7 Ways to Celebrate Saint John Paul the Great

Want to celebrate the October 22 feast day of Saint John Paul II? Laura Range has you covered! 

“The glory of God is man fully alive,” says Saint Irenaeus (Adversus Haereses 4.20.7). I can think of few men more fully alive than Saint John Paul II. He lost most of his immediate family by age 21, secretly became a priest in Nazi-occupied Poland, and survived an assassination. Yet despite these difficulties, he was full of life and holiness. 

His talents were many — playwright, poet, athlete, actor, writer — and he had an ability to connect in such an authentic way to everyone he met. All of this flowed from his deep love for God and the Church. As his feast day approaches on October 22nd, here are 7 ways we can celebrate his life and example. May Saint John Paul II intercede for us and our families to fully become who God made us to be!

Eat Pierogi for Dinner 

Pierogi are a traditional food from Poland, where John Paul (Karol Wojtyla before he became pope) lived. If you are feeling adventurous you can make them from scratch, but you can also pick up a package from the frozen section of your grocery or try this very easy and frugal recipe for Pierogi Casserole!

Read Poetry 

Saint John Paul II appreciated, as well as wrote, beautiful poetry. If you have young ones, you can read nursery rhymes and simple poetry together in his honor. If you have older children, it is worth looking up some of the poetry he wrote, such as The Place Within. From that collection, I recommend “Song of the Brightness of Water,” a stirring reflection on Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well.

Watch The Jeweller’s Shop 

The Jeweller’s Shop (1988) is a movie based on the play written by Saint John Paul II. It would be best appreciated by older children and adults for its themes on love and marriage and commitment, although younger children can certainly join the movie night since there is nothing inappropriate. If you are an Anne of Green Gables fan, you will enjoy seeing the actor who plays GIlbert Blythe (Jonathan Crombie) co-starring in the movie!

Listen to the Saints Alive Podcast 

Saints Alive podcasts are wonderful audio dramas of the saints. They have a three-part series on Saint John Paul II that the whole family would enjoy. The episodes are geared toward elementary- and middle-school children, but they do contain content about the death of his family, his time in Nazi-occupied Poland, and the assassination attempt, so be aware for any younger children’s sensitivity.

Color a Picture of the Saint 

CatholicMom.com has a coloring page of Saint John Paul II that you and your children can color together and then display — perhaps while listening to the podcast above! Scroll down to October for the link to the printable page! 

Go on a Hike as a Family 

Saint John Paul II loved the outdoors and appreciated how the beauty of nature could draw us to God. He was athletic and loved to hike, ski, swim, and kayak. Find a local trail or walking path and take time as a family to praise God for His creation. Pray a Rosary (or just a decade!) as you hike together.

Adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament 

We can’t talk about Saint John Paul II without talking about the Eucharist. His devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist and the Mass was what He called the “secret of his day” (Address to the Young People of Bologna, Italy, on September 27, 1997). It is truly what sustained him and made him the great saint that he is. If you have a Perpetual Adoration chapel near you, take your family to spend some time before the Lord. If not, you can also visit Him in the tabernacle of your church. He waits for you there with love.

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Copyright 2026 Laura Range
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