St. Thomas More: "I die the King's good servant AND God's first!"

Blood of St. John Paul II is contained in a phial embedded
in the crucifix at the relic shrine on the first floor.
 St. John Paul II, pray for us.

Did you think that quote was "The King's good servant, BUT God's first?" I did. That implies a criticism and break between God and state. More didn't believe that. He told his political enemies he hoped they would "meet merrily in heaven." I'm sure he offered his martyrdom for their conversion. He was a man of eminent charity.

I learned so much more about this great saint by visiting the exhibit at the St. John Paul II Shrine on Harewood Rd. in D.C. The exhibit continues until March 31st (this Friday) when it closes at 5:00 p.m. If you can make it before then GO, GO, GO! It's wonderful.


And while you're there, don't miss the permanent St. John Paul II exhibit and the chapel where a relic (his blood) is visible. You can kneel and touch an object to the glass cover phial that holds his blood. You may also want to attend noon Mass in the beautiful chapel. The mosaics resemble icons and depict events from both the old and the new testaments. What a treasure we have in this shrine just across and up the street from the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

If you can possibly visit before the St. Thomas More exhibit leaves, I urge you to do so. It will be a pilgrimage to meet the martyr up close and personal.