Shrines show love, respect of many for John Paul IIFor the love of John Paul IIOrnate or simple, shrines demonstrate love and respect of many for late pontiffPATRICIA C. JOHNSON, Copyright 2005 Houston ChroniclePublished 05:30 a.m., Saturday, April 9, 2005Comments (0)Larger | SmallerPrintable VersionEmail ThisFontThe central image of a memorial to Pope John Paul II at the University of St. Thomas came off the dorm-room wall of a freshman.Meris Chaumont has treasured the large poster for years, ever since she got it as a birthday present from her best friend when Chaumont turned 16 in 2001."He was one of my biggest heroes," Chaumont said of the pope. "I want to eventually emulate him."Her roommate has a poster of the pope, too — but also of rock bands, Christian ones, like theNewsboys, Chaumont said. "They're not cute," Chaumont said, laughing, "but their music is amazing!"The memorial was conceived and installed by students at the entrance to the Chapel of St. Basil. It is a heartfelt commemoration in three parts.The principal component is a collage of images of the photogenic and charismatic pope during the 26 years of his papacy, plus a black-and-white portrait of Karol Wojtyla, the future pope, as a young man in Poland.Beneath this spontaneous retablo — retablos traditionally illustrate the lives of saints — is a table loaded with votive candles. Vases filled with red roses, yellow daisies and white carnations are refreshed daily.The third component is the most moving. It is a message board filled with the students' personal notes to the pope. Prayers and words of affection cover the surface:"You inspired so many as an example of Christ. God Bless.""Papa, here's my love."Chaumont, a theology major, summarized the expressed emotions: "Anyone who is Catholic and young would want to strive to be like him."The university students were not alone in their desire to honor the pope.Pope memorabilia sold quickly at area religious stores after John Paul's death. Catholic churches throughout the archdiocese also displayed portraits of the pope, draping them in black bunting."Although I'm not Catholic, I, like people from other religions, respected his position on world peace," said Katie Koenig, who created small commemorate works of the pope at her Bellaire Bead Shop, 5208 Bellaire Blvd. "John Paul II said it best when he emphasized the cross, saying the cross is a symbol of God's love. These medallions are my artistic interpretation of that."Normally, Macario Ramirez builds memorial altars only for the Day of the Dead, which is celebrated Nov. 1 and 2. The pope's death, however, prompted him to do something now."His contributions were enormous to the Catholic church and to the world," Ramirez said. "I wanted to honor him."The altar is near the entrance to Casa Ramirez Imports, his shop at 241 W. 19th. Some components were contributed by customers and friends at Ramirez's invitation; most came from the shop's shelves.The altar, which was blessed Friday by Monsignor Adam McClosky of All Saints Catholic Church, will be on view through April 26.patricia.johnson@chron.com
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