A few weeks ago, I finished Witness to Hope, a beautiful biography on Pope John Paul II written by George Weigel. It gave me insight into the first pope I knew in my life.

His image hung in my grandmother’s bedroom. It was a memorabilia of his visit to San Francisco. Praying the rosary regularly with my grandmother made me aware of the man dressed in white.

When he died 20 years ago, I knew in my gut that I would be living through history as the Conclave convened. I was working at Saint Stephen Parish at the time when white smoke puffed out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. The whole staff watched on tiny television in our conference room as they announced the name of John Paul II’s successor.

His constant message in my life, “Do not be afraid” has resonated in my journey of being a disciple of Jesus. During my stay in Rome, I was able to visit the tomb of Pope John Paul II regularly inside Saint Peter’s Basilica. I woke up early enough to be inside this massive basilica to be with this amazing man in prayer.

There is one photo of him that hangs at my office at work. During a particularly difficult assignment after my summer in Rome, I prayed for guidance and courage and specifically to Pope John Paul II with his motto Do not be afraid … I was returning to my room in the rectory one day to find this unsolicited photo. It was this very picture. Accompanying the photo was the post-it that read: “Manolito, my son, you called me. I am here. PJPII.”

Here’s the photo.

It was a simple sign of this loving man’s presence in my life. It is something I have treasured immensely in my journey of faith. John Paul II … we love you!