The House was Filled with the Fragrance

During the long periods John Paul II spent in his private chapel he spoke to Jesus, abandoning himself totally to His will, and entrusting himself to Mary, repeating the Totus tuus. Like his Divine Teacher, he lived his agony in prayer. On the last day of his life, on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday, he asked that the Gospel of John be read to him. With the help of those who were nursing him, he wanted to take part in all the daily prayers and in the Liturgy of the Hours; he wanted to adore and to meditate. He died while he was praying. He truly fell asleep in the Lord. "And the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment" (Jn 12: 3). (...) Dear brothers and sisters, (...). In the Communion of Saints, we seem to hear our beloved John Paul II, who, from the Father's House, we are sure of it, never ceases to accompany the Church on her way: "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord!" (Ps 27(26): 13-14). (...) May the Totus tuus of the beloved Pontiff encourage us to follow him on the path of the gift of ourselves to Christ through the intercession of Mary, and may she herself, the Virgin Mary, obtain it for us while we entrust to her motherly hands this father, brother and friend of ours, that he may rest in God and rejoice in peace. Amen.