Never, ever did I imagine I would live to see an American selected as Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. When I was born Pope Pius XII was the Bishop of Rome. No surprise that the Bishop of Rome, the Pope of the entire Catholic Church worldwide was born in Rome. Although he reigned for just over 19 years, I was 2 when he died. There is nothing about Pope Pius XII that I personally remember.
Next came Pope John XXIII, Pope Paul VI and then John Paul I. His was a very short reign from September 3 to September 28, 1978. My Pope, the man I remember most was John Paul II. But then again, of all the Popes within my lifetime, John Paul II had the greatest influence over me. He truly was the people’s Pope. He was the first Pope in my lifetime that was not also Italian. The last four have not been Italian. Pope Francis was the first Pope not even European. I really don’t know what that means in the greater scheme of things.
Today is the birthday of Karol Józef Wojtyła, the Polish Pope. He became a Deacon of the Church at 26, and less that a month later was ordained as a Priest. Typically the succession from Priest to Pope follows a set path. Priest, Bishop, Cardinal, Pope. Some, like Bishop Wojtyła become Archbishops prior to being elevated to Cardinal. Although this is the customary path to being elected Bishop of Rome, it is not a requirement. Surprisingly enough, the only requirement is that the Pope be a baptized Catholic man. It doesn’t even specify how long he must be Catholic. Any male baptized Catholic, be it cradle or baptize4d last week could in all practality rise to become Pope. Although in the last 500 years the future Pope has also been a cardinal. That might be why we assume only a Cardinal will ever become Pope. Yet when you look at the long history, from Saint Peter forward to have required Popes to be Cardinals would have made things difficult. Peter was the first Pope, and at the time he had but two credentials to his name. He was the chosen leader of the apostles, and he was chosen to found the Catholic Church. Both of these appointments were made by Christ, so I don’t think Peter needed much more going for him.
If ever a Pope deserved sainthood, it was John Paul II. He went to the prison to visit the man who tried to kill him, prayed with him and forgave him. During the height of one of the darkest times in the Church Pope John Paul II insisted that whatever punishment was imposed on priests who had broken their vow of celibacy it needed to come from a place of forgivness. He asked that we find a way to forgive these men for sins so heinous, most of us are revolted by the very thought. And yet in doing so, we were more Christ-like for Jesus was all about forgiveness, no matter how difficult that might be. On the cross Jesus said “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” It can be argued that these priest knew exactly what they were doing. It doesn’t change the fact that their actions came from a broken, evil place within them. Only forgiveness can break the chains of evil.
In the final days of his life, with amazing poise, grace and dignity, Pope John Paul II demonstrated how to die. I pray that when my time comes, I am that composed and ready, able to comfort those I leave behind.
Happy Heavenly Birthday Karol! And a little FYI – I went in search of a dessert that was Polish. When I learned that a Kremówka Papieska was known as the Papal Cream Cake because of his fondness for it, I knew there was no need to search further.
Polish Kremówka Papieska (Papal Cream Cake)
1 sheet frozen Puff Pastry, thawed
2 cups Milk
3 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
5 Egg Yolks
2/3 cup Sugar
1/3 cup Cornstarch
8 tablespoons Butter
Powdered Sugar for dusting
Thaw Puff Pastry according to package directions. Separate egg whites from yolks. Reserve whites for another purpose if desired.
Heat oven to 425-degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
Divide puff pastry sheet into two equal pieces. With a fork poke holes at 1-inch intervals. Place pastry on the prepared baking sheet. Top with parchment paper, then an upside down cooling rack. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove cooling rack and parchment paper; bake an additional 2 minutes longer or until golden brown. Remove from oven; cool completely.
Note: The weight on the puff pastry will create a denser; less puffed up pastry once baked.
In a saucepan over medium-high heat warm milk with vanilla extract almost to the boiling point. Set aside.
In a bowl beat egg yolks with sugar until light yellow and fluffy. Add cornstarch and mix until well combined. VERY SLOWLY (a spoonful at a time to start) add hot milk to the yolk mixture to temper, then add more quickly toward the end, stirring constantly.
Return the mixture to the sauce pan; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until very thick. It should coat the back of a spoon and by running finger through the coating, there should be a visible path. Cool custard to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap pushed down of the top to prevent a skin from forming as it cools. Once the custard is fully cooled, whisk in the softened butter one tablespoon at a time.
Depending on the height of the puff pastry, use one piece as a bottom curst or splitting one to use half as the bottom. Cut pieces of butcher paper and place strips under the bottom pastry. This will make for a clean finish in the end.
Spread pastry cream over the bottom crust; cover with a second puff pastry. Press into place gently, use a spatula to smooth out the sides. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
To serve cut into rectangles with a serrated knife using a light sawing motions without pressure. Dust generously with powdered sugar just before serving.
Happy Heavenly Birthday to a truly saintly man.
I will praise Your name for ever, my king and my God
Welcome to Rosemarie's Kitchen 