HE WAS NEVER FULL OF HIMSELF

Patrick O’Sullivan SJ

Fr Pat O'Sullivan introduces Jesuit collegue Fr Louis Paulussen to Pope John Paul at the Jesuits' motherhouse in Rome.

There have been so many wonderful — and most appropriate — tributes to our recent Holy Father, John Paul II. These few recollections are nothing more than a very humble but respectful record of personal encounters with him, which highlight his humour.

Why his humour? I cannot give chapter and verse as to the origin of this story, but it is attributed to John Paul II that he was once asked what he considered were the most important values for a person today to live by. He is reported to have replied, ‘A belief in Jesus; and a sense of humour’. And then, so the story goes, he gave a wry smile and said, ‘Actually, I’d reverse the order’.

For a number of years I was stationed in Rome, at our Jesuit headquarters, working with the Christian Life Community secretariate. On one occasion the Pope visited our general house and my predecessor, a Father Louis Paulussen from Holland, said to me, ‘Now, when the Pope comes and we all meet him, since you have taken my place, you must introduce me to him’. Naturally I agreed, for Louis was one of those rare people whom, when you meet them, you come away from feeling that there really is a loving God, and it’s all worth while.

So, when the Holy Father came, I duly introduced Louis to him, with the words: ‘Your Holiness, I’d like to introduce you to one of the saints of the 20th century church’.

The Pope smiled graciously at Louis and asked him, ‘And where do you come from, Father?’

Now, at that time, the church in Holland was causing the Vatican considerable concern, so, when Louis replied, ‘Holland, your Holiness’, the Pope turned back to me, looked me in the eye, and said with a quirky grin, ‘A Saint? from Holland?’

My other recollection of John Paul’s humour is stolen from Paul Gardiner SJ. Paul and I were together in Rome for a number of years, when Paul was working on the cause for canonisation of Mary McKillop. At that time John Paul II was in full vigour, so it was possible for different groups of people to attend his morning Mass. On one occasion, Paul was able to do so.

It was the Pope’s custom, after Mass was over, to meet his congregation and have a word with each person. When he came to Paul, he asked him what he was doing in Rome. Paul replied, ‘I am working, with your Holiness’ approval, for the canonisation of our first Australian saint, Mother Mary McKillop’.

Whereupon the Pope gave Paul an encouraging smile, and whispered, ‘You know, Father, you work would be so much easier if she were Polish or Italian’.

The greatness of John Paul II, and the way his presence changed the world scene is a fact of history. And, for what it is worth, I do believe his quirky sense of humour was a significant factor in all he achieved.

John Paul II never took himself too seriously; he was never full of himself. And when we are never full of ourselves, Jesus can fill up the empty space we leave for him, and do wonderful things in us and through us — as he did so fruitfully in the life of his faithful servant, John Paul II.

Patrick O’Sullivan SJ was Editor of Madonna from June 1991 to June 1994.