This biography summarizes the life of Karol Wojtyla, who would later become Pope John Paul II. It details his birth and upbringing in Poland, the deaths of his parents and siblings in his youth, his education and early career as a priest in Poland. It describes his role during World War II and the communist occupation, his academic studies and teachings, and his progressive rise in the Catholic church, becoming a bishop, cardinal, and ultimately the first non-Italian pope in over 400 years when he was elected in 1978.

1. KAROL WOJTYLA - BIOGRAPHY

2. He was born in Wadowice,
Poland, on 18 May 1920,
the third of three children
born to Karol Wojtyła
and Emilia Kaczorowska,
(who died in 1929).
His elder brother Edmund,
a physician, died in 1932,
and his father, Karol, a non-
commissioned officer in
the army, died in 1941

3. His mother,
Emilia, who was
a schoolteacher,
died from a heart
attack and kidney
failure in 1929
when Wojtyła
was eight
years old.

4. His elder sister Olga
had died before his
birth, but he was
close to his brother
Edmund, who was
13 years his senior.
Edmund's work as a
physician eventually
led to his death from
scarlet fever.

5. He was nine
years old when
he received his
First Communion
and eighteen
when he received
the Sacrament of
Confirmation.

6. After completing
high school in
Wadowice,
he enrolled in
the Jagellonian
University of
Krakow in 1938

7. His father, a
former Austro-
Hungarian non-
commissioned
officer and later
officer in the
Polish Army, died
of a heart attack
in 1941, leaving
Wojtyła as the
immediate
family's only
surviving member

8. While studying such topics
as philology and various
languages, he worked as
a volunteer librarian and
though required to
participate in compulsory
military training in the
Academic Legion, he
refused to fire a weapon

9. He performed with
various theatrical
groups and worked
as a playwright.
During this
time, his talent
for language
blossomed

10. When the occupying Nazi forces
closed the University in 1939, Karol
worked (1940-1944) as a messenger
for a restaurant, a manual labourer in
a limestone quarry and for the Solvay
chemical factory, in order to avoid
deportation to Germany

11. In February 1940,
he met Jan
Tyranowski who
introduced him
to the Carmelite
spirituality and
the "Living
Rosary" youth
groups.

12. He had two major accidents, suffering a fractured skull
after being struck by a tram and sustaining injuries
which left him with one shoulder higher than the other,
and a permanent stoop after being hit by a lorry in a quarry.

13. he began his studies
for the priesthood in
1942 in the clandestine
major seminary of
Krakow, directed by
the Archbishop Adam
Stefan Sapieha.

14. Wojtyła also helped a 14-year-old Jewish refugee girl named Edith
Zierer, who had escaped from a Nazi labour camp in Częstochowa

15. after the war, Karol continued his studies in the major seminary,
newly reopened, and in the school of theology at the Jagellonian
University, until his priestly ordination in Krakow on 1 November 1946.

16. While a
student in
Rome, he spent
his vacations
exercising
pastoral
ministry among
Polish emigrants
in France,
Belgium and
Holland

17. In 1948, Father Wojtyła returned to Poland and
was appointed a curate in the parish church
of the Assumption in Niegowić, near Krakow,

18. and later at Saint Florian in the city of Krakow.

19. He was a
university
chaplain
until 1951,
when he
again
undertook
studies in
philosophy
and
theology.

20. In 1953, Father Wojtyła presented a dissertation at the Jagellonian University of Krakow on
the possibility of grounding a Christian ethic on the ethical system developed by Max Scheler.

21. Wojtyła developed
a theological
approach, called
phenomenological
Thomism, that
combined traditional
Catholic Thomism
with the ideas
of personalism,
a philosophical
approach deriving
from phenomenology

22. Wojtyła wrote a
series of articles in
Kraków's Catholic
newspaper,
Tygodnik Powszechny
("Universal Weekly"),
dealing with
contemporary
church issues.
He also wrote
poetry and plays.

