us. He saw the immense potential in each of us to grow spiritually, and he taught that we must nurture this potential by making prayer as natural and essential to us as breathing. Contrary to being distant or unapproachable, Pope John Paul was engaging, playfully honest, and never lost his sense of humor. He understood the value of a balanced life and always made time for rest and leisure.
Perhaps most importantly, he reminded us that we are not meant to walk this journey of faith alone. He was a true model of friendship centered on Christ, showing us through his own life the importance of community and having friends who support us on the path to holiness. His influence is one of the key reasons this blog is called the Journey — a reminder of how vital community and friendship are for our spiritual growth. Thank you, St. Pope John Paul II, for being a servant leader who led with love, courage, and unwavering faith.
Polish Kremówka Papieska,
Click on image for recipe
Saint Pope John Paul II, Pray for US!
Keep at it!
Keep praying. Love the Lord.
Peace and Grace.
