Totus Tuus

"Totally Yours"

Pope John Paul II with a statue of Our Lady of Fatima,
a few weeks after the attempt on his life on May 13, 1981.

Totus Tuus was Pope John Paul's apostolic motto and is a Latin phrase meaning "totally yours" signifying his person consecration to Mary the Mother of God.  Pope John Paul II as a young seminarian read many times the work of St. Louis de Montfort: True Devotion to Mary.  It was within this book that he found the words Totus Tuus.  The complete prayer translated into English, "I belong entirely to you, and all that I have is yours.  I take you for my all. O Mary, give me your heart".

Today on the Feast of Bl. John Paul II there were several times when Pope John Paul's sentiments came to mind. As the sun was setting tonight there was a ring of the door bell.  Quickly there was the sound of small feet running.  There was an unexpected guest at the front door but given the Feast her arrival seemed perfectly timed. 

As I slowly came down the stairs there was a large box being carried in by my daughter.  Surprised by such a large box I wondered if it was really for us.  The children gathered around in excitement at what could be inside.  Upon opening the box the children found it was Our Lady of Fatima.  Among the stuffing a crown which they carefully placed on her head.  The statue was one of three sent to the Children's Rosary as a gift from a Catholic Store owner who had seen the recent Children's Rosary EWTN show and felt called to donate statues of Our Lady.  

It had been four months since the children had packaged a statue of Our Lady and carried her to the post office for a new Children's Rosary group in Timor Leste. 

On this Feast of Bl John Paul II who signed all his letters Totus Tuus ...it was a wonderful grace to find Our Lady unexpectedly at our door.  Pope John Paul has been a wonderful intercessor for the Children's Rosary and this beautiful gift arriving on his feast was just another example of Pope John Paul's tireless efforts to bring young people to Our Heavenly Mother and with her to her Son, Jesus.