23. While teaching, he gathered a group
of about 20 young people, who
began to call themselves Rodzinka,
the "little family". They met for
prayer, philosophical discussion,
and to help the blind and the sick.
The group eventually grew to
approximately 200 participants, and
their activities expanded to include
annual skiing and kayaking trips

24. While a priest in
Kraków, groups of
students regularly
joined Wojtyła for
hiking, skiing,
bicycling, camping
and kayaking,
accompanied
by prayer,
outdoor Masses
and theological
discussions

25. Wojtyła asked his younger
companions to call him
"Wujek" (Polish for "Uncle")
to prevent outsiders from
deducing he was a priest

26. Father Wojtyła was then sent by Cardinal Sapieha to Rome,
where he attained a doctorate in theology (1948)

27. In the P.U.S.T. in Rome, he defended his doctoral
thesis titled Doctrina de fide apud S. Ioannem a
Cruce (The Doctrine of Faith in St. John of the
Cross) in philosophy on 19 June 1948

28. Wojtyła visited Padre Pio, who heard his confession and told
him that one day he would ascend to "the highest post in
the Church". Cardinal Stickler added that Wojtyła believed
that the prophecy was fulfilled when he became a Cardinal

29. On 4 July 1958, Pope Pius XII appointed Father Wojtyła auxiliary bishop
of Krakow, with the titular see of Ombi. Archbishop Eugeniusz Baziak
ordained him in Wawel Cathedral (Krakow) on 28 September 1958

30. In 1959, Wojtyła began an annual
tradition of saying a Midnight Mass
on Christmas Day in an open field
at Nowa Huta, the so-called model
workers' town outside Kraków that
was without a church building

31. Bishop Wojtyła took part in the Second Vatican Council (1962- 1965)
and made a significant contribution to the drafting of the Constitution
Gaudium et Spes. He also took part in the five assemblies of
the Synod of Bishops prior to the start of his Pontificate

32. On 13 January
1964, Pope Paul VI
appointed Bishop
Wojtyła as
Archbishop of
Krakow and
subsequently,
on 26 June 1967,
created him a
Cardinal

33. In 1973, Wojtyła met philosopher Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka, the wife of Hendrik S. Houthakker,
professor of economics at Stanford University and Harvard University, and member of President
Nixon's Council of Economic Advisers Tymieniecka collaborated with Wojtyła on a number
of projects including an English translation of Wojtyła's book Osoba i czyn (Person and Act).
When Wojtyła visited New England in the summer of 1976, Tymieniecka put him up as a guest in her
family home. Wojtyła enjoyed his holiday in Pomfret, Vermont kayaking and enjoying the outdoors

34. During 1974–1975, Wojtyła served Pope Paul VI as consultor to the Pontifical Council for
the Laity, as recording secretary for the 1974 synod on evangelism and by participating
extensively in the original drafting of the 1975 apostolic exhortation, Evangelii nuntiandi

35. On 16 October 1978, Cardinal Wojtyła was elected Pope and on 22
October he began his ministry as universal Pastor of the Church

