Justice in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Saint John Paul II
(Karol Jσzef Wojtyla)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 19, 2025
1. Saint John Paul II Marker
Papacy October 16, 1978 to April 2, 2005
Canonized April 27, 2014
Feast Day October 22nd
Erected 2016 by Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is May 18, 1920.
Location. 41° 45.42′ N, 87° 49.641′ W. Marker is in Justice, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Archer Road south of Heather Trail. The statue is in section 29 of Resurrection Cemetery, about a Ό-mile due south of the cemetery's Archer Road entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7201 Archer Road, Justice IL 60458, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Resurrection Cemetery (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Resurrection Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Old Glory (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. Ύ mile away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx.
this page online
More about this marker. The statue was dedicated on Memorial Day 2016 by Chicago's archbishop, Cardinal Blase Cupich, in front of about 2,500 attendees. According to the cemetery, the statue weighs 8,000 pounds and rests upon an 86,000-pound black granite base. Indiana-based artist Teresa Clark, known for other notable statues of religious figures, designed the statue, which was cast by Crucible Foundry of Norman, Oklahoma.
A series of markers encircling the statue of the cemetery highlight some notable locations from John Paul II's Chicago visits.
Regarding Saint John Paul II. Prior to his election as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, John Paul II made two notable visits to Resurrection Cemetery, which had opened in 1904 to serve Chicago's rapidly growing Polish population. In 1969, when he was Cardinal Wojtyla of Krakow, Poland, he visited this cemetery to bless a shrine commemorating the 1,000th anniversary of Christianity in Poland. Seven years later, Cardinal Wojtyla returned among 16 Polish
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 19, 2025
2. Saint John Paul II statue
Cardinal Wojtyla was elected as pope in 1978 and took the name John Paul II; he was the first Polish pope and the first non-Italian to hold the position since the early 1500s. About a year later, in October 1979, John Paul II became the first pope to visit the United States. During that trip, he returned to Chicago, known for its huge population of Polish immigrants.
Also see . . .
1. Resurrection Cemetery official site.
Excerpt: "On Memorial Day of 2016, Archbishop of Chicago, Blase Cupich, celebrated Mass and blessed the 20-foot-tall bronze statue of Saint Pope John Paul II in front of approximately 2,500 people. During his reflection, the Archbishop called for everyone in attendance to live by the Saints example - to live life more fully, more simply and see that there is always a little bit of humor in everyones life."(Submitted on January 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Second to None: Pope John Paul IIs Visit to Chicago, 1979. The Archdiocese of Chicago reviews its archives for photos and information about John Paul II's visit to Chicago in 1979.
Excerpt: "However, if you were in Chicago in October of 1979, you saw exactly that. 40 years ago, Pope John Paul(Submitted on January 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)II came to the city of Chicagoan extraordinary event which saw an outpouring of devotion and excitement throughout the city. John Paul IIs visit affected not only Catholics. City government, local businesses, and faith leaders came together in a display of unity and cooperation. At the ground level, hundreds of thousands thronged familiar streets, parks, and churches to catch a glimpse, or hear a word from the vicar of Christ."Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 19, 20253. Saint John Paul II statue
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 19, 2025
4. Pope John Paul II at Five Holy Martyrs
Markers like these, encircling the statue, highlight key moments of John Paul II's time in Chicago. This one features an image of his visit to Five Holy Martyrs Parish on Chicago's southwest side, a major church for Catholics of Polish heritage.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 204 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
