(This tribute was originally featured in the Epiphany Studios newsletter following the death of John Paul II.)

An Epiphany of Love: Thank You, Holy Father!

"Not all are called to be artists in the specific sense of the term.  Yet, as Genesis has it, all men and women are entrusted with the task of crafting their own life; in a certain sense, they are to make of it a work of art, a masterpiece." - Pope John Paul II, Letter to Artists, 1999

Reflecting upon the somewhat overwhelming life and legacy of Pope John Paul 'the Great' in light of his recent passing into Eternal Life, I found it difficult to even begin to grasp the depth of his heroic and beautiful existence.  Searching for adequate words to express my many thoughts and feelings, I turned to the writings of our Holy Father himself, knowing that he was gifted with the ability to understand and express every reality of life with profound clarity and mystical insight. 

The above quote is a perfect example of how the universal artist, John Paul II, always viewed life through the creative eyes of faith, leading us to a sense of awe and inspiration in a single sentence.  No other word better summarizes, in my estimation, the incredible life of this great man of God than the word, "masterpiece."  Every artistic masterpiece offers the admirer seemingly endless sources of reflection and meditation.  The great artistic masterpieces provide us with ever new inspiration and meaning as we experience them from different perspectives and at various periods in our life.  Even more so does the majestic masterpiece of our Holy Father's heroic life provide for his spiritual children, the world and all future generations an endless wellspring of Christian inspiration and awe. 

Our beloved Pope goes on to say in his letter to Artists that, "In producing a work, artists express themselves to the point where their work becomes a unique disclosure of their own being, of what they are and of how they are what they are...Works of art speak of their authors; they enable us to know their inner life..."  Innumerable people the world over, both Catholic and non-Catholic alike, have been touched in a deep and personal way by the artistic masterpiece of John Paul II's life and pontificate.  As the world now reflects upon the legacy he has left us we are moved even more deeply by the numerous facets of the inner life of this modern day saint, disclosed to us in as many different ways as there are unique individuals that he affected and continues to affect. 

Epiphany Studio Productions is one small example of the wide and eclectic impact that John Paul II had on the world during his life.  Our work is rooted in the writings of John Paul II on the theater & culture, finding immense inspiration in his artistic vision.  The name "Epiphany" comes from his letter to artists where he declares, "...the Church hopes for a renewed ?epiphany' of beauty in our time and apt responses to the particular needs of the Christian community."  The life of Pope John Paul II gave us a living fulfillment of this hope, offering the Church and the world a new epiphany of love through his beautiful examples of patient suffering, inexhaustible self-sacrifice, noble fidelity to Christ and His gospel, a deep passion for arts & science, a very personal humanity and a tireless defense of human rights and dignity.  Our response is one of profound gratitude coupled with a desire to imitate his example as we put his vision for the theater into practice.  Pope John Paul II...pray for us!