36. LIST OF PRESENTATIONS IN ENGLISH
Revised 20-9-2022
Advent and Christmas – time of hope and peace
All Souls Day
Amoris Laetitia – ch 1 – In the Light of the Word
Amoris Laetitia – ch 2 – The Experiences and Challenges of Families
Amoris Laetitia – ch 3 - Looking to Jesus, the Vocation of the Family
Amoris Laetitia – ch 4 - Love in Marriage
Amoris Laetitia – ch 5 – Love made Fruitfuol
Amoris Laetitia – ch 6 – Some Pastoral Perspectives
Amoris Laetitia – ch 7 – Towards a better education of children
Amoris Laetitia – ch 8 – Accompanying, discerning and integrating weaknwss
Amoris Laetitia – ch 9 – The Spirituality of Marriage and the Family
Beloved Amazon 1ª – A Social Dream
Beloved Amazon 2 - A Cultural Dream
Beloved Amazon 3 – An Ecological Dream
Beloved Amazon 4 - An Ecclesiastical Dream
Carnival
Conscience
Christ is Alive
Fatima, History of the Apparitiions
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 1 – Church and Family today
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 2 - God’s plan for the family
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 1 – family as a Community
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 2 – serving life and education
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 3 – mission of the family in society
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 4 - Family in the Church
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 4 Pastoral familiar
Football in Spain
Freedom
Grace and Justification
Haurietis aquas – devotion to the Sacred Heart by Pius XII
Holidays and Holy Days
Holy Spirit
Holy Week – drawings for children
Holy Week – glmjpses of the last hours of JC
Human Community
Inauguration of President Donald Trump
Juno explores Jupiter
Kingdom of Christ
Laudato si 1 – care for the common home
Laudato si 2 – Gospel of creation
Laudato si 3 – Human roots of the ecological crisis
Laudato si 4 – integral ecology
Laudato si 5 – lines of approach and action
Laudato si 6 – Education y Ecological Spirituality
Life in Christ
Love and Marriage 12,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Lumen Fidei – ch 1,2,3,4
Mary – Doctrine and dogmas
Mary in the bible
Martyrs of Korea
Martyrs of North America and Canada
Medjugore Santuario Mariano
Merit and Holiness
Misericordiae Vultus in English
Moral Law
Morality of Human Acts
Passions
Pope Franciss in Thailand
Pope Francis in Japan
Pope Francis in Sweden
Pope Francis in Hungary, Slovaquia
Pope Francis in America
Pope Francis in the WYD in Poland 2016
Passions
Querida Amazonia
Resurrection of Jesus Christ –according to the Gospels
Russian Revolution and Communismo 3 civil war 1918.1921
Russian Revolution and Communism 1
Russian Revolution and Communismo 2
Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr
Saint Albert the Great
Saint Anthony of Padua
Saint Bruno, fuunder of the Carthusians
Saint Faustina Kowalska and thee divine mercy
Saint Francis de Sales
Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Saint James, apostle
Saint John N. Neumann, bishop of Philadelphia
Saint Joseph
Saint Maria Goretti
Saint Mary Magdalen
Saint Mark, evangelist
Saint Martha, Mary and Lazarus
Saint Martin of Tours
Sain Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
Saint Maximilian Kolbe
Saint Mother Theresa of Calcutta
Saints Nazario and Celso
Saint John Chrysostom
Saint Jean Baptiste MarieaVianney, Curé of Ars
Saint John N. Neumann, bishop of Philadelphia
Saint John of the Cross
Saint Mother Teresa of Calcuta
Saint Patrick and Ireland
Saing Peter Claver
Saint Robert Bellarmine
Saint Therese of Lisieux
Saints Zachary and Elizabeth, parents of John Baptis
Signs of hope
Sunday – day of the Lord
Thanksgiving – History and Customs
The Body, the cult – (Eucharist)
The Chursh, Mother and Teacher
Valentine
Vocation to Beatitude
Virgin of Guadalupe – Apparitions
Virgin of the Pillar and Hispaniic feast day
Virgin of Sheshan, China
Vocation – mconnor@legionaries.org
WMoFamilies Rome 2022 – festval of families
Way of the Cross – drawings for children
For commentaries – email – mflynn@legionaries.org
Fb – Martin M Flynn
Donations to - BANCO - 03069 INTESA SANPAOLO SPA
Name – EUR-CA-ASTI
IBAN – IT61Q0306909606100000139493

