Extracts from the Homily given by Pope John Paul II for The Family and Family Values, at a service at the Racecourse in York 31st May 1982. At the Open Air Service many renewed their marriage vows.

“I am conscious of the history, especially religious history, in this part of England. I refer to Holy Island where Aidan and Cuthbert brought the Catholic Faith. I recall Bede who wrote so lovingly of the early life of the Church in England. I remember that a thousand years later men and women laid down their lives in this region for the Faith they loved. Mary Ward taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ to English exiles and Margaret Clitheroe gave her life in this city of York.

Extracts from the Homily given by Pope John Paul II, Monday 31st May 1982, Mass of Ordination at Heaton Park, Manchester.
At this important moment in your lives I say to you, young men, realise how deeply Jesus desires you to be consecrated as he himself is consecrated Realise how closely the bond of priesthood joins you to Christ. Be worthy of the privilege you are going to receive for bringing God’s gift of love to his people and offering to God the people’s prayerful response…

From the Homily given by John Paul II outside Coventry during his Pastoral Visit to Great Britain 30th May 1982.
My first words to you all are, Peace Be With You …
We are close to the city of Coventry, a city devastated by war but rebuilt in hope. The ruins of the old Cathedral and the building of the new recognised throughout the world as a symbol of Christian reconciliation and peace…

The Gospel Readings for these first three Sundays of Easter describe the gradual coming to belief of key figures in the Gospel Story; the beloved disciple believes as soon as he sees the empty tomb and Mary Magdalen when she sees the Risen Jesus. At this point the disciples don’t know what to believe until Jesus arrives in the locked room with them and shows them that it really is him, but showing his scars and bringing the Spirit on them.