Eastern European Adventure Part VIII: The Kneeler

"How to pray?  This is a simple matter.  I would say:  Pray any way you like, so long as you do pray."  ~Pope John Paul II

As I mentioned yesterday, Poland turned into quite the Pope John Paul II pilgrimage for me.  I toured all over the country to see churches where he said Mass, houses where he was born, windows from which he spoke, clothes that he wore, you name it.  My favorite item, however, was tucked away in his former apartment in Krakow.  It was not mentioned in any guidebook or tour map.  I suppose that it is not really anything overly impressive, but it had a huge impact on me.

This was JPII's kneeler, on which he prayed for years.

And if you looked closely, you could see that the padding was worn out where he knees rested.

I actually got a little choked up in the room looking at this.  Think of all of the prayers offered by JPII in this very spot.  All of the hours spent talking to God.  Petitions that were granted, and some that were not.  Prayers for the faithful, the sick, the dying, his beloved Poland.  Prayers for justice and peace and kindness.  Prayers for you and me.

While in Poland I purchased a book all about JPII's everyday life called, He Liked Tuesdays Best, which was written by one of his Papal secretaries.  The book talks about how consistently, and how often, JPII prayed.  It is no wonder that his kneeler was worn out.  It made me ask myself, if I had a kneeler, would it look similar?  Or would it be in fresh, pristine condition?  I know the answer, and I don't like it.

I don't want a new kneeler.  I want one that is old, ragged, and worn out.  Much like the one you see above.  God speaks to us in mysterious ways.  Apparently, for me, that includes  an old piece of furniture tucked away in a tiny room in Poland.