37. LISTA DE PRESENTACIONES EN ESPAÑOL
Revisado 27-6-2022
Abuelos
Adviento y Navidad, tiempo de esperanza
Amor y Matrimonio 1 - 9
Amoris Laetitia – ch 1 – A la luz de la Palabre
Amoris Laetitia – ch 2 – Realidad y Desafíos de las Familias
Amoris Laetitia – ch 3 La mirada puesta en Jesús: Vocación de la Familia
Amoris Laetitia – ch 4 - El Amor en el Matrimonio
Amoris Laetitia – ch 5 – Amor que se vuelve fecundo
Amoris Laetitia – ch 6 – Algunas Perspectivas Pastorales
Amoris Laetitia – ch 7 – Fortalecer la educacion de los hijos
Amoris Laetitia – ch 8 – Acompañar, discernir e integrar la fragilidad
Amoris Laetitia – ch 9 – Espiritualidad Matrimonial y Familiar
Carnaval
Conciencia
Cristo Vive
Dia de todos los difuntos
Domingo – día del Señor
El camino de la cruz de JC en dibujos para niños
El Cuerpo, el culto – (eucarisía)
Encuentro Mundial de Familias Roma 2022 – festival de las familias
Espíritu Santo
Fatima – Historia de las apariciones
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 1 – iglesia y familia hoy
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 2 - el plan de Dios para la familia
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 1 – familia como comunidad
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 2 – servicio a la vida y educación
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 3 – misión de la familia en la sociedad
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 4 - participación de la familia en la iglesia
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 4 Pastoral familiar
Fátima – Historia de las Apariciones de la Virgen
Feria de Sevilla
Haurietis aquas – el culto al Sagrado Corazón
Hermandades y cofradías
Hispanidad
La Iglesia, Madre y Maestra
La Comunidad Humana
La Vida en Cristo
Laudato si 1 – cuidado del hogar común
Laudato si 2 – evangelio de creación
Laudato si 3 – La raíz de la crisis ecológica
Laudato si 4 – ecología integral
Laudato si 5 – líneas de acción
Laudato si 6 – Educación y Espiritualidad Ecológica
Ley Moral
Libertad
Lumen Fidei – cap 1,2,3,4
María y la Biblia
Martires de Corea
Martires de Nor America y Canada
Medjugore peregrinación
Misericordiae Vultus en Español
Moralidad de actos humanos
Pasiones
Papa Francisco en Bulgaria
Papa Francisco en Rumania
Papa Francisco en Marruecos
Papa Francisco en México
Papa Francisco – mensaje para la Jornada Mundial Juventud 2016
Papa Francisco – visita a Chile
Papa Francisco – visita a Perú
Papa Francisco en Colombia 1 + 2
Papa Francisco en Cuba
Papa Francisco en Fátima
Papa Francisco en la JMJ 2016 – Polonia
Papa Francisco en Hugaría e Eslovaquia
Queridas Amazoznia 1,2,3,4
El Reino de Cristo
Resurrección de Jesucristo – según los Evangelios
Revolución Rusa y Comunismo 1, 2, 3
Santa Agata, virgen y martir
San Alberto Magno
San Antonio de Padua
San Bruno, fundador del Cartujo
San Francisco de Asis 1,2,3,4
San Francisco de Sales
Santa Faustina Kowalska, y la divina misericordia
Santa Maria Goretti
Santa María Magdalena
Santa Teresa de Lisieux
San Marco, evangelista
San Ignacio de Loyola
San José, obrero, marido, padre
San Juan Ma Vianney, Curé de’Ars
San Juan Crisostom
San Juan de la Cruz
San Juan N. Neumann, obispo de Philadelphia
San Mateo, Apóstol y Evangelista
San Martin de Tours
San Mateo, Apostol y Evangelista
San Maximiliano Kolbe
Santa Teresa de Calcuta
Santos Marta, Maria, y Lazaro
San Nazario e Celso
San Padre Pio de Pietralcina
San Patricio e Irlanda
San Pedro Claver
San Roberto Belarmino
Santiago Apóstol
Santos Zacarias e Isabel, padres de Juan Bautista
Semana santa – Vistas de las últimas horas de JC
Vacaciones Cristianas
Valentín
Vida en Cristo
Virgen de Guadalupe, Mexico
Virgen de Pilar – fiesta de la hispanidad
Virgen de Sheshan, China
Virtud
Vocación a la bienaventuranza
Vocación – www.vocación.org
Vocación a evangelizar
Para comentarios – email – mflynn@lcegionaries.org
fb – martin m. flynn
Donations to - BANCO - 03069 INTESA SANPAOLO SPA
Name – EUR-CA-ASTI. IBAN – IT61Q0306909606100000139493