Poland was the place to be

KRAKOW, POLAND - The morning weather forecast for Krakow predicted rain and storms. I sat on my bed in the monastery and gazed at my tablet in dismay.

My plan was to watch the canonization Mass in Rome on the giant screen outside the still-unfinished Sanktuarium Jana Pawła II and stay put for the live Polish Mass afterwards; I didn’t fancy getting soaked.

“Dear Blessed John Paul,” I prayed. “Could you please ask the Lord not to allow your people of Krakow who love you so much — plus me — to be rained on this morning?”

And lo! Although the skies over Krakow remained grey, lowering above the Vatican-flag fluttering trams dashing to and from the Sanktuarium, the rain held off. Instead, sun poured through the clouds, warming the crowds and burning my over-sensitive skin.